Your Path to an E-2 Visa Through Business Ownership in Florida
Gain a clear understanding of how foreign investors may qualify for an E-2 visa by purchasing a U.S. business. Receive organized guidance, full confidentiality, and a well-structured process as you explore opportunities across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and the rest of Florida.
Securing an E-2 visa by investing in a U.S. business can open the door to long-term opportunity,
financial stability, and the ability to live and work in Florida. The process can seem complex at
first, but selecting the right business and following a clear, organized plan makes the experience
far more manageable.
My role is to guide you through the business acquisition side of your journey. This includes helping
you identify suitable opportunities, reviewing financial and operational information, coordinating
due diligence with your advisors, and assisting you in structuring a strong, fair offer.
For the immigration portion of the process, I always recommend working directly with a qualified
immigration attorney. The information on this page is general and intended for education only. With
the right legal guidance and a well-chosen business investment, you can pursue an E-2 strategy with
clarity and confidence.
What Is an E-2 Visa?
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows qualifying foreign nationals from treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in and actively managing a business. Only an immigration attorney can confirm eligibility, but most E-2 investors look for businesses that:
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Require a substantial investment relative to their overall cost
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Operate as real, active enterprises rather than passive or speculative ventures
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Can reasonably support the investor and contribute to the local economy
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Require active involvement from the owner in daily operations or decision-making
My focus is on helping you locate and evaluate businesses in Florida that may align with these characteristics, and on coordinating the transaction alongside your financial and legal advisors.
My Role and Your Attorney’s Role
What I Handle (Business and Transaction Side)
- Clarifying your investment goals and preferred Florida markets
- Identifying businesses that may be suitable for E-2 investors
- Coordinating financial and operational information from sellers
- Organizing due diligence with your accountant and attorney
- Helping you structure and negotiate a fair, well-supported offer
- Assisting with your transition into ownership after closing
What Your Immigration Attorney Handles (Legal and Visa Side)
- Confirming eligibility, investment structure, and visa strategy
- Advising on documentation, dependents, and immigration timelines
- Preparing and submitting your E-2 petition and supporting evidence
- Communicating with immigration authorities or consulates
I do not provide legal or immigration advice. Instead, I work in partnership with your professional advisors to keep the business side organized and aligned with your attorney’s overall strategy.
Step-by-Step Overview
This process mirrors my Buyer Procedures framework but is tailored specifically for foreign investors pursuing an E-2 visa through business ownership in Florida.
Clarify Your E-2 Investment Goals
We begin by discussing your background, business experience, investment range, and long-term plans for living and working in Florida. This helps narrow down business types, preferred markets such as Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach, and the operational roles that best support your E-2 objectives.
Coordinate With an Immigration Attorney
Before moving forward, you should speak with a qualified immigration attorney. They will confirm eligibility, explain investment expectations, review the visa timeline, and outline the documentation required. I work alongside your attorney so your business search and visa strategy stay aligned.
Explore E-2-Friendly Business Opportunities in Florida
Once your goals are established, I help you review businesses for sale across Florida that may fit general E-2 expectations. These may include established businesses with steady cash flow, proven franchise models, and opportunities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and other regions. Each option is pre-screened for operational strength and suitability.
Sign a Confidentiality Agreement
Before detailed information is shared, you will sign a confidentiality agreement to protect the seller’s business. Once in place, you receive financial summaries, business descriptions, and operational details that help you determine whether the opportunity is worth pursuing.
Review the Business and Meet the Seller
If the business appears promising, I arrange a structured call or meeting with the seller. This is your opportunity to understand how the business operates, ask questions, and evaluate whether it matches your skills, investment goals, and E-2 strategy.
Submit an Offer
When you are ready to move forward, you submit a written offer. Depending on the nature of the business, this may take the form of a Letter of Intent or an Asset Purchase Agreement. Most small-business transactions use an Asset Purchase Agreement that outlines price, terms, training, non-compete provisions, and the transition plan. Your attorney reviews or prepares the document to ensure accuracy.
Conduct Due Diligence With Your Advisors
Once the offer is accepted, due diligence begins. Working with your accountant and attorney, you verify financial performance, tax filings, contracts, licenses, permits, leases, and employee, vendor, and customer relationships. My role is to coordinate communication, keep information organized, and help the process move forward efficiently. Traditional SBA financing is not available for E-2 visa investors. Any financing must be compliant with E-2 requirements, which your attorney will advise on.
Finalize the Purchase and Prepare for Transition
Once due diligence is complete and your attorney confirms the appropriate closing strategy, you proceed to the closing phase. Depending on legal guidance, this may involve a traditional closing before the visa filing, a conditional closing using escrow, or a closing structure that is completed only after E-2 approval. Your attorney finalizes the documents, funds are arranged, and the transaction closes. I assist with training arrangements, operational handoffs, and introductions so you step into ownership with confidence.
Work With Your Attorney on the E-2 Visa Filing
Your immigration attorney manages the visa portion of the process. Depending on the strategy you choose together, your attorney may file the E-2 application before closing using escrow protections or after the business purchase is complete. They prepare the petition, organize supporting documents, and guide you through interviews, requirements, and timelines. I provide any business-related documentation they need.
Ready to Explore an E-2 Business Investment in Florida?
If you are considering an E-2 visa and want to explore business opportunities in Florida, I can help you evaluate the business side of the process and coordinate with your professional advisors. Whether you are early in your research or already working with an immigration attorney, we can discuss your goals, timeline, and investment range and begin identifying opportunities that may support your E-2 strategy. Let’s talk about your objectives and start mapping out your E-2 investment plan today.
E-2 Visa Investor FAQs
For educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney for legal guidance.
No. Only an immigration attorney can determine whether a business meets E-2 requirements. My role is to help you review the opportunity and provide any information your attorney requests.
There is no required industry. The business must be active, operating, and not a passive investment. Many E-2 investors choose businesses with staff, customers, and steady revenue.
There is no fixed minimum. The investment must be substantial compared to the cost of the business and sufficient to support ongoing operations. Your attorney will advise on what is appropriate for your case.
E-2 investors should be prepared to fund most of the investment personally. In some situations, financing secured by personal assets may be acceptable, but loans tied directly to the business typically do not meet E-2 standards. Your immigration attorney will guide you on which funding structures comply with visa requirements.
Yes. E-2 investors are expected to direct and manage the business. I help you find opportunities that match the level of involvement you prefer.
Yes. Spouses may apply for work authorization, and children under 21 may attend school in the United States. Your attorney will advise on eligibility.
Timelines vary depending on your consulate, documentation, and filing strategy. Your attorney can provide a realistic estimate.
Ideally, yes. Coordinating your business search with your attorney’s immigration strategy helps ensure the process stays aligned from the beginning.
Possibly, but changes can affect your visa status. Always consult your attorney before making alterations to your E-2 business structure.
Yes. I regularly assist international buyers exploring opportunities in Florida. We can coordinate.