Before you seriously consider establishing a business in New York City, you will need to assess your company’s visa needs.  The U.S. government processes visa applications.  Please visit the U.S. Department of State for more information on the different types of available visas. 

If you are planning to visit the U.S. for 90 days or less, you may be eligible for a visa waiver. Nationals from 34 countries are eligible for the Department of Homeland Security’s Visa Waiver Program. Those countries include:

Please refer to the following link for more information: Visa Waiver Program.

The U.S. Department of State has published a visa guide for international business visitors to the United States, available at travel.state.gov/pdf/BusinessVisa.pdf. 

E-Visas
If you would like to receive a visa that will allow you to work in the U.S. for an extended period, you can apply for an employment-based visa, also known as an E visa.  There are five categories of E visas.  E visa categories one through five are assigned to applicants based on their professional qualifications.  For example, successful E-1 and E-2 applicants are persons with extraordinary ability in fields such as the arts, sciences, business, or athletics.  The remaining three visa types include skilled workers (E-3), foreign nationals granted special immigrant status (E-4), and immigrant investors “whose enterprises will directly create 10 or more new jobs in the U.S.” (E-5).

B-Visas
If you do not qualify for a visa waiver and you would like to stay in the U.S. for a period longer than 90 days, you can apply for a nonimmigrant visa, also known as a B visa.  B visas are applicable to foreign nationals who wish to visit the U.S. for a specific, limited time period for business or pleasure. For more information on B visas, please consult the following resource: “B” Visas.

For more information on the requirements and instructions associated with obtaining these visas, please refer to the Immigration Through Investment and the Visa Information for Employers resources provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is a company’s primary identification to the Internal Revenue Service, New York State, and New York City. Corporations, partnerships, and certain sole proprietorships must have an EIN.  For more information on obtaining an EIN, please visit NYC Business Solutions. 

EIN application instructions are available in Chinese and Spanish translations. 

Apply for an EIN

In addition to applying for an EIN, you should consult the Internal Revenue Service’s guidelines for international businesses. Please refer to the following link for more information: IRS Tax Information for International Businesses.

New York City has a wealth of world-renowned business service firms that provide accounting, legal, real estate, and management consultant services for companies of all sizes and industries.

NYCEDC’s NYC Business Climate web resource includes a list of professional associations and other agencies that can provide you with referrals to service providers to meet your company’s needs.

The New York City Department of Small Business Services provides guidelines on how to find accountants and lawyers through its NYC Business Solutions website.

The Division for International Business (DIB), of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol (UNCCP), a part of the Mayor's Office, can help you with issues you encounter in setting up your business.  DIB can provide information and referrals to assist you with issues including taxation, real estate, banking, visas, corporate formation, among others. 

DIB can help you and your business work with government agencies at the city, state, and federal levels.  DIB can also introduce you to your home country's bilateral chamber of commerce, chambers of commerce in New York City's five boroughs, and your home country's consular officials and trade commissioner. 

DIB's International Business Directory, a listing of 2,800 foreign businesses in New York City, provides contact information for the diplomatic and consular corps, trade commissions, and bilateral chambers of commerce in New York City. 

For more information on DIB, visit www.nyc.gov/international. 

Determining where in New York City your company should locate is one of the most important first decisions you and your business will make. The City offers a wide variety of real estate options, and it is best to consult a real estate professional when it comes time to find office space. However, you should familiarize yourself with New York’s central business districts and neighborhoods prior to contacting a real estate agent.

Downtown Brooklyn - New York City’s third largest central business district, Downtown Brooklyn offers access to 14 subway lines, 16 bus lines, and the Long Island Rail Road, and is located minutes away from Lower Manhattan.

Downtown Jamaica - Three million workers live within a 45-minute commute to Downtown Jamaica and an estimated 650,000 people live, work, or use the neighborhood’s services every day. Downtown Jamaica is also in close proximity to JFK International Airport, the Long Island Rail Road, 4 subway lines, and 49 bus routes.

Harlem - Long regarded for its global cultural contributions, Harlem is also a vibrant business district with superior access to 10 subway lines, the Metro-North Railroad, and several bus lines.  More than 700,000 subway riders and close to 200,000 Metro-North commuters pass through Harlem every day.

Hudson Yards - A massive expanse of waterfront property directly adjacent to Midtown Manhattan, the Hudson Yards will soon be transformed into one of Manhattan’s finest business districts.  The area is served by an extensive transportation network, which includes 13 Subway Lines, 32 Bus Lines, the PATH Train to New Jersey, Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak service, Commuter Ferry Service to New Jersey at 39th Street Ferry Terminal, a nearby Heliport, and the region's highways and tunnels, including the Lincoln Tunnel and the West Side Highway

Long Island City - Located less than 10 minutes from Midtown Manhattan, Long Island City (LIC) is an ideal location for your company’s back-office needs. With a history steeped in manufacturing, the neighborhood is fast becoming a trendsetting office market complemented by nearby art galleries, museums, and a burgeoning residential community.

Lower Manhattan - The southern portion of Manhattan is home to the world-famous Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, and is one of the largest business districts in the United States. With global financial institutions and government offices, including City Hall, Federal District Courthouse, and the Federal Reserve, among others, located within its bounds, Lower Manhattan offers impressive co-location benefits to its resident business community.

For more information about New York City’s business real estate options, please consult NYCEDC’s Central Business Districts Overview.

The type of business you are running will directly affect the number of permits and licenses you will need to receive to operate in New York City. Please refer to the instructions below for more information on the types of approvals most, if not all, businesses are required to obtain.

For additional information on approvals, please refer to the following resource from New York City Business Solutions: Permits and Licenses Guide.

NYCEDC, the NYC Department of Small Business Services, and New York State offer several incentive programs where qualifying companies can receive tax credits based on a company's office location, industry focus, and job creation record.  For more information on incentives that your company may be eligible for, please refer to the following sources:

NYCEDC Financing and Incentives – This resource will refer you to descriptions of many of the incentives that are available to companies locating in New York City, all of which offered either by New York State or New York City. The site also features a direct link to NYCEDC’s Incentive Finder, an interactive tool that will guide you to the incentives that best match your company’s profile and interests.

NYC Business Solutions Incentives Guide – The New York City Department of Small Business Services has created a guide that allows you to find incentives based on the type of project your company has decided to pursue. Whether it is relocation, renovation, an equipment investment, or workforce development, this guide will direct you to the relevant incentives your business may be eligible for.

Instituting energy-efficient practices in your offices and business operations is an investment that can deliver large returns to your company’s operational budget. Please refer to the following resources for more information on how you can effectively and intelligently upgrade your company’s energy infrastructure:

GreenYour – GreenYour is an online guide to sustainable living practices designed for businesses and individual consumers. The site’s section on office practices is a valuable first source of information for your company as it considers upgrading its business operations and energy infrastructure.

As a second step toward improving your company’s infrastructure, there are several consulting firms that specialize in developing specially tailored sustainable business practices for client companies. For more information, please contact the United States Green Building Council.

New York City is devoted to sustainable development and has become an ideal location for green enterprises to locate, offering a wide variety of energy-efficient and sustainable resources for the City’s business community. Please refer to the following resources for more information about New York City’s thriving green sector:

NYCEDC Green Sector Industry Overview – provides an introduction to New York City’s green sector and links to information on financial incentives for companies looking to adopt sustainable practices.

Made in NYC – business-to-business listing of green manufacturers and business service providers located in New York City.

One of New York City’s strongest assets is its concentration of businesses that complement each other’s missions and practices. The diversity of the business community combined with the sheer density of the City’s physical infrastructure make a perfect breeding ground for networking.

Networking opportunities in New York City are numerous.  The best first step is to contact your country’s chamber of commerce and your sector’s industry associations. These organizations typically host several events a year that offer networking and relationship-building opportunities.

DIB/UNCCP Calendar
The Division for International Businesses (DIB) of the NYC Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corp and Protocol (UNCCP), part of the Mayor's Office, maintains an International Business Calendar, which lists trade shows, seminars, networking receptions, and other events relevant to the international business community in New York City.  These events offer opportunities for you to meet potential business partners and clients.  To access the International Business Calendar, visit www.nyc.gov/ibcalendar.   

UNCCP Directory
UNCCP also hosts an International Business Directory on its website, which provides contact information for 2,800 foreign businesses with operations in New York City, chambers of commerce, and the diplomatic and consular corps.  To access the International Business Directory, visit  www.nyc.gov/ibd. 

As a leading destination for international business and tourism, New York is one of the most concentrated travel hubs in the world. The metropolitan area’s three major airports, John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), and LaGuardia (LGA), all offer wi-fi internet service and host several retailers that are fully equipped to support business travelers’ needs.

New York City and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have been working steadily to improve New York’s airports to make the passenger experience more efficient and enjoyable.  Some recent improvements include the following: 

Global Entry Program
To expedite the international travel experience for frequent travelers, U.S. citizens and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can enroll in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry Program. Launched in May 2008 as a pilot program, Global Entry allows pre-screened travelers to bypass the traditional passport control process and go through border control via electronic kiosks, reducing the amount of time participants need to spend at the airport. For more information on this program, please visit Global Entry.

Starting in early 2009, U.S. and Dutch citizens traveling to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Houston Airport, JFK Airport's Terminal 4, and Dulles Washington Airport will be eligible to register for an automated border passage pilot program as part of an agreement signed in May 2008 between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Dutch Ministry of Justice.  For more information, please visit www.dartagnan.eu. 

Airport Alerts
While you should contact your airline for your individual flight’s status, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers free airport alerts that can be sent to you via email or text message, detailing everything from airport weather delays, to parking lot capacity, to AirTrain service changes. To learn more, go to www.airportinfoalerts.com. 

Self-select lanes Pilot Program at JFK Airport
JFK Airport has initiated a pilot program that allows passengers to select airport lanes based on their travel needs and knowledge of the security process. The goal of the program is to serve each airport user’s individual needs while adding efficiency to the security process.

• Expert – for the business traveler who flies several times a month
• Casual – for passengers who travel less frequently, but are familiar with the security process
• Family/Special Assistance – for passengers traveling with small children or strollers, elderly passengers, and passengers who may need special assistance

Access to taxi cabs
When arriving at one of New York’s airports, be sure to follow signs to the taxi stand for cab service. We do not recommend that you accept any offers from drivers inside or outside of the airport who ask passersby if they would like a ride from the airport. These drivers are more often than not unlicensed who overcharge riders and take business away from licensed drivers at the taxi stands. If you are arriving in New York without prearranged transportation from the airport, you will be best served if you use mass transit or go to the taxi stand.