When evaluating potential E-2 Visa business ideas, many prospective applicants ask: What are the easiest and most profitable business ideas for an E-2 investor visa?
The E-2 investor visa allows citizens of countries that have a treaty with the United States to move to the U.S. to start a new business or purchase an existing business. The E-2 investor must make a substantial investment of personal funds and show that the business will be real and operating and will have the ability to make a significant economic contribution to the U.S. Many prospective E-2 applicants want to know how they can invest as little as possible while also ensuring their enterprise will be profitable.
- The E-2 investor visa lets treaty-country nationals invest in a U.S. business that is real, operating, and makes a significant economic contribution.
- Different E-2 business models like consulting, franchises, law firms, e-commerce, and property management vary in required investment, flexibility, and scrutiny.
- Strong E-2 applications highlight the investor’s ability to develop and direct the company, ideally supported by relevant experience or entrepreneurial success.
Evaluating E-2 Visa Business Ideas: Pros & Cons
Comparative Analysis of E-2 Visa Business Ideas
| Type of Business | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting business |
• Lower investment needed to get the business up and running. • Low barriers to entry, especially if investor has the knowledge and expertise. • Low expenses. |
• Harder to come up with business expenses to ensure the investment is considered substantial. • Consular officers may be concerned about whether the investor will hire employees or operate as a solo consultant. |
| Franchises (fitness, cleaning, tutoring) |
• Proven business concept which can strengthen Consular officer’s perception of viability. • Training, marketing and equipment often provided by franchisor. • May be better for newer entrepreneurs who need more guidance and structure to launch their business. |
• Investment amount required may be higher depending on type of franchise. • Not as much flexibility with defining the start-up costs as franchisor often defines this in the franchise documents. • Limitations on ability to pivot or make changes to the business model. |
| Law firms |
• Lower investment needed to get the business up and running. • High profit margins. |
• In most States the treaty investor must be a lawyer licensed in the U.S. to own the law firm. • Stricter ethical, insurance and compliance requirements than other industries. |
| E-commerce |
• Low overhead as compared to businesses that require a physical location. • Large market reach. • Ability to scale quickly and pivot based on market changes. |
• Lots of competition. The investor will need to convince the Consular officer that the business will be viable with so much competition. • Technology issues and failures can cause big problems if not addressed efficiently. |
| Property management |
• Service-based business which requires lower start-up costs. • This can be a good option for investors who want to do house flipping or higher-cost real estate businesses down the line but do not currently have the capital. • The investor can get the E-2 for property management services with a lower investment amount and include house flipping as a business growth opportunity in the business plan and build up to this over time. |
• Real estate companies are often viewed with more scrutiny by Consular officers. • Can have significant compliance requirements. • The investor needs to to have an understanding of real estate law and building codes in the State(s) where they operate. |
Preparing Your E-2 Visa Application
E-2 treaty investors are required to show that they will develop and direct the E-2 company. It is not a requirement that the investor have experience with the particular business they plan to start or purchase, but it does make the case much stronger if the investor has a demonstrated record of success as an entrepreneur or has worked in a relevant industry.
At Scott Legal we have experience processing E-2 visas in many different industries, including the businesses described above. If you are interested in learning more about the E-2 visa we invite you to download our free immigration guides or join one of our webinars to learn more. To discuss your case and receive personalized advice, you can also schedule a consultation with our team.
