help with trying to emigrate (homes, business, move)

[Carronn]

Hi

We are a Family of 6. We really want to move to Orlando. We Have a 16 year old a 13 year old 4 year old and a 19 month old. We think they would have a better life over there. We are from London England. We don't have any idea about moving to Orlando. We asked some people about how we would go about moving there when we were on holiday in Orlando in 2005. They said that we either need lots of money or have to run our own business and employ people to get a visa. How did you go about buying your sandwich shop if you don't mind me asking? I am worried about Schools and work. Can you advise me.
Thanks Carronn

Originally Posted by xgemaxmwahx

Hi,
We moved over to Orlando from Manchester 4years ago.
We bought a Sobiks Subs Sandwich shop that qualified us for our E2 visa. We went through Saun Knapp and Jim Parker (the best people for buying businesses from)
We have lived down in Kissimmee then rented in altamonte springs and then moved up to apopka which we had a home built.
We know alot of people moving over from the Uk here which we have helped.
The best school I recommend is Lake Brantly (in seminole country) that is high school. As for Primary schools then your best bet is looking for grade A schools in orlando.
We have an 11 year old and an 19 year old in our family.
If you have any questions, ask away!
Good luck

[Nick - Sussex ENGLAND]

Originally Posted by xgemaxmwahx

Hi,
We moved over to Orlando from Manchester 4years ago.
We bought a Sobiks Subs Sandwich shop that qualified us for our E2 visa. We went through Saun Knapp and Jim Parker (the best people for buying businesses from)
We have lived down in Kissimmee then rented in altamonte springs and then moved up to apopka which we had a home built.
We know alot of people moving over from the Uk here which we have helped.
The best school I recommend is Lake Brantly (in seminole country) that is high school. As for Primary schools then your best bet is looking for grade A schools in orlando.
We have an 11 year old and an 19 year old in our family.
If you have any questions, ask away!
Good luck

Hi I am looking to do the same i.e. buy a business. Is there any chance of having the address/phone number of Saun and Jim??

[cfIfan]

The law states you must employ Americans in your business. One way to get around this, is by having a lawyer on retainer, or most commonly hiring an accountant (which you need to do anyway).

You will find alot of companies who source commercial are also realtors but specialize in business's. There are a number of online companies where you can search and they are also based in the area. I would highly recommend discussing the requirements with an immigration attorney first before jumping headstrong into buying a business, as alot of companies, dont specialize in buying for immigration reasons. If you need an attorney, i would be happy to send you the details of the lady we used here in Orlando.

[shrek406]

you say you bought a sandwich bar business. How did you find out about the businesses for sale in florida and how did you start the process of making a bid and buying? you mentioned saun knapp and jim parker where the people who helped you out. Do they have a website?
I am looking into moving to florida with my family but this is a long term project given the things I must find out first.
here goes:
I would need to get good medical insurance ( costs please) as I had open heart surgery 5 years ago and need warfarin every day. I also have a pacemaker ( although it is just as a precaution I am not dependant on it)
I am a senior director of a very small printing business but would turn my hand to other things if needed to bring in the money.
I am in a second relationship with my wife to be Julie ( we get married in Sept 09). I have 3 kids from my previous relationship(not married) and julie has 2 girls. My eldest son lives with us but my other 2 still live with there mum. That would pose a problem if we did emigrate.
There are so many things I need to find out it may take a few posts on here to get it all sorted but from what I have read this seems to be a very easy going and informative site.
Will talk again after I give you lot time to post some advise for me( please I need help!!!).
England has lost all identity for me and as life is not a rehersal I want whats best for my family.
Watch this space for more questions . Next time its about costs of living, taxes etc.
All info good or bad will be digested and taken onboard.
Finally the weather does throw it for me and my love of old hot rods, muscle cars etc. Florida would be where I want to be.
Cheers
Ian

[Nick - Sussex ENGLAND]

Originally Posted by cflfan

Well i am from the UK originally and there are a number of avenues you can explore. I would be more than happy to give you the details of the attorney i used who was fantastic. The options available are to start a business here, buy a business here, or marry an American. When starting or buying a business, the govt have now set up certain guidelines on what types of business's would qualify for a visa. Note you also have to employ a certain percentage of Americans. Since 9/11 they have clamped down alot on Visa's etc. I would recommend speaking to the American embassy in London to get some more info. Now interms of living and buying a home, i couldnt offer you any advice without knowing you to be honest. EG. size, beds/baths, location, what your lifestyle is, commuting times etc. Needless to say there are some great deals out there now because the market is in a slump. For example, a house in my neighbourhood, which is out of the way of tourists, but close to Disney (we see the fire place) 4bed 3 bath over 3000 sq ft and has a garage apartment is listed for $325,000. At todays exchange rate that is around 162,500 GBP

Im sorry i couldnt be more specific but i hope this helps

Hi

I am thinking of moving to US as well. If you can message me the attorneys details that would be great.

[tonrob]

Hello to all the Brits posting here:

You need to be Googling about E2 visas - the one you'd be going for if you were coming in through the buying a business route. Read about some of the shortcomings of this visa, including no path to permanent residency and the issues you will face in the future if you currently have children under 21.

There is a lot of free info available online that is well worth reading before you start paying attorneys. Unfortunately for many this will mean that American dreams are dashed - this is a tough country to emigrate to. The rules are fairly black and white and easy to research yourself, and there are no "magic" back-door solutions. You'll also face extravagent healthcare costs as a self employed person with a family in tow, and that's if you're in perfect health to begin with.

Two final nuggets:

britishexpats.com is a gold mine of info, and beware of any company in the UK that advertises itself as a "visa agency" or similar - they cannot improve your chances of getting in and many are simply crooks.

All of that said - good luck!

[spainbrit]

Last post was well said, it is definitely not easy, you have to be determined and if not qualified for one of the job visas, then have enough money to get a decent business proposition put together. If you have a business in the UK, you can try the L1 route, things are getting tougher for immigrants and the economy is making it a more unreliable time to start up a new business venture.

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by spainbrit

Last post was well said, it is definitely not easy, you have to be determined and if not qualified for one of the job visas, then have enough money to get a decent business proposition put together. If you have a business in the UK, you can try the L1 route, things are getting tougher for immigrants and the economy is making it a more unreliable time to start up a new business venture.

Thank you!

I got in via an L1 - basically got a job in he UK with prospects and with a company that has a significant US presence. Worked in their UK office for a couple of years and then got myself transferred. This really is a good way to do it, because:

- company typically covers/helps with relocation costs and attorneys, tax issues etc. (very expensive otherwise)
- there's enough risk in relocating overseas without throwing starting a new business into the mix
- wife automatically gets L2 and can therefore get and EAD and work. This is huge, as simply getting sponsorship from a US company (H1, and as tough as hell to get) means that spouse has H4 and cannot work.
- eligible for Green Cards, which we now have (not available for H1 and E2 holders)

I often wonder how many of those who entertain the idea of starting their own business in FL just to get an E2 would entertain starting a business in the UK? The economy in the US can't be much better (if at all) compared to he UK right now, and you have the added barrier of getting to know the new country, culture, how things are done etc. to boot. How many new start-ups by Americans fail in the first year I wonder?

[spainbrit]

Starting a Business: Top 7 Reasons Why Small Businesses Fail

There are conflicting stories out there on google, some state that up to 75% are still operating after 4 years. I do wonder how many E-2 folks have succcessfully run a business in their own country of residence. There is no reason to suppose it could be any easier here, and the hours are definitely longer and holidays shorter.

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by spainbrit

Starting a Business: Top 7 Reasons Why Small Businesses Fail

There are conflicting stories out there on google, some state that up to 75% are still operating after 4 years. I do wonder how many E-2 folks have succcessfully run a business in their own country of residence. There is no reason to suppose it could be any easier here, and the hours are definitely longer and holidays shorter.

Yes - would be intesresting tio find out. Not everyone is cut out to run their own business, however motivated they might feel to move the the U.S.

I posted a couple of links for visa info (including E2s) in the sticky, but here they are again. No substitute for an immigration lawyer eventually but at least it will help people to initially assess their chances before splashing out for legal advice:

Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

E-2 visa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia