Re: Self Employment

Hi I am new to this forum.I've looked
high and low.I was thinking of going
to the USA on an investors visa E Visa.
But am afraid it is kinda risky as I
wanted to purchase a house cleaning
franchise, but what if I spend the
money and I do not get lots of clients
then what, it is risky. So, I was
thinking is there any kinda visa to
go to the USA as a self employed person
to open up their own business and
hire people to work for me. Hope
someone can help me out. Thanks

If you're buying an existing business then you can use an escrow to eliminate the risk of a visa denial. For example the sale would be contingent upon issuance of an E visa. If the visa were not issued, the sale would not go through.

well this is a franchise.only it would
be new in the area where i'd be moving
to.but is there such a thing as a visa
for self employment.ie.if i were to
go there and open up my own business.

E-2

yeah the E-2 visa is if i want to buy
the franchise and run it.but how about
is there a visa of any kinda if i wanted
to open up my own small business and
hire people to work for me other than
the E-2 visa for the franchise

and i'm worried as well if this
franchise i'm wanting to purchase does
not work out can i start my own business
and still have the E-2 visa or is there
another visa then.as i want to do all
this legally without any mistakes before
i do go ahead

From my interpretation of the law, you would need to establish proof that you have or will be investing in the United States and I think the minimum investment is about 1 million dollars.

So requesting a visa, with the intent of establishing the business may not be enough.

i have already inquired about an E Visa
from an immigration lawyer online.my
question is if i do get it and things do
not work out with the franchise i'd be
purchasing is there another visa i would
get.and start my own business there.
same kind of business in case the
franchise did not go anywhere

yeah the E-2 visa is if i want to buy
the franchise and run it.but how about
is there a visa of any kinda if i wanted
to open up my own small business and
hire people to work for me other than
the E-2 visa for the franchise

Then you would need another E-2 for that business.

The investment is not $1,000,000, thats EB-5.

I'm guessing you would need to get another E-2, however if you structure your business cleverly enough (so you can diversify it) then the first visa would cover you. Set up a corporation to do it. But you have to be careful to stay within the criteria for an E-2 or whatever visa you get.