Preparing for the E2 visa business process can seem daunting, but having a solid business plan is key. This step-by-step guide breaks down everything you need to know to write an E2 visa business plan that checks all the boxes.
What is an E2 Visa?
The E2 visa business offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs from treaty countries to live and do business in the United States.
Often referred to as the “investor visa”, the E2 visa program has specific requirements related to the investment amount, nature of the business, job creation, and source of funds.
Meeting these requirements begins with writing a comprehensive E2 visa business plan.
Writing E2 visa business plan not only helps you organize and formalize your ideas but also allows immigration officials to better evaluate your visa eligibility.
With the right preparation, you can mitigate risk and pave the way for securing your E2 status.
Determine E2 Visa Eligibility
Before outlining your business plan, first confirm that you and your company qualify for the E2 program. The prerequisites are:
- Citizenship from a qualifying treaty country – The E2 has specific country eligibility based on trade treaties and agreements with the U.S. Verify that your citizenship meets this requirement.
- Substantial capital investment – You must invest a “substantial amount” defined as enough capital to start a viable, operating enterprise. Typically, $100,000 or higher is considered substantial.
- Direct and active management of the business – You must have a controlling interest in the business (50% or more ownership) and be directly involved in the day-to-day operations.
- Company is real and operating – The E2 cannot be used for idle investment. The business must be legitimate and actively doing trade or services, as indicated by an operating office, website, invoices, contracts, etc.
With the fundamentals covered, let’s examine the key sections to include in your written E2 visa business plan.
Related: 7 Best Businesses for E2 Visas Application & Investment
Write E2 Visa Business Plan
Kicking things off with a high-level overview of 1-2 pages, the executive summary of the E2 visa business plan covers the crux of your planned operations. Succinctly explain:
- Overview of company and objectives
- Ownership structure
- Products/services offered
- Target markets and customers
- Capital investment amount
- Expected financial performance
This section makes an initial case for how your business meets E2 eligibility requirements.
Company Description
The company description fleshes out details on your E2 business ownership, team, location, and more. Essential areas to cover include:
- Legal business name and ownership structure
- Bios on owners/key management, highlighting credentials
- Office headquarters location and any other operational facilities
- Number of existing and/or expected employees
Certain corporate structures like LLCs or S-Corps are generally more advantageous for E2 applicants compared to partnerships or sole proprietorships.
Business Industry Analysis
Gaining context through industry research is crucial for multiple aspects of your E2 application. In this section, provide an overview of:
- Description of your niche, sector, products, and services
- Analysis of overall industry size, growth trends, opportunities
- Competitor profiling – Direct and indirect rivals in the space
- Differentiators – What sets your business apart
Conducting this competitive analysis not only displays due diligence to immigration officials but also benefits your actual operations.
Target Markets and Customers
Defining your target customer base is particularly important for the E2 to determine eligibility. Provide specifics on:
- Geographic market scope – Local, domestic, and/or international
- Target customer profiles and audience segments
- Total addressable market size
- Key demands, preferences, and purchasing criteria
Explicitly note if you plan to export products/services outside the U.S., as this trading activity directly aligns with E2 program goals.
Marketing and Sales Strategy
Expanding on competitive positioning, provide an overview of key marketing and sales strategies such as:
- Branding – Logo, colors, messaging
- Advertising Channels – SEM, social media, trade publications
- Sales approach – Direct sales, resellers, digital e-commerce
- Sales collateral – Brochures, presentations, free trials
- Partnerships – Relevant strategic alliances and partnerships
Address specifics on how you will attract U.S. clientele and grow the business post-E2 approval.
Operations Plan
The operations plan has a dual significance, explaining logistics while also showing substantial business activity beyond a passive investment. Discuss:
- Geographic location(s) and facilities
- Workflow processes, systems, and software
- Supply chain and sourcing partners
- Ongoing R&D and product development
- Necessary licenses, permits, regulations
- Key operational milestones and timelines
Elaborate on any specialized equipment, intellectual property, patents, proprietary tech/processes intrinsic to operations.
Organizational Structure and Management Team
The management team section directly connects to the E2 criteria requiring direct and active control of the business. For each major role, define:
- Position titles and hierarchy flowchart
- Individual profiles and prior experience
- Salary levels and compensation
- Specific day-to-day responsibilities
- Plans for directing hiring as operations grow
Emphasizing C-level positions and the controlling stake of the E2 investor affirms your central role.
Capital Investment and Funding Sources
The crux of your whole E2 application lies in quantifying your capital investment. This section should capture:
- Breakdown of investment amount, assets, collateral
- Sources of capital – business vs personal funds
- Documentation verifying funds – bank/investment statements
- Plans for sustained future investment
Common qualifying assets include cash, equipment, intellectual property, inventory, premises, and operational expenses.
Financial Plan and Projections
The final components to include are current and projected financial statements. Provide historic data if available, along with pro forma projections covering:
- Startup capitalization table – assumptions and allocation
- P&L statements – 3-year annual projections
- Revenue forecast – sales cycle modeling
- Expense budget – fixed vs variable costs
- Breakeven analysis – ROI milestones
Conservative growth estimates aligned to industry benchmarks carry more credibility than exaggerated hype. Pad projections to absorb unforeseen events.
Writing E2 Visa Business Plan
With proper preparation, an E2 business plan not only articulates operational specifics to immigration adjudicators but also serves as an indispensable blueprint for actually launching and running your U.S. company.
Pay particular attention to assembling evidence and paperwork that supports claims made in the plan.
By proactively answering likely E2 RFE requests upfront, you can avoid lengthy delays from USCIS. Common additional documents required include:
- Capital evidence – bank/investment account statements
- Prior business registration docs – licences, tax records
- Client contracts – validating trading activity
- Office lease agreement, deeds – proving operational premises
- Marketing examples – website, ads, brochures
- Staff payroll records – demonstrating job creation
With all these key pieces in place, you can confidently submit a compelling E2 business plan and petition packet, achieving your dreams of living and doing business in America. Just be sure to incorporate any specific suggestions from your immigration lawyer.
Stay tuned for our next instalment offering a downloadable E2 business plan template and sample.