Asian investor counsel for Colombia
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that assists Asian investors with the US legal dimensions of investing in Colombia. Whether you are forming a US holding company, navigating US tax obligations, seeking an investor visa, or ensuring compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, our US-admitted attorneys provide counsel on the American side of your cross-border venture. For Colombian law matters, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters in coordination with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. To discuss your investment plans, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What This Cross-Border Practice Area Covers
Asian investors pursuing opportunities in Colombia face a distinct set of US legal requirements that a US law firm can address. The firm advises on structuring a US entity—such as a Delaware corporation or LLC—to serve as the investment vehicle, which can simplify capital flows and provide access to US banking and investor protections. US tax considerations, including the treatment of foreign-owned US entities and the implications of the US-Colombia income tax treaty (which the firm can discuss in general terms without asserting Colombia’s treaty status), are integral to the planning process. The firm also guides clients through US immigration options for investors, such as the E-2 treaty investor visa or the EB-5 immigrant investor program, and helps ensure that cross-border transactions comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other US regulatory frameworks.
Because the firm is a US law firm, its attorneys do not practice Colombian law. Instead, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. This division ensures that each aspect of the investment—US corporate, tax, immigration, and compliance—is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, leads the firm, while Eric Duport Jaramillo provides Colombian-law support as Of Counsel. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He and the firm’s other US-licensed attorneys handle all US-law aspects of the engagement: entity formation, US tax analysis, immigration petitions, and FCPA compliance. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel for Colombia matters, is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. This structure allows the firm to deliver coordinated cross-border counsel without any attorney practicing outside their licensure.
For a typical Asian investor, the process begins with a consultation to map the US legal needs. The firm then drafts and files the necessary US corporate documents, prepares any required US tax filings, and, if applicable, submits the investor’s visa petition to USCIS. Simultaneously, Mr. Duport Jaramillo advises on the Colombian-law components—such as local entity registration, foreign investment registration with the Colombian central bank, and Colombian tax obligations—ensuring that the overall structure is coherent across both jurisdictions. Throughout the engagement, the firm maintains clear communication with the client and with Colombian counsel, so that the investor receives integrated guidance without any unauthorized practice of law.
About Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He founded the firm in 1997 and has built a practice that serves international clients with US legal needs. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), the bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). His experience includes representing foreign investors in US immigration, corporate, and compliance matters.
The firm’s Of Counsel network includes Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s background includes service as a former Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce, giving him deep insight into Colombian business and regulatory environments. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to cross-border investment matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a US lawyer if I am an Asian investor in Colombia?
Yes, if your investment involves a US entity, US tax obligations, a US investor visa, or compliance with US laws like the FCPA, you need a US-licensed attorney. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides US legal counsel on these matters. For Colombian law, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters. This division ensures that each jurisdiction’s legal requirements are met by a qualified professional.
What US immigration options are available for Asian investors in Colombia?
Asian investors may qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa or the EB-5 immigrant investor program, depending on their nationality and the nature of the investment. The E-2 visa requires that the investor’s home country have a qualifying treaty with the United States and that the investor make a substantial investment in a US enterprise. The EB-5 program requires a minimum investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten US jobs. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys can evaluate eligibility and prepare the necessary petitions for filing with USCIS.
How does the firm handle FCPA compliance for investments in Colombia?
The firm advises US companies and foreign investors on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which prohibits bribery of foreign officials and requires accurate books and records. For an Asian investor with a US entity, the FCPA may apply to the US entity’s operations in Colombia. The firm helps design compliance programs, conduct due diligence on local partners, and respond to any US government inquiries. Colombian anti-corruption law is addressed by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters.
Can the firm help me set up a US company for my Colombian investment?
Yes, the firm regularly forms US corporations and limited liability companies for foreign investors. The choice of entity—typically a Delaware corporation or LLC—depends on the investor’s goals, tax situation, and exit strategy. The firm prepares the organizational documents, obtains the employer identification number, and advises on US tax filing obligations. The Colombian side of the structure, such as registering a branch or subsidiary in Colombia, is handled by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters.
What are the US tax implications of investing in Colombia through a US entity?
A US entity owned by a foreign investor is generally subject to US federal income tax on its worldwide income, but the US-Colombia income tax treaty may reduce or eliminate double taxation. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys analyze the treaty’s application to the specific investment structure and advise on compliance with US reporting requirements, such as Forms 5472 and 1120. Because the firm does not practice Colombian law, Colombian tax obligations are addressed by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters.
How do I get started with cross-border investment counsel?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the initial discussion, the firm will assess your US legal needs, explain the role of US and Colombian counsel, and outline a path forward. All consultations are by appointment only at our Virginia principal location or our location in Pereira, Colombia.