How to Get an USA Entrepreneur Visa in 2025

55% of America’s billion-dollar startups have an immigrant founder. The US is a prime destination for entrepreneurs due to its startup ecosystem, access to funding, and growth opportunities.

You, too, want to land in this country fuelled by dreams of opportunities, so you’re considering applying for an entrepreneur visa.

Here are a few ways to get a visa to start or expand your businesses in the United States:

• O-1A visa: This is also known as the startup visa. It’s designed for people with exceptional skills in business or science
• L-1 visa: Popular among founders who have worked abroad in a managerial role for at least a year to transfer to a US company
• International entrepreneur rule: This rule permits foreign entrepreneurs to stay legally in the US for 30 months (with renewal)

However, entrepreneurs often face challenges due to the complex US visa requirements and overwhelming paperwork, which can lead to mistakes or incomplete submissions. If you hire an immigration attorney, they may charge high fees and often overlook startups’ unique needs.

This results in delays or denials of getting a visa, leading to frustration.

That’s where Deel, a leading immigration service, comes in to guide you on how to get an entrepreneur visa USA, reducing the risk of complications and delays.

We take care of most parts of your visa process, including checking eligibility, filling out application forms, and submitting them.

Read on to see what the visa process looks like and which problems Deel can solve.

Select the correct visa as per your situation

If you want to start your business in the US, you’ll need work authorization. You can initially enter the US on a tourist visa, conduct market research, attend meetings, meet with investors and clients, and negotiate contracts.

However, doing anything beyond these tasks could be viewed as ‘violating your status.’ That’s where a proper work authorization comes in.

As an entrepreneur looking to start a business in the United States, there are many visa options to consider. At Deel, O-1 visas are the most popular choice for founders, with a 40% increase in applications year-to-date.

The visa options provide various pathways to establish and grow your businesses in the United States.

With multiple visa options, you may feel overwhelmed. So consult with an immigration service like Deel Immigration to identify the optimal visa route for you.

Our team provides comprehensive guidance and support, simplifying the visa process and making it stress-free. You will no longer be in the dark during the visa application process.

Prepare the supporting documents to complete your application

Many US startup visas require proof that your business is viable and able to scale. This means you have to prepare a lot more paperwork.

Since every business is different, US immigration tends to consider each applicant on their merits. You have freedom over which supporting documents to include and how to present your case.

However, the lack of standardization can make it hard to determine whether you’ve met requirements.

Deel’s in-house team of immigration experts can handle your entire application process for a fast and seamless process. We’ll take care of the paperwork, categorize it correctly, help with consular visa stamping, and give you and your family one-on-one support.

We can also help you draft a compelling report or proposal, as we have professional immigration experts. They have undergone the process many times and know what USCIS officials are looking for.

When you partner with us, you’ll get all updates, expected completion dates, and personal notes available in the Deel dashboard.

Submit your application

Once all your important documents are ready, it’s time to apply for your visa application. The process involves submitting the application form, paying a visa application fee, and attending a visa interview.

Visa processing takes two to six months. However, it can take longer if USCIS finds your application is incomplete and requests additional evidence.

During this period, the immigration authorities will review your application and supporting documents. At this step, the authorities check your documents’ authenticity and eligibility and conduct any necessary background checks. The processing time can vary widely depending on the specific visa type.

With the Deel Immigration platform, you can track the progress of your application in real time. Once you log into the platform, the dashboard displays your current visa application status, including any updates or outstanding tasks that need your attention. This keeps you informed throughout the application process.

You are also assigned a dedicated case manager who can answer your questions during the application process. If you have a question, contact your case manager directly via the platform or email.

Extend your stay and renew your visa without hassle

Acquiring a visa is the first step. However, renewing and extending visas is equally important to stay compliant with the law. This ensures you and your dependents maintain legal status in the host country.

However, navigating renewals and extensions comes with many challenges due to changing immigration policies, evolving documentation requirements, and potential complications that may arise during the process.

Deel makes the visa renewal and extension process easier with features like:

• Notify about upcoming due dates for renewal or extension
• Help you extend your stay
• Quality guidance from Deel’s in-house visa and immigration experts

Learn more about Deel's visa renewal and extension assistance, including how it can streamline the visa renewal procedure for dependents. With Deel stay, you can be ahead of any legal changes and renewal dates—before it’s too late.

Relocate your family successfully

Managing visa applications is a complex task, especially when you have multiple dependent applications involved. This process can become even more overwhelming for you and your dependents if they are not fluent in English.

Dealing with government officials and paperwork can be confusing and frustrating.

The documentation requirements for dependent visas can be quite extensive. You may need to provide a variety of documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, dependent passports, educational transcripts, and financial statements to prove you have financial resources.

This process can be stressful for you. That’s where Deel Immigration comes in for help.

Deel Immigration is the leading US immigration provider and can help you and your dependents move to the United States by streamlining the application process for non-US citizens.

Deel offers a range of US visa and green card options for your dependents, including the O-3 Visa for dependents of O-1 visa holders and the EB-2 NIW Green Card for those eligible based on their qualifications and contributions to the national interest.

Please note your spouse cannot work while they hold an O-3 visa, as this visa does not grant work authorization. The O-3 visa is for the dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21) of O-1 visa holders, allowing them to live in the US but forbidding them from working.

To legally work in the US, your spouse must change their status to a work-authorized visa, such as an H-1B visa, or not work while staying in the US.

It's best to talk to Deel’s immigration team, who have extensive knowledge of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines and Department of Homeland Security requirements.

They can guide you through the process and help you figure out the right options to avoid breaking any US laws.

Bonus tip: When you use Deel, you’re embedding your business into a platform that also helps it to grow by simplifying your operations. With Deel, you can:

• Hire talent legally from anywhere in the world using Deel's Employer of Record (EOR) and Contractor of Record services
• Pay your workers easily with Deel's payroll and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) solutions
• Manage a global team effectively with Deel's HR tools and Deel Engage platform
• Stay compliant in the US and other countries with Deel’s Compliance Hub

Fast-track your US entrepreneur visa with Deel

There’s no doubt you’re impatient to take the next step. However, navigating all the eligibility criteria, paperwork, and appointments can slow you down.

Partnering with Deel Immigration can speed up the visa process and ensure a smooth relocation to the US. Deel supports you from the initial consultation until you receive the visa and beyond.

With Deel, entrepreneurs can expect

• Free visa assessments to see which categories you’re eligible for
• Speed up the process with our immigration lawyers
• An application status timeline to track your progress in real-time
• Access to a dedicated case manage
• Provide 100% visibility over immigration management within one simple dashboard
• Step-by-step entity setup

With a 98% application approval rate, Deel is the top US immigration provider. Connect with the Deel Immigration team to learn more about it. Book a demo here.