Service Guide

U.S. Business Formation, Investment and Visa-Focused Consulting Services

BizHouston helps international entrepreneurs and investors prepare for U.S. company formation, market entry, business operations, and visa-focused pathways such as E-2, L-1 and EB-5.

Category 1

Visa and Immigration-Focused Business Preparation

Business formation, investment planning and operational preparation support for investors and entrepreneurs preparing for E-2, L-1, EB-5 and other business-based visa pathways.

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

Support for entrepreneurs preparing for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa through U.S. business formation, investment planning, E-2 business plan preparation and operational readiness.

Who It's For
  • Entrepreneurs investing in a U.S. business
  • Business owners seeking U.S. presence
  • Investors exploring E-2 suitable models
Key Outcomes
  • E-2 business plan preparation
  • U.S. company formation
  • E-2 suitable business model selection
  • Operational readiness

L-1 Company Transfer

Support for business owners and executives transferring their international company to the U.S. through L-1 intracompany transfer visa planning.

Who It's For
  • Business owners with companies abroad
  • Companies opening U.S. branches
  • Transferring executives
Key Outcomes
  • U.S. entity formation
  • Office and warehouse planning
  • Operational roadmap

EB-5 Investor Green Card

Investment planning and operational preparation support for investors seeking U.S. permanent residency through the EB-5 program.

Who It's For
  • Investors seeking U.S. permanent residency
  • Families planning to relocate
  • Large-scale investors
Key Outcomes
  • EB-5 process roadmap
  • Investment structure planning
  • Job creation guidance

L-1 to Green Card

Operational and business development support for L-1 visa holders transitioning toward permanent residency (EB-1C Green Card).

Who It's For
  • L-1 visa holders in the U.S.
  • Those targeting EB-1C green card
Key Outcomes
  • L-1 to Green Card roadmap
  • U.S. operations strengthening

E-1 Treaty Trader Visa

Business preparation support for companies conducting substantial trade between treaty countries and the United States under the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa.

Who It's For
  • Exporters and importers
  • Companies trading between U.S. and treaty countries
Key Outcomes
  • Trade volume assessment
  • Company structure planning

Comparison

E-2, L-1 and EB-5: Which Pathway Fits You?

A general comparison of the three main business-based U.S. visa and residency pathways. The right route depends on your capital, existing company structure and goals.

E-2 Treaty Investor VisaL-1 Company TransferEB-5 Green Card
Visa typeTemporary (non-immigrant)Temporary (non-immigrant)Permanent residency (Green Card)
Typical investmentOften $50,000–$200,000+ (no fixed legal minimum)No direct investment requirement; transfer of an existing businessMin. $800,000 (TEA) or $1.05M
Who it's forInvestors and entrepreneurs from treaty-eligible countriesOwners and executives with a company abroadLarge-scale investors seeking permanent residency
Job expectationReal, active business; job creation contribution expectedQualifying corporate structure (branch / affiliate / subsidiary)10 full-time U.S. employees
Duration / validityRenewable periods (typically 2 years)L-1A up to 7 years, L-1B up to 5 yearsConditional Green Card → permanent Green Card
FamilySpouse work authorization (E-2S), children's study rightsSpouse work authorization, children's study rightsGreen Card for spouse and children under 21
Green Card pathNot direct; a separate process is requiredPossible via L-1A → EB-1CThe program itself leads to a Green Card

Figures and timelines are general information only; regulations and consular practice may change over time. Every case is individual — consult a licensed immigration attorney for legal evaluation.

Category 2

U.S. Company Formation and Operations

Comprehensive services for entrepreneurs looking to form a U.S. company, plan operations, and access accounting and legal support.

U.S. Company Formation

Roadmap for domestic and foreign-owned entrepreneurs forming an LLC or corporation in the U.S., covering state selection, entity type, EIN and compliance.

Who It's For
  • Entrepreneurs starting a U.S. business
  • People forming LLC or Corp
  • Foreign-owned businesses
Key Outcomes
  • Company formation roadmap
  • EIN guidance
  • Compliance overview

CPA and Legal Referral

Tax professional (CPA), accounting and immigration attorney referrals for your U.S. company, along with bookkeeping coordination and compliance reminders.

Who It's For
  • New U.S. companies
  • Foreign-owned LLCs
  • Small businesses
Key Outcomes
  • Tax professional referral
  • Bookkeeping coordination
  • Compliance reminders

Commercial Property

Evaluation and referral services for businesses seeking commercial property, warehouse or office space in Houston and Texas.

Who It's For
  • Businesses seeking warehouse space
  • Office space seekers
  • E-2 and L-1 applicants
Key Outcomes
  • Property evaluation support
  • emlakhouston.com referral
  • Location analysis

Warehouse and Logistics

Houston-based warehouse and logistics setup guidance for businesses planning product storage, distribution, order fulfillment or logistics operations.

Who It's For
  • Import and export companies
  • E-commerce businesses
  • Logistics companies
Key Outcomes
  • Warehouse setup guide
  • Houston logistics advantages
  • Property search via emlakhouston.com
Commercial Property Partner

Warehouse Lease or Purchase in Houston

E-2 or L-1 visa applications typically require a physical business location. Find commercial warehouse and industrial properties across Houston and Texas via emlakhouston.com.

Category 3

U.S. Market Entry and Sales Development

For companies bringing products or services to the U.S. market, building buyer and distributor networks, or acquiring a franchise or existing business.

U.S. Market Entry

Market research, strategy and operational preparation consulting for companies bringing their products or services to the U.S. market.

Who It's For:

  • International companies
  • Exporters to the U.S.
  • New market entrants

Buyer, Dealer and Distributor Development

Connection building and market access support for companies seeking to develop buyer, distributor or dealer networks in the U.S.

Who It's For:

  • Exporters
  • Manufacturers
  • Wholesale businesses

Franchise or Business Acquisition

Consulting for investors seeking to acquire a franchise or existing business with an established customer base, brand recognition and operational systems.

Who It's For:

  • Investors seeking turnkey operations
  • Brand-focused investors
  • E-2 business seekers

Category 4

Houston and Texas-Focused Support

Support for businesses planning U.S. operations, leveraging Houston and Texas's logistics, commercial property and local operations advantages.

Houston Commercial Property Options

Commercial property evaluation support across Houston and Texas for warehouse, office or retail space.

Warehouse and Logistics Planning

Houston-based guidance for businesses planning product storage, distribution and logistics operations.

Local Operational Preparation

Local process and compliance support for businesses establishing daily operations in the U.S.

Business Location Planning

Location analysis and property referrals matched to your business's operational needs.

Business Models That May Fit an E-2 Visa Strategy

Examples of business models investors may consider when planning an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa application. Each investment must be individually assessed.

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Turo / Car Rental Operation

A car rental model designed to generate revenue through Turo while also building a dedicated company website for direct reservations. Vehicle acquisition, fleet planning, insurance, maintenance, pricing, customer management and website-based booking infrastructure can be planned together.

Who It's For: Entrepreneurs who want to invest in vehicles, build their own car rental brand and actively manage local operations

E-2 Consideration: May be evaluated as an E-2 business model when active management, real operations, capital deployment, website-supported customer acquisition and growth planning are properly structured.

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Car Hauling

A car hauling model for investors who want to operate single-car or light vehicle transport using an appropriate vehicle and trailer combination. This model may be structured as a self-employed or owner-operator business and may focus on dealer delivery, auction vehicle transfers, individual vehicle transport or local logistics needs.

Who It's For: Investors who want to actively operate their own car hauling business, work as an owner-operator, or serve dealer delivery, auction transfer and local vehicle transport needs

E-2 Consideration: May be evaluated in an E-2 business plan when equipment investment, active operations, customer acquisition, insurance, maintenance planning and growth strategy are clearly documented. When properly structured, it may be a practical business model because of direct operational control and relatively lean staffing needs.

Licensing Note: This model may be considered for non-CDL or non-CDL-targeted light car hauling operations; however, CDL requirements may vary based on the vehicle and trailer combination, GVWR/GCWR weight ratings, operation type, intrastate or interstate activity and federal/state rules. Licensing, insurance and DOT/FMCSA requirements should be verified before investment.

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Franchise or Existing Business Acquisition

May be considered for investors who want to enter the U.S. market through an existing customer base, brand recognition, operating system and business history.

Who It's For: Suitable for investors who prefer starting with an existing business structure, customer base, employees and operating history rather than building everything from scratch. A franchise or existing business acquisition may be considered by entrepreneurs seeking a more controlled entry into the U.S. market.

E-2 Consideration: May be a strong E-2 business model when active management, traceable investment, real and operating business activity, staffing needs and growth potential are properly documented. Before acquisition, financial records, lease terms, licenses, employees and business sustainability should be reviewed carefully.

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Logistics, Warehouse or Distribution Business

May be considered for investors planning warehousing, distribution, order preparation, import-export support services or B2B logistics operations.

Who It's For: Suitable for investors who want to build warehouse operations, product distribution, fulfillment, import-export support or local delivery networks. It may be a strategic option for entrepreneurs who want to benefit from Houston's port, highway and trade infrastructure.

E-2 Consideration: Because physical operations, equipment use, warehouse or commercial space needs, customer contracts and staffing plans can be clearly shown, this model may be presented as a concrete and measurable E-2 business. Real operations, revenue channels and growth planning should be prepared in detail.

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Service-Based Businesses

May be considered for consulting, cleaning, maintenance, repair, marketing, digital services or other locally operated service businesses.

Who It's For: Suitable for entrepreneurs with specific expertise, professional experience or management ability. It may work for investors seeking lower inventory needs, flexible startup costs and a growth model based on customer relationships.

E-2 Consideration: For service businesses, the active managerial role, customer acquisition strategy, marketing plan, contracts, staffing needs and revenue model should be clearly documented. For E-2 purposes, the business should be structured as a real operating company with growth and job creation potential, not merely as self-employment.

Cafe, Restaurant or Food Business

May be considered for investors seeking a physical location, staff-based operations and daily customer-facing business activity; however, rent, licensing, costs and operations must be analyzed carefully.

Who It's For: Suitable for investors who want to operate a food, restaurant, cafe or franchise-style physical business and actively manage daily operations. It may fit entrepreneurs prepared to handle location selection, rent, equipment, staff, suppliers and licensing requirements.

E-2 Consideration: A physical food business may provide a concrete E-2 model through capital deployment, equipment investment, staffing needs and daily operations. However, lease terms, permits, cost planning, staffing, profitability projections and operational sustainability must be carefully prepared.

Important Note: These examples do not guarantee E-2 eligibility or visa approval. Each investment must be evaluated based on capital commitment, active business operations, job creation potential, investor role, use of funds and overall business plan strength. For legal evaluation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

EB-5 Investor Green Card

Permanent Residency

Green Card — For Your Entire Family

The EB-5 program is a pathway for investors seeking U.S. permanent residency through investment. It requires a minimum $800,000 investment (in TEA areas) and the creation of 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Coverage extends to the entire family (spouse and children under 21).

BizHouston provides a roadmap for investment planning and operational preparation in the EB-5 process. Working with a licensed immigration attorney for legal proceedings is recommended.

Quick Summary

TEA Area$800K
Non-TEA$1.05M
Jobs10+
ResultGreen Card

Popular Business and Visa Pathways

Frequently Asked Service Questions

Which service should I start with for U.S. business formation?

In most cases, U.S. company formation is the right starting point. The structure may vary depending on your visa pathway (E-2, L-1). A free assessment call can help map the right service to your situation.

Why is an E-2 business plan important for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?

USCIS requires evidence that the business is real and active, that the investment is at risk, and that the investor is actively involved. An E-2 business plan is the primary document used to demonstrate all of these requirements.

Which business models may fit an E-2 visa strategy?

Franchise acquisitions, e-commerce businesses, logistics and warehouse operations, service businesses, cafes and restaurants, and transportation operations are commonly evaluated for E-2. Eligibility must be assessed individually based on capital, active operations and business plan strength.

Does an L-1 company transfer require a U.S. office?

Yes. An L-1 visa requires a qualifying U.S. employer entity (affiliate, subsidiary or branch) to be established. BizHouston provides guidance on U.S. company formation and office or warehouse planning.

Why does EB-5 require investment and operational planning?

The EB-5 program requires a minimum $800,000 investment and the creation of 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Investment structure, source of funds documentation and a business plan are critical components of the USCIS review.

Which businesses need warehouse or commercial property support in Houston?

E-2 and L-1 visa applications typically require a physical business location. Additionally, logistics, e-commerce, import-export and manufacturing operations all depend on warehouse and commercial property decisions as a core operational requirement.

Which Service Fits Your Situation?

General information only — not legal advice. For personal case evaluation, please schedule a consultation.