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For many people the opportunity of living and working in the USA would be something close to a dream come true. With inexpensive flights more and more people vacation in America each year and after a while they start to feel "at home" followed by "wouldn't it be great to live in America".

The USA has always excercised  more control over who it lets in to live and stay in the country especially from "over the pond ". Should you decide to go down this route it is imperative that you obtain independent professional advice.

As many visa applications are linked to businesses you will need a business broker (realtor) and a visa expert and you should make sure that the two parties are not linked in anyway.

That way you will avoid a conflict of interest, you will receive independent advice and your application will benefit from this approach.

Do not pay large upfront fees and walk away from advisers that insist you pay them.

Basically, there are two main business Visas for people from Europe, the L-1A and the E2 Treaty Investor.

Overview Intra Company Transfer L-1A Visa

This visa allows a manager or executive to enter the US and work in this capacity for a US subsidiary of the foreign employer. The foreign company has to continue in business for the length of time the manager lives in the US. This visa is popular as it has a perceived convertibility to a permanent residence or green card.

Overview  Treaty Investor Visa E-2

This visa is appropriate for investors wishing to purchase a fully qualifying business in the USA. There are a number of criteria to meet including the following:-

1.The investment made must be substantial.

2.The business must be able to support US workers together with the applicants family.

3.The investment has to be controlled by the treaty investor, this indicates that at least 50% of the business must be owned by the applicant.

4.The business must be actively traded and not a passive investment.

These notes are for information only and not in anyway meant to be an offer or a guarantee of visa qualification.

Should you wish to discuss a business purchase please contact our Broker/ CEO --Gordon Robinson.