ukcclarke

Hi

We have a UK manufacturing and sales business and already sell into the USA. We don't know the market well so thought we would go out there and set up an office.

We have no idea where we will go - but would like to pick somewhere with better winter weather and come back to UK in summer.

Can you recommend a legal adviser to help us with the visa process - we don't know what type we will need.

There is my husband and I who both work in the business and also our 14 year old and our university son who is 21 soon. Many thanks in advance Chris

Jerseygirl

I have moved your post into a new thread, that way it will not get lost in an existing thread.

ukcclarke

Thank you - sorry this is the first forum and "threads" I have used so thanks for the guidance.

Jerseygirl

No problem...just let me know if you need help with anything.

Sorry if you think we have given you the 3rd degree in your other thread. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who wrongly believe they will get a US visa, only to find out that they don’t have a chance of obtaining one.

Nutmegger

scrubbedexpat099

https://www.us-visa.co.uk/

Noorah101

It must have been in another of your threads, but you said your business can be run from anywhere in the world. This actually works against you when trying to get a visa to live and work in the USA. You have to have a solid business reason for NEEDING to be in the USA, it can't just be because you want to spend the winter months here.

Rene

ukcclarke

Hi Rene
That is a really good point and very helpful. We manufacture products in UK that we already sell to the US and we have a new product being launched next year that will be successful in the US. We want to manufacture it there to reduce transportation costs. We also don't really understand Americans and the market so feel we should definitely base ourselves there for a while and learn/integrate as much as possible. We can technically run our business from anywhere but this particular product will need a US base so we will definitely focus on explaining why we need to be there.

Separate to the visa issues which I can clearly see are a lot more complicated than I expected. - We don't know where we should look at living. Florida seems to have some positive business attributes but it's a big place and we should also be looking at other areas too. We can go over in Jan/Feb for a month and scope out areas. I've been given a few recommendations for immigration lawyers so will line them up this week also. Let me know if you have any recommendations at all.

Many thanks
Chris

Noorah101

I don't know what your product is, but you'll probably want to see where it will be most cost effective to manufacture it in the USA. Also where the market for that product will be best. Also tax information for each state is different.

If you are looking at this from a business perspective, it will be about the smartest location for your business, not about your personal choice of weather, schools, fun activities, etc. Of course you might be able to have both, but then again, maybe not.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the product?

Rene

christmasoompa

Have you got a business plan for this expansion? If not, that's another thing to sort as well as a lawyer.

I would personally consult with a lawyer or two asap, as said above not everybody is eligible for a visa and it will depend on how much you're investing in the business and how many USC's you'll be employing etc. Definitely try and get a definitive answer on that side of things before going out to scope out areas for a month, that could be a waste of time and money if you can't move anyway.

I think it was mentioned on your other thread, but don't forget that if you do go down the E-2 visa route, there's no automatic route to a green card. As you have a teenage son this is particularly pertinent, it would be awful if he had to leave after a few years and return to the UK, so if a lawyer can come up with another visa route, that may be far better.

Good luck.

civilservant

The 21 year old is not going to be coming with you. He has aged out and is considered an adult so is not eligible for a derivative visa based on yours.

EDIT - I see you actually said 'soon to be 21' Even if you obtained a visa and he entered the US before his 21st, he would still have to leave on his birthday.

Jerseygirl

Please note this thread is to discuss visas...it is not to discuss Florida weather/schools etc or any other US locations. The OP already has a current thread to discuss these topics...

We want to move to Sarasota

SanDiegogirl

Something not mentioned .... how much money have you to invest in this new company in the US? Doesn't the E1 or E2 need investment money?

scrubbedexpat099

L would seem more obvious and yes the Business needs will determine location, why would you set up a manufacturing plant in a retirement location.

civilservant

If it's manufacturing, then really you need to be looking at the midwest. Cheaper labor, cheaper land, less unpredictable weather.

Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan etc.

Of course they aren't exactly known for their tourist charms.