Self-Employment Immigration

[mickliq]

Hi, I've been doing some Google searching but not having much luck.

I am a self-employed consultant living in Canada. I have a professional degree which would allow me to be employed in United States. However, it seems all of the NAFTA immigration policies require a US employer. In fact I would be self-employed...

I also noted there is an "investor" category but since my business doesn't require "investment" I don't think I would qualify there either.

All of my work is done via email and phone from my house, so I could really live anywhere...I'd just like to live somewhere warmer :-)

It is theoretically possible that one of my clients could sponsor me...but I would rather avoid putting them through that if they don't have to.

Is there any scenario under which I could immigrate to the United States and be self-employed?

[Mr. Knowitall]

There's no cheap and easy way, if that's what you're asking.

[mickliq]

Just the right answer, if there is an answer for my scenario.

If there is no scenario under which a self-employed person can live in the USA, then fine, but if there is ... I'd just like to know.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You could open a U.S. subsidiary for your business, then apply for L-1 status. (I'm not stating that this would be cheap or easy.) The USCIS does not like to grant L-1 status to sole proprietors. The Canadian company would have to continue its operations outside of the U.S.