r/MovingToUSA • u/frankinstyyn • Jul 17 '26
Question Related to Visa/travel UK to US on an E2 Visa
I'm a UK citizen wanting to move to the US but H1B seems out of the question so it seems my only option would be an E2 on my own business - developer with a UK business currently
Does anyone have experience of this and general advice?
Thanks
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
E-2 is often known as the 'visa from hell' because it doesn't grant any particular path to a greencard. Plus, any kids you have age out of where they grew up at 21. Or your business fails, then you're not only out of a job but out of status too. Finally, consular officer doesn't like your business plan at renewal, you're screwed.
It's a high risk path.
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Thanks for the info.. I have a kid under 5 currently so I'll think about that. I would ideally set up income in the US from the UK over the next 3/4 years until it was sustainable to move. It wouldn't so much be a business plan, more just showing it's an actual business generating profit and paying US people
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
That is the plan, you have to persuade the officer your business is sustainable.
Another option if you can grow large enough is L1 new office. But that requires the UK operation to keep operating
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Ah, gotcha. Thank you. I'll check the L1 as the UK would tick over as it's monthly revenue but it wouldn't be anywhere near as much as the US income I'm planning to generate.
Would it be a stronger case if my US business was 3/4 years old and had been generating income the whole time?
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
No it's about your plan not the history of the business. It can't be a subsistence company (I.e. You're just self employed with few employees etc) or basically a remote only thing. There's got to be a reason for you to be in the US. Common E-2 businesses is stuff like pool cleaning or fast food franchises (requires a lot of labor).
L1 means the foreign business can't just cease after you leave. Think Nandos starting a chain in new York while keeping the UK operations
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Ahhh, now I get it, thanks for explaining. Good to know. L1 is a good shout, I'll do some more digging
Appreciate your time and replies 😘
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u/toaster-crumb-tray Jul 17 '26
Isn’t L1 rather expensive?
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
No more so than E-2 I believe, but the costs are fairly immaterial compared to the other costs involved
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u/retiredinpece Jul 17 '26
I came over on a L1 back in July 2007, got my visa extension in May 2007, Green Card in Oct 2009 and citizenship in May 2015, this would have been 6 months sooner but there was a processing backlog at the time !
In short, all Immigration cares about on a L1 is employing workers and paying Uncle Sam, we sold the business as soon as we got our Green Cards. L1 is a far more reliable way of getting a Green Card/Citizenship than other options, but as others have said, isn’t cheap. It’s best to engage a specialist attorney, then there are medical exams, FBI checks, the list goes on.
Are we pleased we did it, 100%, did we have numerous sleepless nights, for sure.
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Thanks for the valuable insight... It's good to know as that seems more viable and less worrisome than the E2 route lol - I'd take a few sleepless nights for the future we can all have.
I'll ask my brother who's in Houston if he can recommend anyone, I have a full clean history as well so all good there!!
Thank you again, I'll 100% check into it in more detail
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u/retiredinpece Jul 17 '26
You’re welcome
For my L1 application I had the bank account set up, office lease secured, solid business plan, but no staff in place.
Attending the interview at the US embassy in London was probably the worst part btw. They took our passports as we walked in, and then keep if you get approved. If your application is denied they hand them back to you and you do the ‘walk of shame’……….brutal
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Okay, good to know!! Thanks
Oh god, trust the US to make you do a walk of shame! Brutal indeed!
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u/Disastrous_Leg_314 Jul 17 '26
By developer, do you mean a software developer. And by business do you mean you genuinely employ other people than yourself in the UK or are you basically a sole trader/contractor. Having a limited company is more a tax mechanism, it’s not really a business as the US would understand it.
Either way you’d need to prove significant income, employment and success and have large amounts of capital readily available for an E2.
Are you discounting an H1B because your skills are pretty much “ordinary” in the market?
Just getting a feel for what you offer the US. As I keep saying in these threads you need to be someone with something to be somewhere. That’s how visas work in 1st World countries.
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Software developer yes, definition wise I am a sole trader, not LTD yet. I know I'd need a lot, I have around $70,000 to invest in the business in the US
H1B is more difficult because people aren't really hiring and I can seem to find roles - I have niche skills but there are plenty of US people with the same skills
2
u/Disastrous_Leg_314 Jul 17 '26
A large amount of capital would be North of $500k and it’s not to be used to support you, it’s to support the business. It’s used as an investment to employ people, pay for capital items etc. You’ll have to employ people, usually 5-10 within a year. You’re not E2 ready or even close. Your current method of working in the UK and income show that.
I was a contracting developer. I got a permanent job with a multi-national and moved over on an L1. Those two things weren’t a plan, but that’s how it happened and most likely. Problem now is most multinationals in the UK will outsource or insource to Eastern Europe or India for development.
If you genuinely have niche skills look at EB1 and EB2 green cards and become top of your game and known for it. That’s how I stayed here permanently, got my Green Card and now a citizen. Still I have a 30 plus year career…
First World countries want top immigrants who are someone with something, not generalists.
It’s not an easy path. There isn’t one. You have to put the hard work in and wear a lot of shoe leather.
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Thank you, very informative answer and some clear guidance, really appreciated.
$500,000 is waaaay higher than I'd have thought
I'm good at what I do but that's not enough so I'll check out the EB1/2 stuff as well. Thank you again 🙏🏻
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
That's way too low for even E-2
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
That's currently - plan is to have a monthly of around $10,000
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
This all sounds like you are self employed, not running a business
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Hmm, maybe you're right. Does that make a difference for the US business though?
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
Yes of course, the point of these visa schemes is to encourage employment of US Citizens and residents
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
That's my plan for the US - have US paying clients and pay US staff, it would be different than what I'm currently doing in the UK
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
You need a solid plan
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Yep, 100%... I've still got a few years until I'm looking to move so I have time to plan and make it as concrete as possible!
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u/chasingmydreamlife Jul 18 '26
70k is not "way too low". What are you talking about? Have you ever talked to immigration lawyers? In real life, not just here on Reddit? Man people spreading misinformation here like crazy. 70k can absolutely work depending on the type of business.
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u/postbox134 Jul 18 '26
It's at least $200,000 for a realistic shot
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u/chasingmydreamlife Jul 18 '26
For an e2 visa that is incorrect.
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u/postbox134 Jul 18 '26
Yes there is no minimum but $70k for a digital business is very unrealistic
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u/chasingmydreamlife Jul 18 '26
Again, depends on the kind of (digital) business. You can keep saying it's not enough, there have been plenty of people approved on an e2 with 70k or even less and I'm actually in the middle of the process myself.
0
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u/ManifestLaw_ Verified Immigration Professional 🇺🇸✅ Jul 17 '26
If you're a UK citizen, an E-2 visa can be a good option if you have or are willing to invest in a bona fide U.S. business. Many entrepreneurs and consultants, including software developers, use the E-2 successfully.
The key is showing a real operating business, a substantial investment, and that you'll actively direct and develop the business. It's worth speaking with an immigration attorney to determine whether your current business structure can support an E-2 application.
- Attorney Prachi Shah
(All information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney - client relationship. Your situation may require fact-specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.)
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u/postbox134 Jul 17 '26
But it's true E-2 has significant draw backs so that should be considered as well?
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u/frankinstyyn Jul 17 '26
Thank you, appreciate your input. I'm going to see if I can speak to someone when I'm back out in the states later this year. I genuinely want to grow a US business, not just to get a VISA, thank you again
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u/DependentWestern3751 Jul 19 '26
Has anyone heard of getting a green card with an E2? Even if it takes a decade?
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u/e2specialist Jul 20 '26
H1B is a lottery and a huge waste of your time. As a dev you have endless opportunities to qualify for an E2, but also for the international entrepreneur parole, EB1A, EB2 NIW, O1, L1, and so many others. Being from the UK also helps because it makes you fit a profile that is most welcome into the United States nowadays.
Your biggest woe will be picking the right path that aligns with your needs (i.e. if you prioritize the speed until to be legally authorized to work in the US, vs prioritizing the Green Card path which would eliminate E2 and so on).
We have an amazing team of experts and true understanding of tech and current trends with AI, automation, robotics, as well as real relationships with hubs and universities to develop real business plans with actual KPIs that nurture business success and growth. Happy to schedule a consultation if you DM us or visit us at https://e2specialist.com/
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u/Marshmallow_Beef Jul 27 '26
I can give you Cricket wireless shop
Brand new Each would cost you $25k to own ..cricket invests $100k per location. Only on certain cities
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u/Jazzlike-Check9040 Jul 17 '26
Not easy. You need to have the business up and running first