What's an E-2 Visa?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a sub-department of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, defines a E-2 Visa as a means for a "a national of a treaty country (a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation) to be admitted to the United States when investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business."
E-2 Visa Value
E-2 Visas can be an interesting method for long-term stay in the United States due to the fact that it's relatively straightforward and can result in faster entry. A person starting a business with an E-2 Visa may bring along their family members. The Citizen and Immigration Services website states that a E-2 Visa holder may bring with them their "spouses and unmarried children below the age of 21 years of age". Their spouse and children need not be of the same nationality as the Visa holder, and if they are already in the country they may fill a Form I-539 form to apply to convert their status to that of the E-2.
Franchising
Often E-2 Visa applicants look to American franchise opportunities as a way to streamline their candidacy. A part of the E-2 Visa process is to present how the applicant will be investing a "substantial amount of capital". Accordingly, E-2 applicants utilize franchising because a franchise comes with a plan for investment. As franchises are well established, there is an established training plan, and the business is likely to provide American jobs, combining an E-2 Visa with franchising can be a good match.
E-2 Visas from the U.K.
British citizens are able to apply for an E-2 Visa as the United Kingdom and the United States of America have in place an appropriate treaty of commerce and navigation, effective since July 3, 18151 (America's oldest such trade treaty). You may learn more about the process at the website for the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom. Said Embassy is located in London and their phone number is [44] (0)20 7499-9000.
Furthermore, you may seek the advice of an attorney in your quest for an E-2 Visa. There are several attorneys in the United Kingdom who may be able to assist you in your journey.
British in America
According the U.S. Census Bureau, British is the most common heritage of Americans. There is a similar number of Americans with British heritage as there are people in Britain. The largest periods of immigration were in the 1700s and early 1800s, but there is still a healthy demand for immigration and visas from the United Kingdom to the United States as British citizens pursue warmer weather in a nation with similar traditions and language. Areas with significant British heritage include the Pacific Northwest, New England, and the South.
To learn more about franchising with You've Got Maids, follow the link below to our franchising home page and either phone our office and fill out a form. One of our franchise advisors will be happy to answer all of your questions.
