The E-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows individuals from certain countries to enter and work in the United States based on an investment in a new or existing U.S. business. It is also known as the “Treaty Investor Visa.”
This visa is only available for investors from specific Treaty Countries, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, the U.K., Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and more.
Once an individual has obtained an E-2 visa, they are allowed to work in the U.S. for up to five years, which can be extended indefinitely as long as they continue to meet the requirements for the visa. The spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the E-2 visa holder are also eligible to apply for visas to accompany the investor to the United States.
The Challenges:
The E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, which means that it does not provide a direct path to a Green Card or permanent residency in the United States.
Identifying profitable and sustainable U.S. businesses to invest in can be a challenging task, especially if you are not familiar with the U.S. business landscape.
Disadvantages when you try to find Franchise businesses on your own.
Our Solutions:
BHSL Group teamed up with a reputable financial research and investment group that analyzed U.S. business’s financials and presented only the business that can increase the success rate of E2 investors.
As part of our due diligence, we commissioned a third-party advisory service to analyze the financials for three operating locations. We were interested in financial performance beyond the information which is typically available in the Franchise Disclosure Document(FDD). We were interested in free cash flow, the appreciation in value of a store and the true return on investment. The notes tab in the financial model confirm the assumptions made in the analysis.
The investment can be made into any business in the U.S., and the investor is allowed to work and live in the U.S., but they are restricted to their specific business. E-2 visa holders can travel freely in and out of the U.S., and the investor’s dependents are also covered under the E-2 treaty. They may work in the U.S. through an Employment authorization document.
Yes, E-2 visa is a dual intent visa. A dual intent visa allows a foreign national to have two intents, one to enter the United States as a non-immigrant i.e. on a temporary basis, while also having the option of remaining in the U.S. permanently through an immigrant visa category.
Yes, you can apply for a green card with an E-2 Visa by changing your status to an immigration visa like EB-3.
Through Spouse’s Employer sponsorship:
A benefit of the E-2 Visa is that it permits the investor’s dependent spouse to apply for work authorization and work anywhere. In contrast, the investor is only allowed to work for the E-2 company.
To get a Green Card through the spouse’s employment-based sponsorship, the U.S. employer must get an approved Labor Certification with USDOL, and the applicant must get approved for such as EB-3 Visa, and the applicant must adjust status in the U.S. or get a Visa abroad.
A typical and profitable E-2 visa investment amount is over $150,000 US dollars.
There is a separate fee associated with Attorney charges, Business entity formation costs, and E2 facilitate service costs.
E-2 Visa cost for investor present in the USA
Form I-129 filing fee $460 (Form I-539 – $370 per dependent)
15 days Premium processing USCIS filing fee $2500
E-2 Visa investor in Home-country
DS-160 form fee of $205
One question we frequently receive is about the E-2 visa investment amount. To obtain an E-2 visa, the investor must make a “substantial” monetary investment in the business. While there is no specific minimum capital requirement under immigration regulations, it is recommended that the investment be at least $150,000 or more on average to increase the likelihood of approval. It is crucial to understand that the investment must be at-risk, meaning it must be used for business purposes. If the funds for the E-2 investment are sitting in the investor’s bank account, they do not meet the at-risk requirement outlined in the E-2 visa regulations.
Determining the appropriate E-2 visa investment amount can be challenging, as the required amount depends on the cost or value of the business. Generally, a higher percentage of investment is needed if the business has a lower cost. However, in most cases, the portion of the investment is between 51% to 100%. Therefore, it is difficult to establish a specific minimum investment amount for the E-2 visa.
Based on experience, an average investment of around $150,000 US Dollars is often suitable for many business plans.
It is recommended that applicants forming an LLC or corporation seek assistance from a U.S. Attorney to set up the company. The fees and total expenditure for the E-2 visa application process, including attorney service fees and other externalities, will depend on the specific circumstances of each case.
As part of the E-2 visa application, the investor applicant must submit a comprehensive and compliant business plan. Engaging a firm specializing in business plans is advisable to draft an E-2 compliant plan. The fee for such a service varies based on the firm, and it is essential to note that the investment amount required for the E-2 visa is separate from the fees associated with preparing an E-2-compliant business plan.
The cost of the E-2 visa depends on an individual’s situation, and it is a personal, circumstantial-driven decision. However, one simple fact is that the E-2 visa is the fastest way to live in the USA, with the possibility of getting a Green Card.
The value of the payment for the E-2 visa investment is determined by how much time it saves and the opportunity it provides to invest in the USA.
The required E-2 visa investment amount is entirely based on the specifics of an applicant’s business plan. The return on the investment depends on how secure the investment is. Still, ultimately, the real payout of the E-2 visa program is the chance to live in America with your family while you can generate income.
To a potential investor who is looking for an opportunity to come to the USA faster than any other way to run your own business, this E2 visa investment itself is a golden opportunity.
SeaBreezee has added the EB3 visa process on top of the E2 visa opportunity to open up with a new path to Green Card.
If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, email us.
