Free E-2 Advice for Startups
Some people say that nothing in life is free.
I say those people are wrong!
Here is some truly free advice for startup founders pursuing an E-2 visa:
Make a 5-year business plan.
Why?
Just like entrepreneurs, lawyers need data in order to make solid predictions. You can’t expect a lawyer to give you the odds of success on your visa case if you don’t provide solid information about your business.
What goes in a business plan?
It’s much more than a pitch deck. An E-2 business plan should:
Describe the source of investment funds. Your business needs some money to startup and grow. Where is the initial capital coming from?
Have a 5-year* financial plan. What is your burn rate? Realistically project your operating expenses and revenue for the next 5 years.
Have a 5-year hiring plan. Map out the resources you will need to hire over the next 5 years.
Example of a 5-year hiring plan.
You should also incorporate key points from your pitch deck, like a description of your product or service and an explanation as why to your business will be successful. For bonus points, include a SWOT analysis!
Why 5 years?
I know 5 years seems like a long time, but remember—success means building a product/service/business that is going to last! Even if your ultimate goal is to get acquired within a year or two, you need to justify your reason for asking the U.S. government for a 5-year visa by having a plan.
What next?
While you probably want to know exactly how much to invest or how many people to hire in order to secure the E-2 visa, the truth is—it depends. Every business has a unique business model, product, or circumstance. This is why I require my E-2 clients to submit a 5-year business plan before consulting with me. Having the data written down will not only be a good planning exercise for you, it will give me the data I need in order to make an informed judgment and provide advice contributing to the success of your case.
Ready?
Schedule your E-2 visa consultation here.
