Q: What kind of visa will my friend need if he is planning to come here and do business?

A: Hello,

There are several "business" visas available. What kind of visa is suitable for your friend depends on the type of business and the amount of money he/she will invest in that business. Talk to an immigration attorney or have your friend talk to an immigration attorney in private to identify which visa is best for your friend.

All the best.

-Shan Potts

www.pottsmartinez.com

+1 (323) 803 7147

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15 years of successful immigration law experience. The answer above is only general in nature cannot be construed as legal advice, given that not enough facts are known. It is your responsibility to retain a lawyer to analyze the facts specific to your particular situation in order to give you specific advice. Specific answers will require cognizance of all pertinent facts about your case. Any answers offered are of a general nature only and are not meant to create an attorney-client relationship.

A: If he is from a country which has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the US, he may be eligible for an E-2 treaty investor visa.

E2 visa - Treaty Investors

Owner or Developer of the new enterprise from a treaty country that has 50% or more ownership in a substantial US ‘employment creating’ investment.

The Treaty Investor Visa permits citizens of certain Countries (see list below) to reside in the United States through an investment in the U.S.A. The investor must come to manage or oversee the investment.

You can invest in virtually anything or trade in virtually anything. While some investments of less than $100,000 are approved, its safe to say that the investment capital and reserves should total at least $100,000 - $200,000 and the applicant must be prepared to demonstrate/project that the business will employ at least 3 - 4 persons.

The E2 visa lasts as long as the holder maintains the investment.

Investors must place their funds in the hands of a bank or closing agent who is instructed to release the funds to the seller of the property or business upon visa approval.

Investors developing their own business must come to the US as business visitors to get the business started before applying for the Treaty Investor visa.

E2 visas are considered nonimmigrant visas. However, once an investor is able to qualify and enter into the U.S. in this category, they are able to look for other opportunities and to apply for green cards and eventually citizenship.

Countries that Maintain Treaties of Navigation and Commerce with the United States for E2 Visa Purposes

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Congo, Romania, Senegal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia.