E-2 Investor Visas: Options and Strategies
The U.S. economy turns on constant inflows of new investment – including, and especially, non-U.S. investment. Subject to a number of caveats, the U.S. offers visas to foreign investors (and their same-country designees) who invest a substantial, controlling investment in a commercially-viable U.S. company. The visa is called an E-2 Investor Visa and it is based on the existence of a commerce and navigation treaty between your home country and the U.S.
Let us assume that:
You are a citizen of Atlantis.
You seek to invest in a U.S. company called Newcorp.
Requirements for an E-2 Visa in this context:
There must exist the right sort of treaty between the U.S. and Atlantis. Click here to check if such a treaty exists.
Many important countries do not have the requisite treaty with the U.S.: Brazil, China, India, Israel, and Russia lack the treaty. Citizens of these countries are not eligible for E-2 visas.
This application would ultimately be submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Atlantis.
You would incorporate a new company in the U.S. – Newcorp.
The total investment in Newcorp must be substantial — typically $100,000, but it can be somewhat less, if an accountant agrees that the lower investment level is sufficient to launch the business.
Shareholders with Atlantis citizenship must own 50% or more of the investment in Newcorp.
A U.S. accountant must confirm that a substantial investment in Newcorp has been made.
The investment cannot simply sit in a bank account, but must be committed to Newcorp’s operations: office (and, perhaps, warehouse) rent, salaries, inventory, equipment.
You will come to the U.S. to manage the investment.
You must prove that Newcorp is commercially viable - a detailed business plan is necessary.
Newcorp must be an active operation.
Newcorp must project a plan for hiring people in the future.
E-2 Visas are issued for up to 5 years and can be renewed. (Typically, investors in startup companies receive a shorter initial period, like 3 years. Visa duration can even be less for citizen of countries subject to visa reciprocity rules.)
If you have an existing company in Atlantis and seek to establish a U.S. subsidiary or affiliate, you may also qualify for the L-1A visa (transferred Executive within an international corporate group).
The E-2 Visa process is complicated. You need an experienced lawyer to establish and document a compelling narrative of your U.S. company’s past, its current operations and its future promise. We invite you to discuss your options with our team.
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash.
