Thai Restaurant (E-2 Extension)

Startup restaurant business.
Total expenses: $155,000
Working capital: $20,000
Citizenship: Thailand

Our long-standing client, a Thai restaurant owner, is renowned for their exceptional cuisine and unparalleled customer care in their community. Our client’s dedicated customer base remained unwavering through the COVID-19 pandemic and even after a devastating fire incident caused by a neighboring tenant.

In the aftermath of the fire, our client encountered formidable hurdles in meeting the stringent E-2 visa requisites, particularly in addressing concerns of marginality, maintaining status, and demonstrating substantial contribution. To tackle these challenges head-on, we meticulously presented compelling evidence documenting the fire incident and showcased our client’s earnest and swift actions in resurrecting the restaurant with new investments.

Our approach involved crafting a persuasive narrative that emphasized our client’s extreme circumstances to explain the deficiencies in the E-2 extension application. We also emphasized how our client and restaurant was cherished among their community to showcase that the business has an eager customer base that essentially guaranteed business success.

However, we understood that solely relying on the U.S. immigration officer’s compassion could be risky. It was imperative to establish a legitimate, operational business. We strategized timelines and advised our client to expedite the business’s renovation and commence operations before submitting the E-2 application, showcasing the hiring of American workers and initial revenue generation. While financial figures might not have been substantial at this early stage, this strategic move aimed to provide the visa officer tangible evidence, thereby advocating for our client’s case.

We made further proactive strategies to anticipate a Request for Additional Evidence from U.S. Immigration. However, to our astonishment, instead of a Request for Additional Evidence, our client received their E-2 visa approval in less than a month.

The convergence of unique circumstances and tangible proof of operational business activities showcased our client’s earnest commitment, significantly influencing the U.S. Immigration officer’s decision to immediately grant approval. We are ecstatic as this client embodies the epitome of resilience and deserving success.

For the purpose of protecting our client’s privacy, names of people and business have been omitted. Please note that investment amounts listed are approximate figures.

For ongoing E-2 visa tips, join our FaceBook group @E-2 Visa Success Tips

To protect our clients’ privacy, names of individuals and businesses have been omitted. In some cases, we may also alter or generalize certain details to further safeguard their confidentiality.