Can I Buy a Franchise to Apply for an E-2 Visa?

Yes!  Buying an existing franchise or starting a new location of a franchise are common among E2 visa applicants.  Please keep in mind that the franchise has to approve a non-citizen as a franchisee, so you should reach out to the franchise before starting the E2 visa process.

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Trimmed Transcript.⬇️

In this video, Angie Rupert, founder of Rupert Law, explains what you need to know before buying a franchise for the E-2 Visa. Although many investors use franchises to qualify, a franchise is not automatically more approvable than a startup or independent business—you must still meet all E-2 Visa requirements.

First, confirm that the franchise allows E-2 Visa applicants. Some franchisors do not accept foreign investors using E-2 status, so your first step is to ask the franchisor directly. If they decline, you must choose a different franchise before moving forward.

Next, ensure the franchise can help you meet the core requirement that your business is real and operational at the time of application. This means the business must exist, have U.S. employees, and—depending on the model—may need to be servicing clients before you receive the visa. You cannot work before approval, but your employees can.

If the franchise is location-based, you must complete all franchise build-out requirements, including layout, branding, required equipment, and interior specifications. This can add time and cost to the project. For service-based, mobile, or home-service franchises, location requirements may be minimal, but you still need U.S. staff and customers lined up for launch.

In addition, confirm that you can obtain all licenses and permits before your visa interview. Some franchises require industry-specific permits, city business licenses, or state certifications—all of which fall under the E-2 requirement of proving the business is “real and operational.”

For a strong E-2 franchise application, you should show:
✅A franchisor that accepts E-2 investors
✅A completed or near-complete location setup (if applicable)
✅Required licenses and permits
✅U.S. employees hired
✅Customers or contracts ready for fulfillment

If you’ve identified a franchise you love and they support E-2 applicants, Rupert Law can guide you through the next steps of the E-2 Visa process.

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Video Chapters:

00:09 - Introduction & Welcome
00:35 - Can You Use a Franchise for an E2 Visa?
01:13 - First Step: Does the Franchise Accept E2 Visa Applicants?
01:50 - The "Real and Operational" Requirement Explained
02:17 - Will Your Business Be Operational Before Visa Approval?
03:13 - Space Requirements for Different Types of Franchises
04:19 - Licensing & Permits: What You Need to Know

*Nothing in this video or description should be considered a guarantee of any result. Nothing in this video or description should be considered legal advice. Nothing in this video or description constitutes or creates any sort of agreement or legal relationship between this law firm and any viewer or reader. You are only a client if a legal agreement is sent and signed and all terms of the agreement have been met.**