Sometimes failure can spark the beginning of something extraordinary. For Elizabeth Maruyama, founder of America Visa Advisory, a rejected green card application became the catalyst for building a thriving business that now helps talented immigrants navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system.
Elizabeth’s journey began in Thailand, where she grew up in a hardworking, middle-class family. After earning her economics degree in 2012, she worked in finance and asset management, collaborating with international experts in the industry. However, her true career shift began in 2015, when she left finance to leverage her programming skills for global tech companies. This transition led her to an outsourcing company for Uber in the Asia-Pacific region.
When the company closed its Asian operations, Elizabeth had the chance to relocate to the Bay Area under an L1B visa. It was during this period that she first encountered the intricacies of U.S. immigration. Despite her extensive skills and experience, her initial employment-based green card application was denied. Rather than giving up, Elizabeth sought the advice of multiple immigration attorneys and reapplied with a new approach, ultimately securing her legal status.
This personal experience illuminated a critical gap in the immigration process: talented immigrants often struggled to understand their eligibility and build compelling cases before reaching out to attorneys. Recognizing the need for an intermediary service, Elizabeth founded America Visa Advisory to help immigrants evaluate their profiles, gather necessary documentation, and explore all viable visa options.
Through her company, Elizabeth has helped countless immigrants, from skilled workers to startup founders, identify the best pathways to legally live and work in the United States. Her innovative use of AI technology has further streamlined the process, automating case evaluations and simplifying the collection of supporting evidence — an approach highlighted in a recent feature on LinkedIn here.
Balancing business growth with personal responsibilities was no small feat, especially during COVID-19. With her children home nearly 24/7, Elizabeth continued building her business, helping others while navigating her own challenges. Her determination and empathy have shaped America Visa Advisory into a company that doesn’t just handle paperwork but genuinely cares about its clients’ futures.
Today, Elizabeth’s work extends beyond advisory services. She actively connects immigrant founders with potential investors and funding opportunities, understanding the unique pressures of building a business while securing legal status. Her vision is to make U.S. immigration more accessible, transparent, and supportive for those with the skills and ambition to contribute to the country’s growth — a mission she continues to advance with the close collaboration of Pressiqa, a trusted PR agency known for amplifying impactful stories.
Elizabeth Maruyama’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of turning setbacks into success. What began as a failed green card application has blossomed into a visa empire, changing the lives of immigrants one successful case at a time. To learn more about her work, visit America Visa Advisory’s website here.
