Buying a Business: How Foreign Nationals Can Qualify for an E2 Visa

Shiva Karimi is an Immigration lawyer and Managing Director for McLane Middleton's Boston Office. She is experienced in navigating complex U.S. Immigration issues and advises businesses on hiring key personnel and helps foreign investors and buyers navigate the purchasing process of a business on U.S. soil. In this episode, Shiva breaks down what it takes to qualify for an E2 investment visa, what business owners should be aware of when working with a foreign buyer, and how to best handle an international transaction like this.

Key Points

[3:20] What do business owners need to be aware of when working with foreign investors/buyers?

[5:00] What type of businesses qualify under the E2 visa?

[6:00] What's the minimum amount a buyer has to invest under the E2 visa?

[7:20] Shiva breaks down the process of how to qualify for an E2 visa.

[11:00] This is not a visa you can do on your own. It is complex and you will need professional and legal help.

[13:10] Why would a business owner sell to a foreign buyer?

[16:00] What do business owners need to be aware of when hiring a foreign national?

[18:00] What happens if you have illegal immigrants working in your company and you're trying to sell your business?

[20:00] What is an i-99 audit? What should employers be aware of?

[27:50] What is an H1 visa?

[29:30] Shiva also breaks down what an L1 visa is and how to qualify for it.

Tip of the Day:

Complete your I-99 audit and understand who is working within your company and who exactly wants to buy your company.

Mentioned in this Episode

Tworld.com/locations/boston

Riw.com

Transactiontalk.com

Shiva Karimi

LinkedIn

Shiva's bio

Mclane.com

Email: shiva.karimi@mclane.com

Phone: 617-523-7937

Disclaimer:

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Quotes

"You do have to show sources of funds; where did that money come from? And you need a five-year business plan."

"If half of the workforce is not authorized to work in the United States, if buyers want to take on that liability, fine, but oftentimes, they are not willing to proceed with the sale."

"You never want to take on someone else's liability. You don't know what they've done or how they've done it."