Many entrepreneurs dream of expanding their businesses to the United States, but visa obstacles often prove daunting. This was the reality for Mr. Wang, general manager of a Beijing-based fire safety products company, when he decided to establish his brand in the American market as part of his global expansion strategy.

Mr. Wang initially entered the U.S. on a B-1 business visa, where he laid the groundwork for his company. He secured a compact yet functional office space and focused on product development, quickly producing working prototypes. During this period, he also hired a marketing specialist—a strategic move that would later support his L-1 visa application for intracompany transfers.

The greatest challenges emerged from the inherent limitations of a startup operation. While Mr. Wang's U.S. subsidiary planned to employ approximately ten staff members, the company's early-stage status raised concerns about meeting immigration requirements. To address potential scrutiny from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the company incorporated specific contractual provisions to respond to possible requests for additional evidence.

In a decisive move just one week before his B-1 visa expiration, Mr. Wang submitted his L-1 visa application. The petition was approved after just ten days of processing—remarkably without any requests for supplemental documentation. This swift approval enabled Mr. Wang to transition seamlessly from visitor status to CEO of his American operation.

This case study offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs navigating the complex intersection of business expansion and immigration compliance. It demonstrates that with careful planning and strategic preparation, even young companies can successfully establish operations in the competitive U.S. market.