Do you want to invest in the United States and be able to live here? One way to do so is if you obtain an E-2 Investor visa.
First, let me explain what an E-2 visa is. There are two primary types of visas to the United States: immigrant, issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States; and Nonimmigrant, issued for foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis. One way to obtain an immigrant visa is through making an investment in a business or commercial enterprise. This kind of visa is known as E-2 visa. The E-2 Investor Visa allows an individual to enter and work inside of the United States based on an investment he or she will be controlling, while inside the United States.
The E2 Treaty Investor visa allows the investor to live and work in the United States to direct and develop the business, and allows entry of Executive, Management and Essential skills employees. In larger businesses management and executive level employees may be sent to the United States instead of the owners of the business. Employees that are also nationals of the same E2 visa Country as the investor may also qualify for an E2 visa. The E2 visa can continue to be extended indefinitely as long as the business continues in the US.
To apply for an E-2 visa there are some requirements to qualify:
- Be a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and others)
- have invested, or be actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide enterprise in the United States;
- Be seeking to enter the United States solely to develop and direct the investment enterprise (This is established by showing at least 50% ownership of the enterprise or possession of operational control through a managerial position or other corporate device).
This type of investor visa offers an excellent opportunity to immigrate to the United States to direct and develop a business. In contrast to other types of investor visas, E2 visas do not require a minimum investment amount. Instead, they require a “substantial” investment in a real, operating enterprise. It is important to note that, even though there is not a minimum investment amount, you will need assistance from an immigration lawyer to determine the recommended investment amount and from a Business Broker to assist you in finding the more suitable business opportunity.
Business brokers have, among their listings, businesses that are consider as investments that may qualify for visa, so you can contact us to start looking up options according to the price range, area and kind of business you would like to invest.
The state of Florida offers many options to invest in, we are XL Business Brokers are part of the Business Brokers Association of Florida, (“BBF”) so we have access to all the business being sold by all BBF members. Florida, especially Miami and other Southeast Florida cities, have a big Latin influence, which can help in the process to get used to live in another country. This can be something to take into consideration while making the decision to immigrate and invest in the United States.
