How An E-2 Visa Business Plan Helps You Launch a U.S.-Based Business

According to the Center of Immigration Studies, the E-2 visa approval rate for 2021 was 92.5%, a number that conveys a positive message, proving that it’s possible to start a business in the US as a non-citizen. However, E-2 visa applications are complex and demanding. There are a number of E-2 visa requirements immigration officers look for before approving anyone’s plans to operate a venture in the US.

Among other things, the E-2 visa application needs to demonstrate that the entrepreneur is planning to make a viable investment in a well-thought-out business. Here’s where creating an E-2 visa business plan comes into play.

How can a business plan help in obtaining an E-2 visa?

A business plan plays a crucial role in obtaining an E-2 visa. It gives applicants an opportunity to demonstrate to immigration authorities that they have the qualifications and financial means to run a venture and a solid business idea.

Demonstrating the viability of the business

To increase your chances of securing an E-2 visa, it’s crucial to convince immigration authorities that the business is viable and able to make a profit in the near future. This should be your focus while preparing an E-2 visa business plan, which needs to include: 

• Extensive market research
• Sales projections
• Financial forecasts. 

The business plan should clearly show that you know the market and industry inside and out. You must know the target audience, their needs and expectations, and be on top of industry trends. To make it more compelling, your plan should include an explanation of the problem the business is going to address and demonstrate how it will tackle it. 

Immigration officials are interested not only in how the company will enhance people’s lives but also in its potential impact on the economy. Will it create job opportunities, fill economic gaps, drive innovation, and introduce new technology? Your business plan should offer clear answers to these important questions.

Illustrating the profit potential of your business entails financial forecasting. This means including projected revenue streams and profit and loss statements for at least the first five years of the business.

Showing commitment

E-2 visa applications need to show the applicant’s dedication to the company. A comprehensive business plan will demonstrate commitment toward maintaining a successful business in the US. 

Professional business plans explain the nature of the business, what the daily operations will look like, and how the applicants plan to stay financially viable and grow. 

Such a plan should feature growth simulations for up to 5 years, which is the maximum duration of E-2 visas. Immigration officials will look for the following information:

• Who the applicant is and what qualifications he or she possesses
• How the applicant will support their dependents (i.e., immediate family members joining them in the US)
• Who the employees will be (if known)
• How the company plans on creating new vacancies.

Highlights from the key pieces of information listed above should be included in the business plan’s Executive Summary. For inspiration, here’s an example from one of Joorney’s E-2 visa business plan templates: 

Communicating the vision

The US market is very competitive. In 2023 alone, more than 1.3 million new business applications were submitted. This means that in order to succeed, companies need to find a way to stand out. An E-2 visa business plan must include the unique selling proposition and competitive advantages of the business. Both of these can also be included in the executive summary. Make sure to explain long-term plans and aspirations, as well as the impact the business will have on the economy and society. 

One of the criteria that immigration officials use to review each application is the applicant’s background, including education and experience. The more an applicant can demonstrate the necessary knowledge and expertise to successfully run a business, the better the chance of meeting the E-2 visa requirements. 

Supporting financial projections

E-2 visa business plans serve another vital role – they illustrate the applicant’s financial projections by:

• Allowing the immigration authorities to understand the business context
• Breaking down revenue goals into detailed profits and expenses.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website doesn’t specify a minimum investment for some visas – it only mentions that the applicant must contribute with “a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide enterprise in the United States”. That said, an E-2 visa will only be granted if the applicant holds no less than 50% of the enterprise’s ownership or maintains operational authority over it. Also, they must prove that their funds come from a legal, credible source. This could be the applicant’s savings, sale of valuable assets, or existing, recurring income from other ventures, among other things. 

When discussing financial projections of a business, there is no substitute for clear profit and loss statements. 

Profit and Loss Table

 Profit and Loss Chart

There is a common misconception that creating a business plan, including its financial simulations, will be a one-off engagement needed solely for obtaining a visa. The reality, however, is that a business plan acts as a blueprint for the path forward. It holds a wealth of information that can guide business owners through unexpected challenges and provide a measure of progress. 

Any entrepreneur operating on the basis of an E-2 visa should run the numbers regularly and use them to refine the sales strategy regularly. By doing so, the business will have access to all the vital information needed to renew the visa once it runs its course.  

Work with an expert to meet E-2 visa requirements

An E-2 business plan should include all the information required by the immigration authorities, communicated in a way that persuades them of the applicant’s eligibility to run a successful business in the USA. However, it’s important to remember that the document serves a much broader purpose than just immigration – it also paves the way for the venture’s market success. A business plan focused solely on securing an E-2 visa approval, which lacks the depth needed to meet the company’s long-term market success, is ultimately, an incomplete business plan. 

To ensure that you create a persuasive, comprehensive business plan and get all the paperwork right, it’s worth partnering with a specialist. Joorney prepares over 3,000 business plans a year for this visa type and we work with clients referred to us by more than a thousand immigration professionals. 

We understand what it takes to create a clear and compelling business plan that puts you closer to where your ambitions want to take you. 

Reach out to learn how we can support you in your E-2 visa application.