Sourcing reliable Car Parts In Nigeria can be a significant challenge for vehicle owners and businesses alike. Recognizing this gap in the market, one Nigerian entrepreneur from Lagos decided to take matters into his own hands, not just within Nigeria, but also by expanding his automotive business to the United States. Owning two successful car dealerships in Africa, his journey highlights the opportunities and strategies involved in the car parts industry, particularly when bridging markets between Nigeria and the USA.
For years, this businessman frequently traveled to the United States using a B1/B2 tourist visa. These trips weren’t for leisure; they were strategic missions to export and import auto parts, essential for his thriving Nigerian dealerships. His ambition didn’t stop there; he even ventured into exporting new and used vehicles from America to Nigeria, further capitalizing on the demand for quality automobiles and components in his home country. This experience underscored a crucial insight: the demand for foreign vehicles and, more importantly, dependable car parts in Nigeria consistently outstripped supply.
This understanding fueled his decision to establish a company in the USA. To navigate the complexities of international business and immigration, he sought expert legal counsel. Connecting with Raheemat Aderibigbe, an attorney at Shepelsky Law Group, proved to be a pivotal step. Raheemat, in collaboration with Marina Shepesky, advised him on the L-1A business visa. This visa category is specifically designed for executives and managers like him, who lead companies abroad and aim to extend their business operations into the United States by establishing a branch or subsidiary. As a director of his Nigerian enterprise, the strategy was clear: demonstrate to the U.S. government that his business was transferring him to the States in a managerial capacity to oversee the new American branch.
The legal team at Shepelsky Law Group took charge of both the business and immigration aspects of this transatlantic venture. They expertly handled the incorporation of his U.S. entity, meticulously addressing every detail from drafting contracts and bylaws to assisting with real estate matters, leases, and insurance. Simultaneously, they diligently prepared his L-1A intracompany transferee executive visa application, ensuring all documentation was accurate and compelling.
The outcome was the successful launch of a car dealership in New Jersey. Over the next two years, the business solidified its foundation, grew to employ three individuals, generated steady profits, and diligently met all tax obligations. Crucially, it also fulfilled all criteria mandated by the immigration services. This robust performance enabled him to attain L-1 status without needing to return to Nigeria, a testament to the strength of his business case and legal preparation. Subsequently, during a trip back to Lagos, he attended an interview at the American consulate. Despite initial scrutiny from the consular officer regarding his change of status within the U.S. and questions about why he hadn’t applied directly from Nigeria, he confidently presented the evidence of his thriving business, its genuine operations, the employment of American workers, his essential role in the U.S., and the company’s profitability. Satisfied with the presented facts, the officer approved his L-1 visa, placing the visa stamp in his passport.
A Nigerian businessman proudly displays his L-1A visa, showcasing his successful business expansion from Nigeria to the USA focusing on car parts.
While eligible for a green card, he has not yet pursued permanent residency. His current focus remains on leveraging the L-1 visa to facilitate frequent business travel between Lagos and the United States, nurturing both his Nigerian and American ventures. The L-1A visa provides the legal framework for extended stays in the U.S., along with work authorization and a driver’s license. He has successfully renewed his L1A visa twice, further solidifying his long-term business mobility. His wife and younger children have also obtained L visas with work permits and Social Security numbers, integrating into American life while maintaining strong ties to Nigeria. The only family member not eligible for an L visa was his adult daughter, who, content in Lagos, remained in Nigeria. With three younger children attending school in the States, the L-1 visa structure effectively supports his family’s needs and his bi-continental business operations. He credits Shepelsky Law Group for enabling him to seamlessly travel between the U.S. and Nigeria, a critical component in the continued growth of his businesses and his ability to address the car parts market in Nigeria and beyond.
Family members holding their L-2 visas, enabling them to live and work in the U.S. alongside the businessman managing his car parts enterprise.
