A properly developed business plan is one of the most important parts of the E-2 visa application. U.S. officers rely on the business plan to evaluate whether the applicant meets the visa’s investment, ownership, and operational criteria. It frames the application by showing that the business is active, the funds are committed, and the investor is prepared to operate the company in line with E-2 rules.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the investment must be placed at risk, and the business must be more than marginal. The business plan is where these points are explained and documented. It is the primary tool the applicant uses to show how they meet the core legal and operational requirements of the visa.
A complete plan includes:
- A summary of the business with ownership, location, and structure
- Breakdown of startup and operating costs, including proof of spending
- Five-year revenue and expense forecasts tied to documented assumptions
- A hiring schedule that shows when and how jobs will be created
- A clear explanation of the investor’s management responsibilities
The strongest plans show readiness. They explain why the investor is qualified to run the business and how the operation will grow. A good business plan details everything in a clear and organized way, with no gaps or vague sections that might lead U.S. authorities to question the investment, the business model, or the applicant’s role. Officers reviewing the application expect to see how the investment is being used, how the business will function day to day, and how it meets the visa’s job creation and control requirements. The plan should give them enough information to make a decision without requiring further clarification.