We recently received approval of an E-2 investor visa from the U.S. Consulate in Perth, Australia.
The applicant is an Australian national who established a life coaching business offering private coaching, workshops, retreats, digital education, and media content.
The E-2 investor visa is available to nationals of countries that hold a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. It allows a treaty national to enter the U.S. to develop and direct a business in which they have invested, and it can be renewed for as long as the business continues to meet the requirements.
Applicants outside the United States apply at a U.S. consulate, while those already in the country may instead file a change of status.
A coaching practice is a service business rather than a capital-intensive one, which changes what the file has to prove. There is no fixed dollar threshold for an E-2 investment, so the question is whether the amount committed is substantial in proportion to what the business costs to launch and run.
Our firm’s presentation focused on the applicant’s substantial investment, prior business experience, the company’s operational readiness, demonstrated commercial interest, and plans for growth and U.S. job creation.
Each of those elements answers a specific requirement. Operational readiness addresses whether the enterprise is real and ready to trade rather than an idea on paper. Prior business experience speaks to the applicant’s ability to develop and direct the company. Plans for growth and U.S. job creation address marginality, the requirement that the business be capable of doing more than supporting the investor and their family.
If you are considering an E-2 investor visa for a business of your own, schedule a consultation with our team to discuss how your case should be presented.
