AI Advancements, Trade Tariffs and Immigration: Considerations for Chinese Companies Expanding in the U.S.

*Scroll down to read this blog in Chinese.

Chinese companies in the United States are navigating a complex business landscape shaped by rapid AI advancements and stringent trade policies.

The emergence of DeepSeek, an open-source AI platform developed by a Chinese company, rattled the global AI industry and intensified the AI race between the US and China. On the other hand, the tariffs imposed on a wide array of Chinese imports have led to increased operational costs and supply chain disruption. Some Chinese organizations, such as electric vehicle manufacturers, auto parts companies and technology companies, have decided to establish or expand manufacturing facilities within the US to help reduce tariff risk and foster goodwill.

The interplay between AI innovation and trade policies presents a nuanced scenario for Chinese companies in the US. As Chinese companies seek to expand their footprint in the US, immigration strategy becomes a critical factor in ensuring a smooth transition. From establishing new offices to transferring key personnel, navigating the US immigration system requires careful planning and compliance. Non-compliance could result in visa denials, costly fines, reputational damage and business disruptions. This blog outlines some key immigration considerations for Chinese companies looking to grow their presence in the U.S.

Choosing the Right Visa Category

Selecting the appropriate visa category for employees is crucial for business success. Common visa options include:

• • • L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa: Ideal for executives, managers or specialized employees transferring from a Chinese office to a newly established or existing US subsidiary or affiliate.
    • H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa: Used for skilled workers in professional roles, though it is subject to an annual lottery and numerical cap.
    • Country-Specific Visas (TN, E-3, and H-1B1): Available for Chinese companies with an international workforce.
      • • • TN Visa: Available for Mexican and Canadian nationals whose occupation falls within the one of the designated TN categories.
          • E-3 Visa: Australian nationals who qualify for the H-1B visa may apply for an E-3 visa instead, bypassing the H-1B lottery.
          • H-1B1 Visa: Singaporean and Chilean nationals who qualify for the H-1B visa can apply for an H-1B1 visa, also avoiding the lottery process.
    • O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa: An option for business owners or employees who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.

It is important to note that employees should not use the B-1 business visitor visa for employment in the US, even for a short duration. This visa is intended for activities such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts or participating in short-term training. If an employee’s travel purpose falls outside these permitted activities, they should consult an immigration attorney to determine the appropriate visa category. Using the wrong visa for work can lead to significant compliance risks for both the employee and the employer.

Timing and Processing Considerations

US  visa processing times vary depending on the visa type, with some applications taking longer due to increased scrutiny. Employers should be prepared for potential Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS, which can extend processing timelines.

Additionally, visa interviews for Chinese nationals at US consulates may face additional scrutiny, particularly for employees working with high-tech companies and sensitive technologies, such as AI, advanced computer/microelectronic technology, robotics, chemical engineering, biotechnology, etc. Employees may also face increased scrutiny and extended wait times due to administrative processing.

To minimize disruptions, employers should plan ahead, allow extra time for RFEs and visa delays and ensure all required documentation is thorough and accurate.

Compliance with US Immigration Laws

The increased geopolitical tensions between the US and China could result in increased scrutiny of Chinese companies by US regulatory authorities. It is recommended that companies develop comprehensive corporate immigration strategies that align with their broader business objectives and ensure compliance, thereby minimizing the risk of legal challenges and penalties.

The following are key considerations for immigration compliance:

• • • Maintain accurate I-9 records to ensure compliance with employment verification requirements. If unsure about I-9 compliance, consult an immigration attorney for an internal audit.
    • Adhere to Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, especially for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 workers, which require LCA compliance. Be prepared for increased scrutiny from the DOL.
    • Prepare employees for international travel. Advise them on enhanced vetting procedures and potential delays. Employees should check their I-94 records after each international trip. Plan ahead and file necessary extensions on time to prevent accidental overstays or status violations.
    • Be prepared for USCIS site visits. The Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit conducts unannounced inspections at employer worksites to verify petition details and ensure compliance with immigration requirements. Consult with an experienced immigration attorney to develop a compliance program, ongoing monitoring, and audits. This service ensures that Chinese corporations remain compliant with US immigration laws, thereby minimizing the risk of legal challenges and penalties.

Opportunities and Challenges

Managing business operations in the US market presents both opportunities and challenges for Chinese companies, and immigration challenges must be carefully managed.

A well-planned visa strategy and compliance with regulations can enhance the likelihood of a successful US operation. Partnering with an experienced immigration attorney can help navigate complexities and support the company's long-term growth in the US.

Need to know more?

For questions related to immigration considerations for Chinese companies, please contact Senior Associate Susan Song at [email protected].

This blog was published on March 3, 2025, and due to the circumstances, there may be frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

---

人工智能发展、贸易关税与移民：在美发展的中国企业需要考虑的签证与移民合规事项

 

在美国经营的中国企业正面临着由人工智能快速发展和严格贸易政策共同塑造的复杂商业环境。

中国公司开发的开源人工智能平台 DeepSeek 的出现震撼了全球 AI 产业，加剧了中美之间的 AI 竞争。同时，美国对大量中国进口商品征收的关税导致运营成本上升，供应链受到冲击。一些中国企业，如电动汽车制造商、汽车零部件公司和高科技公司，选择在美国投资建厂，以降低关税风险并促进友好关系。

人工智能创新与贸易政策的交互作用为在美发展的中国企业带来了复杂的挑战。对于计划扩大在美业务的中国公司而言，签证与移民合规战略成为确保顺利落地的关键因素。从设立新办公室到调派关键人员，企业需要仔细规划并遵守美国移民法规。违规可能导致签证被拒、高额罚款、声誉受损及业务中断。本文将概述中国企业在美国发展时应关注的一些重要移民事项。

选择合适的签证类别

为员工选择合适的签证类别对于企业业务成功至关重要。常见的签证选项包括：

• • • L-1 跨国公司内部调动签证：适用于从中国公司调派至美国子公司或分公司的高管、经理或专业技术人员。
    • H-1B 特殊职业签证：适用于从事专业工作的技术型员工，但需参加年度抽签，并受配额限制。
    • 特定国家签证（TN、E-3 和 H-1B1）：适用于拥有国际化团队的中国公司。
      • • • TN 签证：适用于从事符合 TN 类别的专业工作的墨西哥和加拿大公民。
          • E-3 签证：适用于符合 H-1B 资格的澳大利亚公民，可绕过 H-1B 抽签。
          • H-1B1 签证：适用于符合 H-1B 资格的新加坡和智利公民，可免除抽签程序。
    • O-1 杰出人才签证：适用于在科学、艺术、教育、商业或体育领域表现卓越的企业家或员工。

需要注意的是，员工不得使用 B-1 商务访问签证在美国工作，即使在美时间很短。该签证仅适用于参加会议、洽谈合同或短期培训等活动。如果员工的行程目的超出这些范围，应咨询移民律师，以确定合适的签证类别。使用错误的签证从事工作可能会给员工及雇主带来重大合规风险。

申请时间与流程考量

美国签证的处理时间因签证类别而异，某些申请可能因行政审查而延长。雇主应做好应对美国公民及移民服务局（USCIS）补件请求的准备，这可能会进一步拉长审理时间。

此外，中国公民在美国领事馆进行签证面试时可能会受到额外审查，尤其是涉及高科技行业及敏感技术（如人工智能、计算机/微电子技术、机器人、化学工程、生物技术等）的员工。由于行政审查，一些申请人可能面临更严格的审查和更长的等待时间。

为尽量减少延误，雇主应提前规划，为补件请求及签证审理延迟预留足够时间，并确保提交的所有材料完整、准确。

遵守美国移民法规

中美之间的地缘政治紧张关系可能导致美国监管机构对中国企业进行更严格的审查。因此，建议企业制定全面的公司移民合规政策，以确保合规，降低法律风险和处罚的可能性。

以下是移民合规方面的关键考量：

• • • 确保 I-9 记录准确，以符合验证雇员的身份和就业资格要求。如果不确定 I-9 合规性，建议咨询移民律师进行内部审计。
    • 遵守美国劳工部规定，特别是对 H-1B、H-1B1 和 E-3 员工，需符合劳工条件申请（LCA）要求，并做好接受 劳工部审查的准备。
    • 帮助员工做好国际旅行准备，提前告知他们可能面临的严格审查及签证延迟。员工应在每次国际旅行后检查自己的 I-94 记录，提前规划，及时申请延期，避免超期滞留或身份违规。
    • 应对 USCIS 现场访问。美国国土安全部欺诈检测与国家安全（FDNS）部门会对雇主工作地点进行突击检查，以核实申请内容并确保移民合规。建议企业与有经验的移民律师合作，建立合规体系，定期进行内部监测和审计，以确保符合法规，降低法律风险。

机遇与挑战

在美国市场运营对中国企业而言既充满机遇，也伴随诸多挑战，尤其是移民合规方面的复杂性。

制定完善的签证策略并遵守相关法规，有助于提升企业在美经营的成功率。与经验丰富的移民律师合作，可以帮助企业应对复杂的移民问题，并支持公司在美国的长期发展。

了解更多信息

如果您对中国企业在美发展的移民问题有任何疑问，请联系宋晓丹律师 Susan Song（[email protected])。

本文发表于 2025 年 3月3日。由于政策可能频繁变化，请订阅我们的移民动态通知，并关注我们的 LinkedIn、X、Facebook 和 Instagram 账号，以获取最新移民信息。