Success! Our team recently secured an E2 visa approval for a Canadian investor launching a mobile truck repair shop in the United States. Despite being told by other law firms that the business model was unfeasible for this visa type, the E2 visa was approved at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto for the maximum 5-year duration with no Request for Evidence (RFE). The entire process, from submission to approval, took only two months.
Strategic Solutions for the 1-Truck Business Model
The investor initially sought to enter the U.S. market with a single pickup truck to provide mobile truck repair service in Tampa Bay, Florida. His goal was to service truck owner-operators and small commercial fleets by initally using a single pickup truck equipped with advanced diagnostic tools.
Before finding our team, the investor had consulted several other immigration law firms. The other immigration attorneys dismissed the idea and discouraged the investor, claiming that the proposed business model of starting out with one service pickup truck was too small to meet the rigorous standards of the E2 visa requirements. They viewed the lack of a traditional physical location and a large multi-truck fleet as a dealbreaker.
However, our analysis led to a different conclusion: the business was entirely feasible and scalable, provided we addressed the regulatory challenges upfront through a precise legal strategy.
To qualify for an E2 visa, the investment must be “substantial” and the business must not be “marginal” (meaning it must have the capacity to do more than just support the investor and their family).
To avoid potential hurdles, we worked closely with the client to develop the E2 visa strategy and document every dollar and asset committed to the U.S. business., including:
- Substantial Investment: A total investment of approximately $100,000 in cash, plus an additional $31,000 in personally owned diagnostic equipment and specialized tools.
- GEO-Targeted Growth: A comprehensive E2 business plan highlighting the high demand for mobile vehicle repair and diagnostic services in the Tampa Bay and South Florida markets.
- Job Creation: A clear roadmap for hiring U.S. workers and transferring the investor’s specialized mechanical and technical knowledge to the local US workforce.
The Final Result
The preparation paid off during a brief, 10-minute interview at the US Consulte Toronto, Canada. Because the filing was comprehensive and preemptively answered potential concerns regarding marginality and investment size, the consular officer approved the visa on the spot.
This case serves as a powerful reminder that the E2 visa is not reserved solely for multi-million dollar investments. With a strategic legal approach, niche service-based businesses—like a mobile truck repair shop—can successfully be approved for E2 visa.
Overview of E2 Visa
The E-2 Investor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the U.S. by investing in a US business. This visa also extends to the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21. Furthermore, E-2 businesses can bring E2 employees in executive, managerial, or specialized roles essential to the firm’s operations in the U.S. You can establish a new business or buy an existing business to qualify for the E-2.
You can apply for E2 visa at a US Consulate abroad or through change of status to E2, if you are in the US. Keep in mind that applying for E2 while in the US is possible under certain circumstances, but is not available to individuals travelling to the United States on ESTA.
To learn more about visas for Canadians, visit E2 visa for Canadians and US visa for Canadian citizens.
To learn more about the options available for children aging out E2 visas visit Children aging out of E2 visa: What are their options?
Find out more about other E-2 visa success stories and approvals, E-2 visa for spouse and dependents, E-2 visa renewal process, other investment visa options, , E-2 for Australians, E-2 for UK Citizens and other visa options to start a business in the US for you.
Why Partner with Malescu Law for Your E-2 Visa?
Our E2 visa lawyers specialize in E-2 visa applications, including those involving existing business acquisitions, holding companies, complex corporate structures or E2 visa refusals.
We provide a full E2 visa service model, including:
- Business formation and corporate structure
- Legal and financial due diligence.
- E2 business plan drafting.
- Professional business valuations.
- Comprehensive case strategy for complex E2 visa applications.
We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Contact us or schedule a consultation.
Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers
