UK → U.S.

From the UK to the United States

If you study, work or have naturalised in the UK and want to move to the United States, these are the most common routes. The U.S. side is planned and handled by Wang Law Firm's U.S.-licensed attorney.

We provide this service directly. Wang Law Firm, LLC is a law firm in Chicago, and our managing attorney is licensed in the United States. You can engage us for U.S. visas, green cards and cross-border tax.

E-2 TREATY INVESTOR

E-2 treaty investor visa

The UK is an E-2 treaty country. British citizens who invest in and run a real business in the U.S. can apply for an E-2; spouses can work and children can attend school.

Who it suits

Business owners who have become British citizens
British citizens opening or buying a U.S. business

Key points

You must be a British citizen; ILR holders who are still Chinese nationals cannot apply on the UK basis
The investment must be substantial and committed, and the business real, not marginal
E-2 does not lead directly to a green card; plan long-term status separately

L-1 INTRACOMPANY

L-1 intracompany transfer

Managers and specialists at a UK company can be transferred by a related U.S. company (parent, subsidiary, branch). Nationality does not matter, so UK visa or ILR holders qualify too.

Who it suits

Employees with a year in a managerial or specialist role at a UK company
UK business owners opening a U.S. office

Key points

One continuous year with the related company abroad in the last three years
L-1A managers may later consider an EB-1C green card
A new U.S. office gets a shorter first visa and must show growth

O-1 · EB-1A · EB-2 NIW

Extraordinary ability and national interest

Papers, patents, awards, press and influence built in the UK can support a U.S. talent visa or a self-petitioned green card, often without a U.S. employer.

Who it suits

UK university researchers and PhD graduates
Global Talent visa holders
People with standout work in technology, the arts or business

Key points

O-1 is a temporary visa and needs a U.S. employer or agent
EB-1A and EB-2 NIW can be self-petitioned
Green card waits follow country of birth: people born in mainland China are usually charged to China even as British citizens (limited exceptions)

EB-5

EB-5 investor green card

An investment route straight to a green card, with no education, language or management requirements. The focus is a lawful, traceable source of funds.

Who it suits

People with assets who want green cards for the whole family

Key points

$800,000 in a targeted employment area (TEA), $1,050,000 elsewhere
UK salary, property sales and similar can all be sources, fully documented
Set-aside categories (rural, high-unemployment) matter especially for mainland China-born applicants

ESTA · B-1/B-2

Short visits: ESTA and visitor visas

British citizens can usually visit the U.S. for tourism or business under ESTA, for up to 90 days a time. Chinese passport holders need a B-1/B-2 visa.

Who it suits

British citizens (ESTA)
Chinese passport holders living in the UK (B visa, from the U.S. embassy or consulate in the UK)

Key points

ESTA does not allow work or study, or changing status inside the U.S.
People with past refusals, overstays or convictions usually cannot use ESTA
ESTA stays cannot be extended

KEY POINTS

Three points people miss

Nationality decides E-2

E-2 depends on nationality, not residence. ILR is not British citizenship; before naturalising, consider whether giving up your other nationality is worth it.

Birthplace decides green card waits

Employment green cards are charged by country of birth. Mainland China-born applicants who become British are usually still charged to China.

Dual nationality

The UK and U.S. allow dual nationality; China does not. Before naturalising in the UK or U.S., consider the effect on Chinese nationality, household registration, property and inheritance.

U.S. immigration at youvisa.com →

Not sure which route fits?

Tell us about your situation. We will introduce a partner UK solicitor to speak with you directly, and our U.S. attorney handles anything involving the United States.

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