E2 Visa Buyers Purchase Many Businesses in South Florida

In recent years, many non-U.S. citizens living overseas have gained U.S. citizenship by buying a business in the United States. A very common destination spot for such buyers is South Florida. In addition to the great weather and low taxes, our proximity to Central and South America is a huge draw for the overseas buyer wanting a better life (or fleeing a despotic regime such as Venezuela).

Rules for E2 Visa Purchases Vary with the Buyer’s Country of Origin

What is the criteria for whether the U.S. business qualifies under American immigration law when a business buyer uses an E2 Visa, and how can sellers here in Palm Beach County take advantage of this situation so their business can sell for the best possible price? In short, the rules governing whether a U.S. business qualifies for an overseas buyer’s use of an E2 Visa vary with the buyer’s country of origin.

Factors Immigration Authorities Look At for E2 Visa Purchases

Does the business being purchased have a certain amount of verifiable sales and profits on their tax return.
Does the business being purchased have some minimum amount of employees or independent contractors.
Does the business being purchased have a long-term lease in place (or if real estate is associated with the purchase).

Business Being Purchased Must Have Financials

The first criteria that the business has a minimal level of sales or profits (on the tax return) in order for it to qualify to be purchased by a buyer seeking an E2 Visa should not be surprising. The more transparent the financials of the business being sold, the better chances of a successful sale.

Purpose of E2 Visa Rule for Business Sales

The purpose of the E2 Visa rule is to support economic growth in the United States by attracting immigrants who purchase functioning business that produce revenues and profits. Without a certain degree of sales and profits (on the tax returns), then the immigration authorities may think the business ‘sale’ is really just a scam that enables the immigrant to obtain citizenship. The necessary level of sales or profits vary with the immigrant’s country of origin and with the local rules set up by the American embassy.

Typical Levels of Financials Sufficient for E2 Visa Business Purchase

Typically a $100,000 or so in sales and a measurable amount (say $30,000 or so) of profits is sufficient. For the business owner here in Palm Beach County seeking to sell their business, it amplifies why having reasonably clear and accurate tax returns is essential when it comes time to sell their business.

Subject Business for E2 Visa Purchase Must Have Employees

The second criteria for an overseas buyer seeking an E2 Visa via purchasing a U.S. business is that the subject business has at least one or two paid W2 employees (or independent contractors if there is sufficient documentation). The reason for this rule is to simply ensure that the business being sold is an actual business and not just a ‘job.’

An Example of What Does Not Qualify for E2 Visa Business Sales

For example, a realtor may decide to self-incorporate but has no employees. This is not a ‘business’ for purposes of an E2 Visa because without the seller of the business (the realtor) there is no business! This would essentially allow the same sort of ‘scam’ where the overseas buyer is not purchasing a functioning business that provides jobs that will still function after the sale.

Paying Employees in Cash

Some business owners pay their employees only in cash. Unfortunately, such a business is unlikely to qualify as an E2 Visa business because – in the eyes of the immigration authorities – such a business has no employees. It is critically important that before selling a business, the intelligent business owner puts such ‘cash’ employees on the books so that overseas buyers seeking an E2 Visa can legally purchase the business.

Does Subject Business of E2 Visa Purchase Have Long Term Lease or Own Real Estate?

The final general criteria when determining whether a U.S. business qualifies for an E2 Visa buyer is whether the business has a long-term lease or has real estate attached to the business.

This factor – generally speaking – eliminates most home-based businesses.
Sellers of home-based businesses may indeed have quite valuable businesses, but generally their business would not qualify for the E2 Visa business buyer.
If the business seller does not have a long term lease in place (long term is usually considered to be three years or more), then the E2 Visa business buyer can be allowed to extend the lease with the landlord concurrent with the business sale.
The seller of the business – prior to the sale and in consultation with a professional business broker – may wish to ensure their landlord is amenable to extending the lease for a future buyer of a business.
Usually the landlord will want to extend the lease in order to ensure a stable source of income. This is particularly the case in today’s post-Covid business environment.
If the business seller owns the commercial real estate housing the business, then that will greatly help the business qualify for the E2 Visa business buyer.
This shows the immigration authorities that the business is usually quite stable and has longevity.
Remember, the point of the E2 Visa program is to have the overseas business buyer be a long-term business owner and contribute to a prosperous American economy.

Let Expert Business Broker Guide You Through the Purchase or Sale of E2 Visa Businesses

The E2 Visa business buyer program has had tremendous growth in recent years. It is a critical aspect of the business sale process, and must be considered by both business broker and seller alike. Attracting E2 Visa business buyers (and working with local immigration attorneys) is a key factor in maximizing the sales price of businesses.

Give Martin at Five Star Business Brokers of Palm Beach County a call today for a free evaluation for your business.