Business Owner in Canada - Did You Know You Can Move to the U.S. to Work?

If you run a Canadian business, you may already qualify to live and work in the U.S. legally - here’s how thousands of entrepreneurs are doing it.

Ever thought about expanding into the U.S.?

If you own or run a business in Canada, there’s a good chance you’re eligible to move to the U.S. - without needing to marry an American or win a green card lottery.

Thanks to something called the L-1A visa, Canadian business owners, executives, and managers can legally transfer themselves to a U.S. office. It's not a loophole - it's a real, structured visa designed exactly for this purpose.

Let’s break it down.

What Is the L-1A Visa?

Think of the L-1A as a “business expansion visa.”It allows owners, executives, and senior managers to transfer from their Canadian company to a newly opened (or existing) U.S. branch.

You don’t need to be a huge company.You just need a real Canadian business - and a legitimate plan to launch or run operations in the U.S.

Who’s Eligible?

You can apply for an L-1A if:

• You’ve worked for your Canadian company for at least one continuous year in the last 3 years

• You’re coming to the U.S. to work as a manager or executive

• Your Canadian company and U.S. company have a qualifying relationship (parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary)

Even small businesses qualify - we’ve seen owners of construction firms, consulting businesses, retail companies, and online services all make the move.

Not sure if your role counts as “executive” or if your company qualifies? Reach out to one of our experts - we’ll help you understand what’s possible based on your real business situation.

What Counts as a U.S. Office?

You can either:

• Open a new U.S. office (this is common - and totally allowed), or

• Transfer to an already-established U.S. affiliate

If you're opening a new office, the visa is usually approved for 1 year to start, and then extended as your U.S. business grows and hires employees.

What About Your Family?

Your spouse and kids (under 21) can come with you.

• Spouse can apply for work authorization in the U.S.

• Children can attend school

So it’s not just a work move - it can be a whole lifestyle move too.

Why Do Canadians Have an Advantage?

Good news - as a Canadian, you don’t need to go to a U.S. consulate.

You can apply directly at the U.S. border or airport (called preclearance). That means faster processing and fewer steps.

Next Steps If You're Interested

If you own a Canadian business and think this could be for you, here's what to do:

1. Make sure your Canadian company is active and operating

2. Plan your U.S. company structure - you'll need a clear business plan

3. Document your role as an executive or senior manager

4. Work with an experienced team (hint: that’s where we come in)

Final Thought

The L-1A visa isn’t just a visa - it’s a launchpad.For many Canadian entrepreneurs, it’s the first step to expanding a business and a new life in the U.S.

And the best part? You don’t need to change your job. You just change where you do it.