Compared to other non-immigrant visas, both the E2 Treaty Investor and E1 Treaty Trader Visa have a relatively high approval rating of 89%. A recent survey by the US Department of State found E2 visas accompanied by solid business plans enjoy an 80% rate of success.

At Hydra Consulting, we’ve proven to be even more successful with our E1 and E2 visa applications for our clients with a 100% success rate for business owners.

First, we believe the business plan you submit with your application should be a reflection of your unique business. That’s why we always try to look at things from your point of view.

Second, it’s important to keep in mind that your business plan is not being written for investors. Instead, its intended audience is the immigration authorities who will evaluate your application’s merits. A successful application will also take into account the preferences of the local US embassy and the plan structure required by immigration law.

Many times, companies come to us after they have already submitted their application and they’ve received a line of questioning from the authorities. But at this point, our ability to help is limited. To be able to navigate the process in the best way, we have to be a part of it from the very first step.

State the evolution of your business  

Does that sound too obvious? You would be surprised how many times it’s overlooked. You might know your business’ ins and outs but be sure to use clear language that lays out what your business does.

That can include any US market activities that you have already conducted. You might have had a client in the US, possibly you visited a trade show or took a business meeting. These interactions with the US market all count toward your US business expansion.

Look in the future, look at the US market predictions  

Your business might be doing well, but are you paying attention to global market predictions and how the US market is evolving? You need to support your US market expansion with numbers and be certain that there will be customers for you in the future.

Including projected growth, general market demand, analysis of risks, and most importantly, strategic market positioning in your business plan are essential elements the authorities will be looking for. Their inclusion will demonstrate that you’ve done your research and that you intend to make your business as successful as possible.

Emphasize your benefits to the US market 

This is probably the most important part of your business plan and is where you need to outline how your business will benefit the US economy over the next five years. Basically, this section can be boiled down to the amount of investment that your business will spend on wages, office expenses, professional services and other items. Including financial projections will also add viability and credibility to your business.

Be proud of your expertise and knowledge  

Especially, if you are a small or medium business, you will need proof of your knowledge and expertise. How long have you been in the industry? What tools have you developed? Are you willing to share your knowledge base with your local employees?

On the other hand, if you need to obtain any type of permit or license for your business, be open about having that need. It shows that you want to operate within the constraints of local laws.

Hopefully, these four points have been helpful in shaping your knowledge of the E1 and E2 visa application process. If you are considering expanding your business into the US market, we’d be happy to schedule a free consultation with you before submitting your application.