USA Startup Visa: application guide for UK founders

For UK entrepreneurs, launching a business in the US means choosing the right visa pathway before anything else. Each route comes with different investment thresholds, eligibility criteria, and residency outcomes, so the financial planning starts earlier than most people expect.

This guide breaks down the main routes available to UK founders and what each one requires financially. If moving capital from GBP to USD is part of your plan, Wise Business lets you do it at the mid-market rate with fees shown upfront. And with USD account details, you can send and receive money as if you locally traded in the states.

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Key takeaways

What is a US startup visa for UK entrepreneurs?

The US does not offer a single visa category called a Startup Visa. Instead, UK entrepreneurs can use several established visa pathways to launch and operate a business in the US

The primary options for startup founders include:¹

• The International Entrepreneur Rule (IER)
• The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
• The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

Your choice depends on your available capital, business model, and whether you want temporary or permanent residency. Each pathway also involves sending money internationally, and exchange rate fluctuations can affect whether your transfer meets the minimum dollar thresholds.

Why these pathways matter to UK founders

Post-Brexit, UK entrepreneurs no longer benefit from freedom of movement, which means there is no straightforward route to living and working in the US without a visa. These three pathways fill that gap, each designed for a different stage of growth and level of capital commitment.

For early-stage founders with venture backing, the IER offers a faster entry point without requiring personal capital. For those with significant funds and long-term residency goals, the EB-5 provides a direct route to a Green Card. And for entrepreneurs who want to operate a US business without committing to permanent residency, the E-2 offers flexibility and renewability.

What are the requirements for the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER)?

The IER pathway is for founders of US startups with high growth potential. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants temporary permission, or 'parole', to stay in the US to grow your business. The initial period is 2.5 years, with a possible 2.5-year extension.²

Key eligibility criteria include the following:²

• You must have formed a US startup within the last five years.
• You must have at least a 10% ownership stake at the time of application, reducing to 5% if you apply for a reparole extension.
• You must play a central and active role in the business.
• Your startup must show potential for rapid growth and job creation.
• Your startup must have secured at least $311,071 from qualified US investors or have other reliable evidence of your startup's potential.

Securing and transferring these investment funds efficiently is a crucial part of the process. Therefore it’s important to leverage a cost-effective and reliable way to manage any GBP to USD payments, and vice versa. Wise Business shows you the exact fee before the transfer goes out, so there are no surprises about how much reaches your US account. And with Wise Business Advanced, for a one time fee of £50 you can access USD account details, enabling you to send and receive money like a locally trading US business with no fees.

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What are the requirements for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?

The EB-5 program offers a direct path to a US Green Card through capital investment in a US commercial enterprise.⁴ It suits founders with significant personal capital who want permanent residency rather than temporary parole.

The investment thresholds are:³

• $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise.
• $800,000 if the enterprise is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is a rural area or one with high unemployment.

Additional requirements include:⁴

• The investment must be fully at risk, with no guaranteed return
• The enterprise must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying US workers
• Applicants file Form I-526E with USCIS

For UK founders moving large sums from GBP to USD, transfer costs compound quickly at this scale. Wise Business lets you see the full cost of the transfer before it goes out, so you can plan your capital commitment accurately.

What are the requirements for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?

The E-2 is a non-immigrant visa available to UK citizens, as the US and UK maintain a qualifying commerce treaty. It lets you live and work in the US based on a substantial investment in a US business, with no fixed minimum amount required.⁵

Key E-2 requirements include:⁵

• The investment must be substantial relative to the total cost of the business, with no fixed minimum. In practice, most qualifying investments start at around $100,000
• The business must be a real, active commercial enterprise generating more than a living wage for the investor
• The investor must enter the US to develop and direct the business, typically demonstrated by holding at least 50% ownership
• The investment funds must be irrevocably committed and at risk

The E-2 visa is typically granted for up to two years and can be extended. It does not offer a direct path to permanent residency.

How do UK entrepreneurs apply for US startup visas?

The application process is detailed and requires careful preparation. Following a structured approach can help streamline the journey.

Step 1: Choose your visa pathway

First, assess your eligibility for the IER, EB-5, and E-2 visas. Your choice will depend on your available investment capital, business type, and whether you seek temporary or permanent residency in the US

Step 2: Prepare your business plan

A comprehensive business plan is critical for all entrepreneur visa applications. It must detail your executive summary, market analysis, organisational structure, and financial projections. For the IER and EB-5, it must also clearly outline job creation and growth potential.

Step 3: Secure funding and Proof of Funds

Every pathway requires you to prove the lawful source of your investment capital through financial statements, bank records, and a documented paper trail. For UK founders, this also involves converting GBP to USD, which introduces exchange rate risk. You can use Wise for international payments at a transparent rate and clear fees, helping to protect capital during the transfer process.

Step 4: Gather required documentation

Compile all necessary documents. This typically includes personal identification, UK business registration documents (e.g., from Companies House), financial statements, tax records, and detailed proof of your investment funds. Ensure all documents are translated into English if necessary.

Step 5: File your petition with USCIS

Submit the appropriate petition for your chosen pathway. The IER uses Form I-941,² the EB-5 uses Form I-526 or I-526E,⁶ and the E-2 uses Form I-129 if applying from within the US,⁵ or Form DS-160 through a US consulate abroad.⁷

Check the USCIS fee schedule directly before filing, as EB-5 fees are currently subject to change following a November 2025 court ruling.

Step 6: Attend interviews and biometrics

Depending on the visa, you may be required to attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. You will also likely need to provide biometrics, including fingerprints and a photograph.

Step 7: Post-approval steps

Once approved, you will receive a visa stamp in your passport. You can then make arrangements to travel to the US and begin operating your business.

What are the common pitfalls for UK entrepreneurs seeking a US startup visa?

Most application failures come down to the same handful of mistakes. Here is what to watch out for:

• Currency risk on large transfers: GBP to USD exchange rate fluctuations can affect whether your transfer meets the minimum USD threshold, particularly for the IER and EB-5. Factor in the full transfer cost before you commit to a figure. Wise Business shows you the exact fee before the transfer goes out, so there are no surprises on arrival.
• A weak business plan: This is the most common reason for rejection across all three pathways. Your plan needs to be commercially realistic, backed by market data, and specific about job creation and growth projections where required. A generic template will not pass scrutiny.
• An unclear source of funds: USCIS examines where your investment capital comes from. Every pound needs a paper trail, bank statements, tax records, and documentation showing the funds were obtained legally. Gaps in that trail raise red flags regardless of how strong the rest of your application is.
• Misunderstanding your visa terms: The IER and E-2 are non-immigrant visas with no direct path to a Green Card. The EB-5 is an immigrant visa that leads to permanent residency. Confusing the two, or breaching the conditions of your specific category, can result in termination of your status.

Go global in the US with Wise Business

If you're moving capital from the UK to the US as part of your visa application, Wise Business takes the guesswork out of what you'll actually pay. Send money in 40+ currencies, hold balances in GBP and USD from one account, and get local account details in 8+ currencies so you can receive and make payments without unnecessary conversions.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://wise.com/gb/interest/ to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

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*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

FAQs

Can a UK citizen get a startup visa for the US?

Yes. UK citizens can apply through three main pathways: the International Entrepreneur Rule, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. The UK's existing commerce treaty with the US makes UK founders eligible for the E-2, which is not available to citizens of all countries.

Can I bring my family with me on a US entrepreneur visa?

Yes, on all three pathways. E-2 and IER applicants can bring spouses and unmarried children under 21 as dependants. Spouses of E-2 visa holders can apply for work authorisation in the US. EB-5 investors can include spouses and unmarried children under 21 in their Green Card application.

What is the difference between an E-2 and EB-5 visa?

The E-2 is a non-immigrant visa that allows you to live and work in the US to run your business. It is renewable but does not lead directly to permanent residency. The EB-5 is an immigrant visa that leads to a Green Card (permanent residency) based on a larger capital investment and job creation.

Is it difficult to get a US startup visa for UK residents?

The process is challenging due to strict eligibility criteria and extensive documentation requirements. A strong business plan and thorough preparation are essential for a successful application.

Sources used:

1. Options for alien entrepreneurs to work in the United States – USCIS
2. International Entrepreneur Rule – USCIS
3. About the EB-5 Visa classification – USCIS
4. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program – USCIS
5. E-2 Treaty investors – USCIS
6. I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor – USCIS
7. DS-160: Online nonimmigrant visa application – US Department of State

Sources last checked: 26th May 2026