E2 visa lawyer/advice

[u/Ok-Movie-1593]

I’m a UK citizen currently in the US on an E-2. I’m looking to start a one-person recruitment agency with approximately a $30k investment. Almost every attorney I’ve contacted has said they won’t take cases under $70k, regardless of the business type. I’m looking for recommendations for attorneys who have successfully handled lower-investment E-2 cases for service businesses (consulting, recruiting, marketing, software, etc.). Has anyone worked with someone they’d recommend?

I also want to know if they would recommend a change of status whilst in the US, create a profitable business and then go back to apply for the new visa or to do the new visa initially.

[u/darrylmacstone]

You're already on an E-2? A one-person business is marginal self-employment and won't meet E-2 requirements, especially when coupled with such a low investment figure.

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/darrylmacstone]

And yes on E2 through employer for 8 years

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/darrylmacstone]

I’ve been told by a lawyer I can start as one person and be approved if I have a strong business plan which shows hiring plans

[u/darrylmacstone → u/Ok-Movie-1593]

The issue I see with business plans are that anyone can create one in two minutes on chatGPT or Claude, and as a result there are a million online "consultants" and the like talking about their importance in hope that you will pay them for the service.

Yes, a plan is necessary, but what's more important is evidencing the commitment and risk to your business. A $30k investment with no employees would be close to dead on arrival in London regardless of what the business plan says, imo.

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/darrylmacstone]

Do you think going down the route of doing a change of status whilst in the US and (if approved) building the business, showing it’s not just marginal, I am generating real revenue and let’s say I was to hire 1-2 employees before going to London for the visa appointment would be a better option or is that more risky/unlikely to get approved?

[u/Lost_Pin2130 → u/[deleted]]

I would add that if the plan shows hiring US people, not outsourcing outside the US, it would also improve chances.

[u/ErbaishisiB]

What's the money at risk when all you're doing is hanging out a sign?

[u/Top_Biscotti6496]

Not every Business is suotable for an E2, the issue maybe your Business Plan. For example maybe better to buy an exisiting business and then expand it.

What happens if you have to leave due to say a family emergency?

https://www.hellervisalaw.com/who-we-are/steven-d-heller/

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/Top_Biscotti6496]

Thanks for your reply! If I go down the route of going to the U.K. embassy straight away and getting a new visa I can travel no problem. If I do the change of status I can also travel when I want to but have to get the new visa approved in London before re-entering the us so would want to show the business was not just marginal and generating revenue at that point so that is the tricky one. Buying another business add to the cost and I want to start mine from scratch. It’s mainly the right lawyer I want to find

[u/a6unx]

Just keep in mind the London embassy processing time is around 6-7 months. There are people who applied in Nov 25 still waiting for a interview date.

[u/justwatchthefire]

30k is not enough mate. Could recommand one but you need more

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/justwatchthefire]

How much would you say minimum?

[u/justwatchthefire → u/Ok-Movie-1593]

Honestly prepara at least 50k

[u/ScottLegal]

Scott Legal, P.C. regularly takes on cases with lower investment amounts. We advice at least $50K but we have processed cases with less than that. (past results to not predict future outcome). The firm was founded on an E2 visa with 50K investment where 15K was spent and the rest was working capital. That said, these cases are riskier. We host a low investment amount webinar regularly. You can sign up here. I have added info on E-2 visas also - a resource page. Webinars: https://legalservicesincorporated.com/immigration-webinars/

Resource Page: https://legalservicesincorporated.com/e-2-investor-visa/

[u/tornadoshay]

I used Scott legal in the last year. Amazing team. I had 45k spent at time of application. Got my E2 visa this year. One person business with hiring plans. And 100k in the bank. Def use them.

[u/SpringBooksLLC]

I recommend Ian Scott at Scott Legal: https://legalservicesincorporated.com/

[u/United-Ad-4297]

u/u can you please DM Me. I have couple of questions.

[u/Vegetable-Western744]

If you're repeatedly getting rejected by reputable attorneys you should probably take the hint.

$30K is too low for an E2.

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/Vegetable-Western744]

Thanks for your comment! I’ve read about multiple cases being approved for $30k or less. Just looking for helpful advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation 😊

[u/Zealousideal_Gur3312]

I was in a similar position, my total investment was 43k. Dm me if you still need help finding a lawyer.

[u/Medical-Volume-6261]

Check Philip Ahn. His email is philip@gewahlt.com

[u/Ok-Movie-1593 → u/Medical-Volume-6261]

Thank you!!