|
B. Investors
The USA has treaties with
different countries that allow citizens of
those countries to make a substantial investment
in a business in the USA and come to the USA to
direct and manage their investment. (E-2 Temporary
Visa)
Citizens
of these countries can start a new business or
buy an existing business.
What
is substantial? There is no minimum dollar amount
set out in the law. It must be substantial for
that particular type of business.
A service-business investment
would usually not require as great an investment
as a manufacturing-business investment. A very
rough estimate of what might be regarded as a
“substantial” investment would be a range of $40,000
to several million dollars. This would depend
on the type of business.
The larger the investment,
the more the citizen will be allowed to borrow
to finance the purchase of the business. The citizen
must be personally responsible for repayment of
any loans incurred to buy the business. The assets
of the business cannot be the only security for
a loan.
It
can be a trading or service type business. An
investment in a property does not qualify unless
the property is a business, for example a hotel
or motel.
The foreign citizen/s must
own at least 50% (and have control) in the business.
USA citizens, other citizens or corporations can
own the remaining stock in the investment. A
foreign citizen can own 100% in the business.
The
investment must be made or committed to the business
before the visa will be granted. Money in the
bank, without having been spent will not qualify
as an “investment”.
More
information (click here)
Employment
creation visa.
An
investment in a business of a million dollars
or more that creates ten new jobs is a basis for
obtaining permanent residence in the USA. In certain
designated areas the amount of the investment
is reduced to $500,000.
|
