bazo101

hi there i am new to this site and have been understanding visa to live in America. The best route i can understand is the E2 Business Visa. i have around £110k ($175k) and i run several small business in the UK. i Would like to know from any one with experience of this type of visa is $175k enough to get the e2 visa through? i understand that it would be a tough few years with this amount of money but any advice is appreciated.

Iain

Hotscot

No, sorry. In my opinion it's not enough to establish a substantial business.
You'd burn through that in such a short term.
In addition the economic situation is not conducive to starting a business.

However admittedly that is very general...if you have a specific idea let us know and we'll provide specific opinions.

You can also discuss why you want to live in America and where.

civilservant

Also why you want to risk your capital on a venture that requires a visa that has no route to a Green Card, is notoriously difficult to renew, and will most likely result in you being forced to return to the UK (without having time to hire a manager to run your US business) in a couple of years.

ian-mstm

Can you afford to lose the entire £110k and get nothing in return? If so, the E-2 visa will probably work for you. If you can't afford the risk, don't do it... because you'll get nothing out of it except the experience of living in the US for 2 years while you watch your savings dwindle to nothing before your eyes.

Ian

sir_eccles

Not enough information.

Mr Folinsky frequently points out that there is no minimum investment amount (something about someone once doing it with 15k) and that is the wrong thing to latch onto. The business plan is much more important.

Bob

Don't forget you'll have all the other personal start up costs on top, house, car, insurance, utilities etc, which is a big wedge of cash.

You don't say what your other businesses are, but if they're not one man bands and can stay operational, there might be potential for a L1 starting up a US subsidy. But that's not an easy or cheap option either, but it would give more options than a E1.

Steve_

The regs say a "significant" investment which is at risk, there is no dollar amount, it depends on the investment really.

S Folinsky

The $15,000 case is a published case from the 80's entitled Walsh & Pollard

I remember Ron Klasko talking about $15,000, an office, a desk, a telephone and one potted plant -- to service a $300 million contract to provide design services.

These cases can be pretty fact specific. Legal consultation is a good idea. OP may want to consult with our good friend J Craig Fong

Chrisdc

Just a personal observation: Legitimacy seems to count for a lot. When we started our company, we felt it essential to get a functioning website, corporate identity, receptionist and bricks and mortar office. I remember USCIS requesting photos of our marketing materials - brochures, business cards, advertising materials etc.. Though this was for an H1b approval not E2. We had a comprehensive business plan, letters of commitment from potential clients and 60K of funding.