Consider the E-2 Investor Visa Program

An E-2 visa can offer a smooth path to temporary residency in the United States.

What is the E-2 Nonimmigrant Investor Visa?

If you are a foreign national (of a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the USA) with some accrued wealth, and considering investing in business in the USA, an E-2 nonimmigrant visa can offer a smooth path to temporary residency in the United States. (Note that if you are looking to use business ownership in the USA as a pathway to permanent residency, you can use the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program.)

An E-2 visa is issued for a maximum initial period of two years with unlimited renewals as long as you continue to meet the visa requirements.

See if your country qualifies here using the link below:
Treaty Countries

Capital Investment

The E-2 visa may be granted for “substantial” investments in the USA.  In order to qualify as an investor, you have to:

  •  Show that “substantial” funds are available and that you are committed to the investment, among other qualifying criteria.
    – Substantial in relationship to the total cost of either purchasing an established enterprise or establishing a new one;
    – Sufficient to ensure the treaty investor’s financial commitment to the successful operation of the enterprise;
    – Of a magnitude to support the likelihood that the treaty investor will successfully develop and direct the enterprise. 
  • The investment must be in a bona fide enterprise, meaning a real, active, and operating commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking which produces services or goods for profit. It must meet applicable legal requirements for doing business within its jurisdiction;
  • At least 50% of the business must be owned by a national from a qualifying country;
  • The investment must create enough profit to provide a living for more than just the applicant and his/her family.
  • The business you are investing in must NOT be a “marginal” enterprise.

Use the link below for more details on capital requirements.

Franchise Opportunities

An investor can reap substantial benefits from acquiring an E-2 visa. Along with being able to bring their spouse and dependent children (under 21 years old), and travel freely throughout the country, the investor can invest in an established franchise brand.  Note that investing in a franchise is not a visa requirement – merely investing in a qualifying business is required. However, investing in a franchise business may allow E-2 visa applicants to have a higher chance of approval as opposed to starting up a business from the ground up.  A main concern of immigration officers in deciding an E-2 visa case is measuring the likelihood of success for the applicant’s business. This concern can be addressed more favorably by established franchise businesses, because they are successful business models with highly developed, tried and true systems.

Franchises provide a variety of support to you which can include Initial training, finding the right location, location design & build out, operational support (including systems), marketing support and ongoing guidance and training.  In addition, being part of a franchise is like being part of a family, where you will be supported by the Franchisor, who will also give you access to other franchisees for support as needed. These benefits are particularly important to a business owner who is new to the country.

Franchise Matching

But I don’t have the business experience! 

Not all franchises require business experience.  An E-2 visa requires you to demonstrate the necessary ability, experience and skills to successfully operate your franchise business in the USA.

As your Franchise Consultant and Coach, we will help you find the right fit franchise that is ideally suited to your skills, financial and lifestyle goals.  We have pre-screened hundreds of franchise business opportunities across a wide range of industries, many of which would easily qualify for an    E-2 investor visa.

We will support you through the whole process and coach you until you have finalized your deal with the Franchisor.  We provide free, unlimited consultations for foreign investors interested in investing in a franchise through the E-2 nonimmigrant visa program.

Remember, if your country does not qualify for an E-2 visa or if you are looking for a permanent residence in the USA, through investment in a business(es) in the USA, you need to use the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program.  The EB-5 visa requires a minimum investment of $900,000 or $1,800,000 depending on the location of the business. The waiting time for an EB-5 visa is also much longer than for an E-2 visa.

Learn more about the EB-5 visa here:
https://www.franalign.com/eb5-immigrant-investor-program/

For more information about franchising as a means of gaining temporary residency via the E-2 Investor Visa Program, please message Craig Taylor craig@franalign.com or visit www.franalign.com

 

an E-2 visa can offer a smooth path to temporary residency in the United States.