E2 Visas to the US
I had the opportunity to meet with a number of clients this week that want to live and work in the US as self employed individuals (I guess this week’s cold snap prompted much of these thoughts as a number of these individuals want to move to Florida). One of the most utilized categories for Canadians (and any other National whose native country has a trade treaty with the United States) is the E2 Visa to the US.
How does the E2 Visa to the US work?
The E2 Visa category allows an individual, wanting to invest money into a business or into their own business in the United States, to work for that business and reside in the United States.
One of the first questions we receive when recommending this category is typically regarding the amount of investment required. The answer to this can be summed up in two words, “it depends.” This depends on a number of factors, the biggest of which is the nature of the business.
This is best exemplified by comparing a person wanting to open a new car dealership, versus someone opening up a service business. Surely investing $50,000 would not be a “substantial, at risk” investment for a car dealership, whereas it may be for a person opening a start-up consulting business.
Contact an immigration lawyer about E2 Visas to the US
Note that E2 Visa investments have to be considered to be “substantial risks” . This really means that US Immigration has to be convinced that you are serious about your US business venture and you have “put your money where your mouth is.” From experience, we can only give guidelines as for the type of business involved that would qualify. So how much investment is required? Well, “it depends”….. Contact an immigration lawyer if you’re considering an E2 Visa to the US.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
