Canadians buying and operating a US business?

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by a searcher from University of British Columbia
in Ottawa, ON, Canada

3yrs ago

Canadians buying and operating a US business?

I've been searching in Ontario for the better part of a year with little luck. I am thinking of expanding my search to the eastern US.

Have any Canadian Search Funders bought a US business? What visa did you get? What was the processing time like?

Thanks!

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reply by a searcher 2yrs ago
from University of Pennsylvania in Oakville, ON, Canada

If you can solve for financing (let's say via seller financing or raising equity capital or using a non-bank financing options), acquiring a US business for a Canadian is fairly simple. The visa category will depend on the size and nature of business you are acquiring and also your nationality at the time of application. If you are a Canadian citizen, the lowest bar would be an E-2 visa that will allow you to own and run a business in the States while living there with your immediate family including dependent kids (up to a certain age). Trust this helps.

reply by an investor 1yr ago
from Colby College in Miami Beach, FL, USA

I interviewed a Canadian who bought a business and obtained the E2 visa. He did not go the SBA route (not eligible) and worked with a Canadian lender I believe. redacted