Moving to Florida from Canada on an E-2 or L1-A Visa (green card, lottery)

[RJones89]

I'm just about to begin my fourth year at University in Canada for my Bachelor of Commerce degree. My parents own a retail store that I have worked at since I was a kid. I would like to move to Florida (possibly Miami) and open my own store location there. The store would operate under the same name, but would be owned by me. From what I have read, this would disqualify me from obtaining a L1-A Visa.

The E-2 Visa seems like my best bet at this. Once I graduate I would like to work in Canada for a couple of years to save up 150-200k, which should be sufficient to qualify for an E-2. My question lies with fact that this is not an existing business in the US. Part 9 of the DS-156E form asks for financial statements. How hard is it to get an E-2 Visa if you are starting a new business, and can you get the visa before starting the business? I understand you would have to transfer the funds to a US bank account and incorporate first though.

My only concern with the E-2 visa is the ability to get a green card in the future. What way do people usually go to get a green card once they have started a business on a E-2 visa?

Thanks in advance.

[Threestep2]

You will have to go through the traditional biz plan, financial disclosure ... E2 is your visa - you cannot start prior to getting permission to do so. Do not disregard the need to apply for renewal on a regular basis.
No E2 does not lead to GC and offspring will be on its own at 21. If qualified you play Diversity Lottery, get married to a US citizen or go the E5 route.
How is your Spanish?

[RJones89]

Originally Posted by Threestep

You will have to go through the traditional biz plan, financial disclosure ... E2 is your visa - you cannot start prior to getting permission to do so. Do not disregard the need to apply for renewal on a regular basis.
No E2 does not lead to GC and offspring will be on its own at 21. If qualified you play Diversity Lottery, get married to a US citizen or go the E5 route.
How is your Spanish?

Thanks for the reply. Are 5 year E-2's still offered anymore or are they all 2 years from now on?

The EB-5 is interesting, but getting 500k to invest, yet alone hiring 10 employees within 2 years would be really tough. We've been fairly efficient in terms of staffing at our Canada location. 13k Sq Ft of retail / warehouse, 2.5mil+ in annual sales, and we still don't have 10 full time employees. Maybe 13 employees total but that's including part timers.

Canadians aren't eligible for the green card lottery, but if I do move to the states, there is a chance I'll get married to someone from the area, so that could be a possibility.

I don't speak any Spanish.

[Threestep2]

Go through uscis.gov for E2 updates. Some are in the works.
Without Spanish you will run into snaggs in Miami.