E-2 Visa Franchise Opportunities for Investors in the USA

Index

• What is US Investor Visa
• Why the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Works for Many Investors
• Why Many E-2 Investors Choose Franchises
• Top 7 Best Business Industries for E2 Investors
• How to Choose the Right Franchise for an E-2 Visa
• Common Mistakes E-2 Franchise Investors Often Make

If you are an investor considering starting a business and living in the US, the franchise investor visa, officially known as the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, may be the best move for you. This visa is designed for individuals from treaty countries (see the list of countries) who wish to invest in a business in the US and live in the country.

Unlike the EB-5, the E-2 visa offers entrepreneurs a faster and more flexible option with a lower investment amount.

Franchises are highly compatible with the E-2 visa. They have a proven business model, brand recognition, and support systems that can help new business owners get started quickly. Whether it's a restaurant, coffee shop chain, pet care service, tutoring center, cleaning service company, or consulting firm, franchising can be a smart way to meet visa requirements and establish a profitable business.

What is US Investor Visa

The US investor visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in the US by investing in American businesses or conducting trade with the US. The main options are: the EB-5 visa (a path to a green card with an investment of between $800,000 and $1.05 million and the creation of jobs) and the E-1 and E-2 visas (temporary visas for citizens of treaty countries who trade or invest in businesses in the US).

They can be a good option for running a business or conducting commercial activities in the U.S., but they do not automatically grant green card status like EB-5. The good news is that they can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate successfully.

Why the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Works for Many Investors

The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa offers investors from treaty countries a strategic opportunity to run and grow a new business venture in the United States.

For entrepreneurs seeking a faster and more flexible alternative to the EB-5 program, the E-2 visa may be a smart option that does not require a minimum investment of $800,000. 
 

1. Lower Investment Requirement Compared to EB-5

One of the key advantages of the E-2 visa is that it has a much lower capital threshold compared to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa. While EB-5 applicants must invest at least $1,000,000 (or $800,000 in a targeted employment area), there is no set minimum amount for the E-2. Instead, an investment that is “substantial” for the business is required.

As many successful E-2 applicants have done, you can make a small to medium-sized E-2 investment, purchase a franchise, or establish your own U.S. business with an investment ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the business and operational needs.

2. Faster Processing Times for E-2 Franchise Visas Through U.S. Consulates

E-2 visa applications submitted directly to a US consulate can be processed within weeks (or a couple of months not longer than that). This allows the investor to enter the market in a very short time. 

3. E-2 Visa Benefits for Family Members

The E-2 visa also offers strong benefits for the investor’s family. An E-2 spouse can obtain work authorization, allowing them to work in any job and even start their own business. Unmarried children under 21 can move to the United States with the investor and continue their education, including at the university level.

4. Start a Business or Purchase an Existing Business (Flexible Options) 

The E-2 visa offers flexibility for investors. Anyone who meets the E-2 requirements can start a new venture or purchase an existing business. The key point is that the investment cannot be considered “marginal.”

A “marginal” business is one that is too small to support anyone beyond the investor and their family. In other words, the business should be structured to generate more than just minimal income and to contribute to the U.S. economy. For example, it should have the capacity to create jobs for U.S. workers.

Why Many E-2 Investors Choose Franchises

The most important thing in an E-2 application is being able to show a truly functioning business, and franchises, by their very nature, make this easier to show:

Proven business model

With a franchise, you don't have to build a system from scratch. You have a brand behind your investment and an operational plan. Prices and the market you're entering are clear. This makes your business plan more convincing for the U.S. consulate. 

Training and support opportunities

The franchisor provides training and support to the investor. E-2 investments are not passive. You need to actively run and manage the business. The training you receive after purchasing the franchise, along with the ongoing support you receive as long as the business is active, allows you to demonstrate that you will properly fulfill the role of business owner.

It is easier to demonstrate a real, “non-marginal” business with a franchise

With a franchise, the business structure and financial expectations are easier to explain in your visa application file. This makes the E-2 investor visa one of the best options for foreign investors who want to acquire a franchise. You don’t need to prove that your business is not marginal, because growth and economic contribution are already expected in a franchise model.

Top 7 Best Business Industries for E2 Investors

Although the E-2 visa offers flexibility in terms of sector selection, certain sectors stand out due to consistent demand, scalable operations, and the simplicity of explaining a detailed business plan. When combined with the franchise model, these sectors can present a stronger and more convincing case for E-2 applications.

Food & Beverage

Restaurant, café, and fast-food franchises usually have steady demand across the U.S. Since the menu, pricing, and day-to-day operations are already mapped out, it’s easier to put real numbers in your plan and show how the business can make money.

Home Services

Services such as cleaning, maintenance, painting, and pest control are sustainable businesses in both the residential and commercial markets. These types of franchises typically operate with lower staffing risks and are suitable for easily growing teams.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning franchises have a stable customer base, especially in city centers and densely populated areas. They are frequently preferred in E-2 business plans due to their clear operational structure and predictable revenue model.

Fitness and Wellness

Gyms, fitness centers, and wellness center franchises can generate recurring revenue through membership and package systems. Choosing the right location and conducting competitive analysis play a critical role in this sector.

Education and Tutoring

Tutoring centers, test preparation, and children's education franchises can be a strong option due to year-round demand. A systematic operation and easily explainable services support the E-2 application.

Pet services

Pet grooming, care, and other pet services are among the rapidly growing sectors in the US. The potential for repeat customers and the service-based structure make this area attractive to E-2 investors.

Senior care / Home care

Senior care and home care services offer long-term demand in the US due to the aging population. These types of franchises can be strong in E-2 applications in terms of job creation potential and growth plans.

How to Choose the Right Franchise for an E-2 Visa

Choosing the right franchise goes beyond picking a “good business.” For an E-2 case, you’re building something that needs to make sense on paper and in real life: a real investment that’s already committed, and a business that will be actively operating.

For many investors, E-2 investments stop being “just a business plan” and start becoming their future in the U.S., along with their family’s future. That’s why getting clear on a few key points before choosing a franchise can save you time, money, and headaches later.

1) Don't get hung up on the franchise fee; look at the big picture

The franchise fee is just the beginning. Items such as equipment, renovations, deposits, initial inventory, licenses, insurance, personnel expenses, and working capital make up the real picture. It's not enough to say “I made an investment” in your E-2 application; you need to show that this investment is planned in a way that will actually get the business off the ground.

2) Your role in the business must be clear

The E-2 visa does not allow passive investment. The “I’ll fund it and someone else will run it” approach usually doesn’t work for E-2. Some franchises expect the owner to be involved day to day, while others allow more flexibility. Either way, your application should clearly show that you are the one running and directing the business.

3) Pick the right location, and show a realistic growth plan

You should be able to explain not only where you’ll open the business, but why that location makes sense: your target customers, local competition, foot traffic, and local demand. A clear growth plan also helps. If the model can expand over time, for example by opening a second location or hiring a larger team, it supports the idea that the business is built to grow beyond just covering basic living expenses.

Common Mistakes E-2 Franchise Investors Often Make

Thinking a big brand means automatic approval

One of the most common assumptions is that choosing a well-known franchise makes a case "safe." Many investors share stories where the brand was strong, the money was real, and the case still failed. A franchise alone is not enough.

Underestimating the importance of the file itself

A recurring theme is “the business was solid, but the application wasn’t.” Investors often realize too late that how the case is presented matters just as much as what they invested in.

Weak or unclear “funds at risk” structure

The money has to be clearly committed, already spent or locked in, and exposed to real risk. If that part feels vague, it raises red flags fast.

Treating the marginal business issue lightly

Many investors are surprised by how closely this is examined. A business that only covers basic living expenses often doesn’t feel strong enough for E-2. Growth and economic impact need to be clearly built into the plan.

Assuming there’s a “magic number” for investment

You’ll often see questions like “Is $100K enough?” followed by long discussions. The common conclusion is always the same: there’s no single number. The investment is judged in context with the business model, location, and overall structure.

E-2 Visa Immigration Lawyer for Franchise Investors in the USA

Small mistakes in an E-2 file can lead to serious problems. When the franchise choice, investment setup, and business plan don’t match, even a strong case can lose credibility.

Many investors work with an experienced E-2 visa lawyer early on to avoid that risk. A lawyer who regularly handles E-2 cases can review the franchise and the full application to make sure it meets E-2 requirements before issues turn into delays or denials.

If you want to learn more about investor visa options, you can contact us at +1-862-799-2200 for a free initial consultation or email info@gozellaw.com.