Visa Requirements and Renewals
The E-2 treaty investor visa allows Canadian citizens to buy or start a business in the U.S. In order to qualify for an E-2 visa, the business must be active, substantial, at risk, and the investor must oversee and direct the day-to-day operations. The E-2 visa is valid for five years at a time and may be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate.
Establishing a Business in the USA
Buying a business in the USA as a Canadian comes with particular challenges, such as foreign exchange risks and expensive overseas transfer fees. However, there are several advantages to purchasing an existing business in the U.S., including an already established brand, existing clients, and a tried-and-tested supply chain.
Anyone can form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the USA; you do not need to be a US citizen, or a US company.
Work Visas and Green Card Information
In order for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to work in the USA, you must first have a job offer from a USA employer who will sponsor you for a work visa. There are several categories of USA work visas that Canadians are eligible to work under: H-1B Visa Temporary Work.
The U.S. Senate introduced bill S.354, the RAISE Act or Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act, to limit immigration to the U.S. The purpose of the bill is to reduce permitted annual green cards issued in America by one-half.
Frequently Asked Questions About US Business Visas
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How much bank balance is required for US business visa? There’s no set requirement, but it’s tough to get this E-2 visa if you invest anything under $100,000 USD.
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Can I live in the USA if I buy a business? You are not required to live in the US if you run a US business and reside in Canada. However, if you plan to eventually move to the US to operate your company, you will need to apply for a visa.
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Can a Canadian buy US citizenship? There is no direct path to buy US citizenship. Investment visas like the E-2 and EB-5 allow you to live and work in the US but do not provide an automatic path to citizenship.
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Why US business visa gets rejected? Reasons for E-2 visa rejection include insufficient investment funds, no detailed business plan, an intent to stay permanently in the US, and criminal history.
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How long does it take to get US business visa? It takes 3 to 5 weeks for a US E-2 visa application to get processed after submitting all required documents.
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How much does a 10 year US visa cost? There is no 10-year US visa. The E-2 visa allows a 5-year stay and is renewable indefinitely. The visa fee is $160.
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Can a non-US citizen open a business? Yes, anyone can form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the USA without being a US citizen or company.
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Do Canadian citizens need a B1 visa? No, Canadian citizens are usually not issued formal B-1 visas.
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Can I get a 10-year visa for the USA? No, the maximum length of stay for a US visa is 5 years, after which it needs to be renewed.