House and apartment hunting, orientation and coordination with our network of realtors
Vehicle search and purchase support
Welcome to USA: DMV, driver’s licence, Social Security Number, health insurance, everyday contracts and personal support for up to approx. 90 days
SeparateLegal part by the immigration attorney · International moving and transport on request · Bookkeeping & payroll if needed · Third-party and government costs
The E-2 visa (Treaty Investor) allows nationals of certain treaty countries to run their own business in the USA in which they have invested. We analyse your situation, prepare the business part of your application and practise the consular interview with you. The legal part is handled by our cooperating immigration attorney under a separate engagement.
Services in detail
Thorough initial consultation and analysis of your situation
Preparation of the business part of the E-2 application: concept, business plan and investment documentation
Practical preparation for the consular interview
Coordination between you, the immigration attorney and everyone involved
How it works
Consultation & analysisWe clarify your situation, your goals and whether the E-2 visa is a realistic option.
Legal assessmentThe immigration attorney reviews the E-2 requirements and sets the strategy.
Business partWe develop the concept, business plan and investment documentation.
ApplicationThe attorney prepares the visa forms and handles the E-2 process.
InterviewWe prepare you practically for the consular interview; the attorney covers the legal side.
Legal part – by our cooperating immigration attorney (separate)
Legal assessment of the E-2 requirements and immigration strategy
Legal review of the documents and the case
Preparation of the required visa forms and the E-2 application
Good to knowThe legal services are provided by our cooperating immigration attorney under a separate engagement and are billed separately and directly. Visa decisions are made exclusively by the competent US authorities. Entering with ESTA permits neither permanent residence nor work in the USA.
Who is the E-2 visa for?
For nationals of a treaty country – including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Portugal – who invest in their own US business and want to run it actively. Whether the requirements are met in an individual case is assessed by the immigration attorney.
Is legal advice included in the packages?
No. The legal part is provided and billed separately by our cooperating immigration attorney. We coordinate the collaboration.
How long does the process take?
That depends on your circumstances and on appointment availability at the consulate. We discuss a realistic timeline after the analysis.
The E-2 visa requires a real, actively operated business in the USA. We form the LLC with you, take care of the tax ID (EIN) and prepare the opening of your US business account. We then support the organisational set-up until your business is up and running.
Services in detail
Company formation as an LLC including EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Preparation of and support with opening the US business bank account
Organisational business set-up and implementation
Alignment with the business plan and E-2 strategy
Ongoing bookkeeping and payroll on request via our partner Global Ingress (separate)
Referral to specialists for further legal and tax questions
How it works
ConceptWe clarify the business idea, location and the right framework for your company.
FormationThe LLC is formed and the EIN applied for.
Business accountWe prepare the account opening and support you through it.
Set-upOrganisation, processes and first steps in day-to-day operations.
Ongoing operationsBookkeeping and payroll via our partner if needed.
Good to knowState filing fees and the cost of a registered agent are third-party costs and are not included in our services. We do not provide legal or tax advice; we refer you to specialists for that.
Why an LLC?
In the USA the LLC is a flexible and widely used legal form for small and medium-sized businesses. Whether it suits your case is something we clarify in the initial consultation and with specialists.
Do I already have to live in the USA to form a company?
Not necessarily – a company can generally also be formed from abroad. Your place of residence does matter for the visa, taxes and operations, though; we clarify this in the initial consultation.
Is the formation linked to the visa?
Yes. For the E-2 visa, the business, the investment and the business plan are a central part of the application. That is why we align everything from the start.
For the E-2 visa your venture has to be convincing: a viable concept, a credible business plan and a properly documented investment are the heart of the business part. We develop the business idea with you, prepare the E-2 business plan including financial planning and put together the investment planning and documentation.
Services in detail
Development of the business idea and the E-2 concept
Basic business planning: offering, target group, location
E-2 business plan including financial planning
Investment planning: amount and use of funds
Documentation of the investment for the application
Alignment with the legal part handled by your immigration attorney
How it works
IdeaWe sharpen your business idea and the E-2 concept.
PlanningMarket, location, organisation and investment are planned.
Business planWe prepare the E-2 business plan with financial planning.
DocumentationThe investment is documented in a traceable way.
Hand-overThe plan and documents feed into the attorney’s application in a coordinated way.
Good to knowA business plan for the E-2 visa follows different rules from one for a bank: what counts are credible figures, a real, actively operated business and an investment that is substantial in proportion.
Can I come with just a rough idea?
Yes. Together we turn an initial idea into a viable E-2 concept.
How large does the investment have to be?
There is no fixed minimum amount for the E-2 visa; the investment must be substantial in relation to the business. What that means in your case we clarify together with the immigration attorney.
How detailed does the plan need to be?
Detailed enough for the authority to understand your venture. We tailor scope and depth to your individual case.
A move to the USA combines logistics, customs and scheduling. We plan your relocation from the start: what comes with you, when is it shipped, what will you buy new on arrival? We organise the international move as well as transport and vehicle shipping through our proven network.
Services in detail
Relocation and move planning with a timeline
Inventory: what comes along, what stays behind?
International move, e.g. by sea freight, via our network
Vehicle shipping including a check of US import regulations
Pets: entry requirements and certificates
Special transports, e.g. horses or boats
How it works
PlanningWe define the scope, timeline and process of your relocation.
QuotesYou receive suitable quotes from our network.
Packing & loadingYour household goods are packed, inventoried and loaded.
Shipping & customsTransport and import formalities are coordinated.
ArrivalDelivery to your new address in the USA.
Good to knowNot everything is worth shipping: the USA has different sockets and mains voltage, furniture and appliances follow different standards, and vehicles must comply with US regulations. We work out with you what to take and what is cheaper to buy new locally. The actual costs of moving, transport and vehicle shipping are not included in our services; you receive individual quotes for these.
Can I take my car with me?
In principle yes, but it must meet US safety and emissions rules. We check your individual case – often buying locally is easier.
How long does an overseas move take?
Including preparation, shipping and customs, you should allow several weeks. We set the timeline individually with you.
What about pets?
Dogs, cats and other animals are subject to entry requirements with certificates and deadlines. We let you know in good time which steps are coming up.
Home searchBuying a carWelcome to USASupport for approx. 90 days
The visa has arrived – now what? Without a US credit history, a Social Security Number and local knowledge, even finding a home becomes a hurdle. We have walked this path ourselves and support you: with house and apartment hunting through our network of realtors, with buying a car and, with the Welcome to USA package, through the first weeks after arrival.
Services in detail
House and apartment hunting, local orientation and coordination with our network of realtors
Vehicle search and purchase support
Welcome to USA: DMV support and driver’s licence – preparation and accompaniment
Social Security Number (SSN) – preparation and accompaniment
Orientation and referral for health insurance
Help with mobile phone, internet, electricity, water and basic services
Personal support after arrival, during the first weeks for up to approx. 90 days
How it works
PreparationPreferred region, budget and timeline – before you leave.
HomeViewings and coordination with our network of realtors.
PaperworkSSN, DMV and driver’s licence – prepared and accompanied.
Car & insuranceBuying a car and orientation on health insurance.
Settling inPersonal support during the first weeks, for up to approx. 90 days.
Good to knowLandlords in the USA often ask for a credit history and proof of income. Newcomers have neither yet. With good preparation – such as documents from your home country, a higher deposit or a guarantor – this can be solved. Government, DMV, registration and insurance fees, rental deposits and vehicle costs are not included in our services.
Do I need a Social Security Number?
It is important for work, taxes and many contracts. Whether and when you receive one depends on your visa status.
Do I need health insurance?
Absolutely – the USA has no general statutory health insurance like many European countries. We give you orientation and refer you to suitable options for your status and place of residence.
How long will you support me after arrival?
With the Welcome to USA package we are personally there for you during the first weeks after arrival, usually for up to about 90 days.
After formation, day-to-day business begins: receipts, accounts and wages must be recorded continuously and to US standards. These tasks are handled by our cooperation partner Norwin Voegeli and his company Global Ingress in Florida. You conveniently book the service through us; the quote and invoicing come separately and directly from the partner.
Services in detail
Ongoing bookkeeping for your US company
Payroll for your employees in the USA
Aligned with the legal form chosen at formation
One contact person with whom we work closely
If needed, referral to an external CPA (Certified Public Accountant) for tax questions
How it works
Assess needsIn the initial consultation or during formation we discuss which services you need.
Contact with the partnerWe make the introduction and pass on the necessary information.
Individual quoteYou receive a quote directly from the partner – prices on request.
Ongoing supportBookkeeping and payroll run regularly, and we stay in touch.
Good to knowBookkeeping and payroll are not included in our package prices and are only offered separately if needed. Our partner is not a CPA and not a tax adviser. For tax advice or CPA services an external CPA can be brought in via his network – also separately and on request.
NV
Partner for bookkeeping & payroll
Norwin Voegeli · Global Ingress
Swiss businessman Norwin Voegeli runs Global Ingress in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, a company that has been helping European businesses get started in the USA for many years – from business set-up and administration to logistics and marketing. For clients of auswandernusa.info he handles ongoing bookkeeping and payroll.
Please note: we do not provide legal or tax advice. The legal part of the E-2 process is handled by our cooperating licensed immigration attorney under a separate engagement; tax questions are handled by external specialists. Visa decisions are made exclusively by the competent US authorities.
