One of the primary hurdles for an E-2 visa petition is proving a petitioner has made a “substantial investment” in their U.S. enterprise. This step shows a petitioner has skin in the game – that they are serious about starting a business, setting it up for success, and growing their enterprise. For more information on what makes a substantial investment, click here.
Beyond the size of the substantial investment is the quality of the investment. It is not enough to have money sitting in a bank account for operating expenses. How an E-2 visa investor invests in their business can go a long way in a successful petition.
What counts as a business investment for an E-2 investment visa petition?
Setting up your business
- Website – acquisition, website development, and hosting
- Legal fees – trademark, business entity establishment
Setting up your office
- Lease or property purchase
- Furniture
- Computers, printers, IT and software
- Phones
- Utilities
Cost of doing business
- Employee payroll
- Inventory
- Advertising and marketing expenses
- Intellectual property
- Vehicles used exclusively for business
- Business operating expenses – must be accessible in a business bank account
While there may be costs incurred during the set up of your business, such as travel to the United States, lodging and transportation, these should not be included in the petition. Every business is different, and this is not an exhaustive list of applicable expenses for a substantial investment. Fill out this form to request a complimentary consultation.
