E-2 Visa Success Story: Bulgarian Investor Secures Trucking Business Visa
We secured a 5-year E-2 Treaty Investor Visa for a Bulgarian client launching a startup commercial trucking company in Texas. The E-2 visa was approved at the US Consulate in Sofia, Bulgaria for 5 years, the maximum period allowed under the treaty between US and Bulgaria. The overall processing time was 5 months.
The company will initially focus on providing car hauling services across Texas, with plans to expand into cargo transportation.
Despite challenges such as a limited initial investment of $65,000 and owning only one truck at the time of application, we secured the E-2 visa. This case demonstrates that it is possible to obtain an E-2 visa for a startup trucking business with the right guidance and minimal resources, especially when the investor owns the necessary equipment outright.
Case Breakdown: Launching a US Trucking Business with a $65,000 Investment
- Investor Nationality: Bulgarian (E-2 Treaty Country)
- Consular Post: U.S. Consulate General in Sofia, Bulgaria
- Business Industry: Commercial Freight & Logistics (Car Hauling Services)
- Capital Invested: $65,000 (Outright Equipment Purchase)
- Key Assets: 1 Fully Owned Commercial Transport Truck
- Processing Timeline: 5 Months Total
- Visa Outcome: Approved for 5 Years (Maximum Validity under the US-Bulgaria Treaty)
E-2 visa for trucking business
While securing an E-2 visa with one truck is possible, low-capital applications face heightened scrutiny regarding non-marginality. Factors such as the investor’s business plan, industry knowledge, experience, and market potential can significantly influence the visa application’s outcome.
To overcome the $65,000 initial investment threshold, our legal strategy proved that the business was fully operational, economically viable, and capable of hiring U.S. drivers.
1. Equipment Capital Options for E-2 Fleet Expansion
Foreign investors do not need to buy every commercial vehicle in cash. While outright purchasing trucks and trailers is a common route to invest for an E-2 visa, investors do have flexibility in acquiring equipment for their E-2 visa trucking business.
Qualifying equipment acquisition methods include:
- Outright Cash Purchase: Buying trucks or trailers outright demonstrates unencumbered, irrevocable capital commitment.
- Commercial Leases & Lease-to-Own: Executing lease-to-own agreements or standard lease agreements with U.S. logistics companies reduces upfront capital requirements while establishing an operational fleet.
- Cross-Border Fleet Transfers: Contributing foreign-titled trucks to a new U.S. business entity. (This strategy is most efficient for Canadian and Mexican citizens due to proximity to the United States and streamlined import processes).
2. Industry Advantages for Canadian & Mexican Trucking Entrepreneurs
Mexican and Canadian citizens enjoy significant advantages when establishing trucking businesses in the U.S. with an E-2 visa:
- Driver License Reciprocal Recognition: Recognized Canadian/Mexican Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL).
- Streamlined Vehicle Imports: Direct land-border transit simplifies importing commercial tractors and trailers into the U.S.
However, the E-2 visa for trucking business is available to nationals from all E-2 treaty countries.
E-2 visa overview
The E-2 Investor Visa is available to individuals from E-2 treaty countries who make an investment 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 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.
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Contact us or book a consultation with our best E2 visa lawyers in USA. Our experienced Miami immigration lawyers can assist with your immigration case and other visa options available to you.
Our experienced E2 visa lawyers have a proven track record of successfully securing E2 visas for investors from around the world. Planning to purchase or launch a business in the United States? Malescu Law represents international entrepreneurs, foreign companies, and investors navigating the E-2 visa process. Our team prepares E-2 application packages tailored to U.S. Consular standards worldwide.
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:
- Comprehensive case strategy for complex E2 visa applications.
- Business formation and corporate structure
- Legal and financial due diligence.
- E2 business plan  drafting.
- Professional business valuations.
We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
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Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers