Current situation, help please

[jay]

Original E2 application went in June 2005 We were requested further info which we supplied although request was very very vague as to what they actually wanted. Eventually after another 30 weeks we got the dreaded letter saying does not qualify but we can have interview to plead case etc etc. We arranged interview and all seemed to be going ok apart from the point of being able to support ouselves and show the biz would provide more than a wage.
We bought the biz before approval back in April 2005. We took documentation to show that we had increased the turnover of biz by 410% since purchase and our net figure would be around $87000. We took a file full of further info, new updated biz plan, bank statements, computer printouts, copies of new contracts etc etc but to no avail,
The guy interviewing us was also giving us a hard time about the amount of time we had spent in the US and was saying that to qualify for E2 one had to be resident in the UK or qualifying country and the fact that we had spent most of this year in the US was a problem. We argued that we had never outstayed our VWP and that the reason we had done so was that our application with them had taken so long to process and that when we first applied applications were taking around 12 weeks. Our staff in the US were getting very uneasy about the situation and the added pressure on them was starting to sour relationships etc. He said he would look at the case further and contact us by phone. This he did but the final answer was a refusal.
I asked if this would affect any future applications for a different visa, an L or a B visa. He said we would be highly unlikely to be given a B visa but the L visa option would still be open to us.

Is there anyone on the forum who has given up on the E or been refused on an E and then gone on to apply for an L?

[punky]

I don't know what its like going from an E-refusal to an L visa, but I know a bit about the L visa. Its normally a bit easier to get than an E visa, providing you meet the general criteria. You can also show dual-intent which is nice.

As an L visa is an intra-company transer, you do have a UK company in being, don't you? Also, you might need to transfer ownership of the US company from yourself to your UK company, but I am really not sure about that.

[anniefromessex]

My son was denied an E but is going to apply for an L next year. Susie would probably be able to explain more about this, but you certainly have to have a Company running in England with 5/6 employees.

We came here on an L Visa approximately 3 years ago and the rules since then have definitely changed because at the time we didn't need to show that many employees! My son, when he was turned down for the E was advised to go for the B Visa and then get change of status, but please don't go down that route, at this moment in time it leads to disaster, or it did as far as he was concerned and I think they are tightening up this loophole.

Wishing you all the luck in the world; please keep us posted.

Annie

[jay]

Thanks for replies.
Yes I do have a UK company.
Reading up a bit on requirements I have read that the US company must be structured with regard to percentage ownership as UK company. I am a sole trader in the UK but I own a 50/50 partnership with my son in the US enterprise which is an LLC. My son no longer has any interest in coming to the US. Does anyone know if I can be the sole owner of an LLC or does there have to be more than one owner?

[Emmalee25]

You can be sole owner of an LLC, I am a sole owner, so i definiately know that one :)
Em x

[Susie]

Original E2 application went in June 2005 We were requested further info which we supplied although request was very very vague as to what they actually wanted. Eventually after another 30 weeks we got the dreaded letter saying does not qualify but we can have interview to plead case etc etc. We arranged interview and all seemed to be going ok apart from the point of being able to support ouselves and show the biz would provide more than a wage.
We bought the biz before approval back in April 2005. We took documentation to show that we had increased the turnover of biz by 410% since purchase and our net figure would be around $87000. We took a file full of further info, new updated biz plan, bank statements, computer printouts, copies of new contracts etc etc but to no avail,
The guy interviewing us was also giving us a hard time about the amount of time we had spent in the US and was saying that to qualify for E2 one had to be resident in the UK or qualifying country and the fact that we had spent most of this year in the US was a problem. We argued that we had never outstayed our VWP and that the reason we had done so was that our application with them had taken so long to process and that when we first applied applications were taking around 12 weeks. Our staff in the US were getting very uneasy about the situation and the added pressure on them was starting to sour relationships etc. He said he would look at the case further and contact us by phone. This he did but the final answer was a refusal.
I asked if this would affect any future applications for a different visa, an L or a B visa. He said we would be highly unlikely to be given a B visa but the L visa option would still be open to us.

Is there anyone on the forum who has given up on the E or been refused on an E and then gone on to apply for an L?


Oh Jay,

I am so sorry, How the hell can you cope? I take it you are still trying to run the uS biz from the UK? If so this must be taking its toll on your state of health.

The American embassy say you have to commit funds and when you do they deny you a visa.

This situation sucks

The commitee will need hardship cases to present with legislation to senators. We will be asking for apllicants stories to attach to amendments to legislation and yours may be a good case to put forward if you agree

[Susie]

Thanks for replies.
Yes I do have a UK company.
Reading up a bit on requirements I have read that the US company must be structured with regard to percentage ownership as UK company. I am a sole trader in the UK but I own a 50/50 partnership with my son in the US enterprise which is an LLC. My son no longer has any interest in coming to the US. Does anyone know if I can be the sole owner of an LLC or does there have to be more than one owner?


Hi

I would recommend you make your UK company Ltd., and alter share ratio to 50-50 same set up as USA

If your UK company employes 5-6 people then you can apply for L visa for USA company

[InnVic]

Oh Jay,


The American embassy say you have to commit funds and when you do they deny you a visa.



Actually the embassy only state that your funds are 'at risk" - most bonefide legal representatives would advise only to comit to buy with a contractual clause "subject to visa" If not then you actually are at a much greater risk. Although this is a tragic situation it would hopefully serve as a lesson on the possible risks to anyone considering buying before visa has been granted.

[Susie]

Hi InnVic

Sorry , that is what I mean't to say.

[Bobby]

but you certainly have to have a Company running in England with 5/6 employees.


Annie



Qualification for an Executive Manager/Intra Company transfer is not specific to just "England" as Annie has said. :D
There are many other countries that people may wish to emigrate from.






....sorry .....been watching Braveheart over the last few days. :angel:

Bobby

[Bobby]

Jay,

I don't understand why you did not choose the L-1 route in the first place. From the evidence you have already given here, it would seem to be a "cleaner" path with less monetary risk for you.

In my opinion, you wont even get a sniff at a B-1. You've already shown intent to run a business full time and they have 18 months worth of evidence to show the same, so I wouldn't even waste the time, paperwork and heartache.

If you choose to take the L-1 path and you are brave enough, (clever enough, crazy enough ...whichever you prefer!) to submit the petition on your own, then PM me and I can show you how I did it.

Good luck, whatever path you choose, but it's become more evident recently of the vast amounts of people who are putting the cart before the horse.
Innvic is right, and I think it's very risky to even contemplate this route. Hell, ...they tell you not to even buy a couple of grands worth of plane tickets until you have a visa approved and in your hand, and people are still out there investing $100's thousands. Mad , I say, mad!!

Bobby

[Ron]

Jay

Florida Peter posted this on another thread


Here it is in black and white on the US Embassy website:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new...niv/enew2.html

"It is necessary to establish the company's entitlement to E visa status prior to the issuance of an E visa to an investor or employee, even if the USCIS has authorized a Change of Status to E-2 for a person in the United States.

That status is valid only as long as the person remains in the United States.

To obtain an E visa, a complete application, with all required doucmentation, must be submitted to the Embassy for adjudication before a visa can be issued."

That's why the US Embassy London get so p...d off with so many trying to do a....se first ! You can't cry 'unfair, unfair' if you intentionally do it this way - and then get trapped !
__________________
Floridapete




It is so confusing. But it looks as though you can apply whilst in the USA and stay but this is not a visa and if you apply and stay in the USA you cannot work in the business

[anniemm]

Hi Jay
I can’t offer you any advice, as I have no exprience of such matters, but I’m real sorry to hear of you troubles, and I hope things work out for you.


Hi Bobby
Whist I would never invest in a Biz unless I had my Visa approved, I think from what I’ve read on here, a lot of people have been mislead about the way to do it.
I’m assuming, perhaps wrongly, that you have to have a “substantial “ amount in Escrow before you can apply for an E2 Visa, but I’ve read that a lot of folk have to sell up in order to finance their business venture, so how do these folks manage when they can wait for up12- 18 months or more, before approval or worse denied. Then what…
What do they do once they have sold up and are waiting for approval, do they rent? Do they work? How much must it cost while you are playing the waiting game.

The more I read, the more disheartened I get
I truly want to go over and give it a go, but not sure if I could, or even want, to handle the pressure of waiting.

At least thing seemed to have worked out for you, which is something..

cheers

[peter gold]

I think I should alert the forum to a problem which has just arisen in Sarasota.
Many of the larger and respected busniness brokers have now experienced E2 visa delays of up to a year and then visa refusals,thereby aborting the agreedesale. As a result they are no longer selling any businesses to E2 visa applicants who insert a ..."subject to E2 visa condition " in the contract.
This is understandable given the current delays. What can an earnest would be buyer do other than make as sure as possible the business qualifies for a visa.
If it does not then you can still own it and put in a manager, or sell it on......what a mess and gamble!!!
I have spent six happy years helping people relocate and this is making me think I want to quit.

[Susie]

I think I should alert the forum to a problem which has just arisen in Sarasota.
Many of the larger and respected busniness brokers have now experienced E2 visa delays of up to a year and then visa refusals,thereby aborting the agreedesale. As a result they are no longer selling any businesses to E2 visa applicants who insert a ..."subject to E2 visa condition " in the contract.
This is understandable given the current delays. What can an earnest would be buyer do other than make as sure as possible the business qualifies for a visa.
If it does not then you can still own it and put in a manager, or sell it on......what a mess and gamble!!!
I have spent six happy years helping people relocate and this is making me think I want to quit.


Hi

The main problem lies with the American Cosnulate in London. Caulfied does not nor will not accept that the delays or problems are down to his staff. In fact he passe's the buck to the applicant for badly composed case's.

Florida Peter has written so many articles in Emigrate USA on the subject and appears the American Embassy, has decided to employ more staff, so indirectly admits they have a staffing problem. The Embassy has also said on their web site to achieve an 8 week processing time by Christmas, Do not hold your breath but lets give them the benefit of the doubt till the New.

Expats voice will be wrting to the Embassy in the New year if no improvments are seen to being carried out

[Emmalee25]

I think I should alert the forum to a problem which has just arisen in Sarasota.
Many of the larger and respected busniness brokers have now experienced E2 visa delays of up to a year and then visa refusals,thereby aborting the agreedesale. As a result they are no longer selling any businesses to E2 visa applicants who insert a ..."subject to E2 visa condition " in the contract.
This is understandable given the current delays. What can an earnest would be buyer do other than make as sure as possible the business qualifies for a visa.
If it does not then you can still own it and put in a manager, or sell it on......what a mess and gamble!!!
I have spent six happy years helping people relocate and this is making me think I want to quit.

Just wanted to agree with your post Peter!
We found a business, it was a steal as the owner had dropped the price significantly for a quick sale, she could not wait for the "If Visa is issued" clause to kick in so we closed on the sale, i was lucky enough to have a safety net, in that my parents live here and my mum can (and seemingly will) take over the LLC and the running of said Business for me!
after speaking to many US business owners, they all agree that they couldnt/wouldnt be able to or want to wait for maybe, up to a year for a sale to complete!!! its a catch 22 situation now, its also giving the E2 buyer a bad name!
London need to accept the problems and deal with them imo
Em x

[Bobby]

Emma,

Seems to me that in the bigger picture, the US Embassy in London is no longer interested in Mom & Pop emigrating to the US with their $100k. The E-2 is getting more difficult.

The tougher they make any such transition, the more people will fail at the first hurdle and just give up and go away. Try somewhere else.

It's so clear that we are no longer welcome.

However the strong and the determined will prevail. Is that not what's it's all about? If it were that easy to have a life here, then every fool in the world would be knocking on the door.

Knock Knock!!! ;)

Bobby

[Emmalee25]

Emma,

Seems to me that in the bigger picture, the US Embassy in London is no longer interested in Mom & Pop emigrating to the US with their $100k. The E-2 is getting more difficult.

The tougher they make any such transition, the more people will fail at the first hurdle and just give up and go away. Try somewhere else.

It's so clear that we are no longer welcome.

However the strong and the determined will prevail. Is that not what's it's all about? If it were that easy to have a life here, then every fool in the world would be knocking on the door.

Knock Knock!!! ;)

Bobby

Completely agree with you too Bobby :)
My goodness im in a good mood today!!! LOL :D
Em x

[peter gold]

The immigration atty to whom I refer all my clients has for some time been advising that E2 apps not subject to E2 visa approval stand more chance of success as it demonstrates committment by the applicants.
Problem is do people gamble with their life savings?. It just needs one to go wrong for me and I think I woudl be so devastated for my clients, I would give up this work.
As one client recently said to me .....if you are committed then you will gamble and the worst that could happen is you sell it on again and take the hit, or get a manager to run it for you, and hope for a profit".

[punky]

Does anyone know if I can be the sole owner of an LLC or does there have to be more than one owner?

As Emma said, you can. LLC stands for Limited Liability Company, solely means limiting liability for your company and so doesn't stipulate how many directors you need. However, not to be confused with an LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) where you need 2 or more shareholders.

[Kriz1]

Trust is a big thing when you put in a manager....

[peter gold]

I am not advocating to do this and certainly never on a B1 and convert to an E2 as this a recipe for disaster.
What I am saying is whilst there are delays of up to six months to get an E2 visa the sellers are just not going to contract with you.I only act for buyers and am finding it difficult, near impossible to get business brokers to show their businesses to my E2 clients. What are they to do?
My clients are aware of the pitfalls and they make an informed decision if they want to proceed in these circumstances.Many have not gone forward and are waiting for better times to come back...if they ever do??.
For my part, and I tell them this. I would not do it if I were in their shoes but many see no laternative with the Consul working as it is. In those circumstances we ensure that the application is as watertight as it can be.
Top Cat may have had bad experiences with unscrupulous business brokers, but I am not one.

[Emmalee25]

Topcat!
But that decision is still made by the client, I closed before my visa was issued, I knew the pitfalls (although didnt quite realise the density of the current situation) and still chose to go ahead, many people would, Hindsight is a great thing!
Em x

[anniefromessex]

Bobby, I'm sorry if I mentioned "England". Of course it could be anywhere else in the world that this would apply to, but coming from England I forget oher people who want to come here could be from Timbuctoo, so forgive me, but at the end of the day they would still have to have 5/6 employees!!!!

It seems I am always getting things wrong at the moment, so perhaps I should take a backseat and just lurk on here in future and not give advice that is totally and utterly wrong - thereby alleviating getting my arse kicked for wanting to help!!

[Kriz1]

You're a no-body on a forum till you get your ass kicked Annie...welcome to the club...:welcome:

[Bobby]

Bobby, I'm sorry if I mentioned "England". Of course it could be anywhere else in the world that this would apply to, but coming from England I forget oher people who want to come here could be from Timbuctoo, so forgive me, but at the end of the day they would still have to have 5/6 employees!!!!

It seems I am always getting things wrong at the moment, so perhaps I should take a backseat and just lurk on here in future and not give advice that is totally and utterly wrong - thereby alleviating getting my arse kicked for wanting to help!!

Annie,

Please don't take my post so seriously! I was merely commenting on the possibilities of immigrants from other countries.

I'd hate for you to think that this would be cause to lurk instead of posting. We need EVERYONE'S input, and I've enjoyed your posts so far, ....so please don't stop posting.
Christ ....... if everyone I disagreed with stopped posting, I'd be on here by myself!


....... and believe me you didn't get your arse kicked!
Wait until you say something REALLY stupid!! lol :D

Bobby

Just for the record ...it's Timbuktu ;) ;) ;)

[anniefromessex]

Hi Bobby,

Sorry for being so sensitive, personal stuff going on in England at the mo, so am feeling pretty fragile, but shouldn't let it come out on here so please accept my apologies.

I just knew I would get my arse kicked over my spelling of Timbukto - I knew at the time it wasn't right but cos I don't have an Honors Degree - did you know that's a requirement of E-2 and I have G.C. so don't need one, I just put in any old spelling, ha ha!!! Go to the bottom of the class Annie, no fags, no booze, no nuthin, OMG.

[Emmalee25]

Annie,
you are so funny! and dont you dare lurk, you have to have a bit of a tantrum on here before you are anybody anyway ;) this whole forum surrounds a very personal heated topic, therefore we are all going to have our moments, and if the embassy and half of the VA's dont know the full stories then how are we to!!! its 50% guess work by most of us on here i would say!
Em x

[tiktak]

Hi All,
I have a point to make about the mom & pop issue, we are not the only country who goes the E-2 route, on the west coast of Florida there is a very large number of German mom and pop run businesses they get it within 6 weeks and thats on a bad week.
We are good enough to fight along side them so why are we the only country with such a big problemm amybe we should have taken the back seat like the other countries.
Until they show us the respect as a Freind.
Tiktak

[chris]

I think all this goes to once again show that the Immigration Act and in particular the E2 is a real crock. We are all agreed that there is a multi-step procedure which should be followed to apply for the E2 and it should start in London. Unfortunately, because of the problems there, people are doing things a***e about face which means the procedure ends in London.
Back in 2000, we searched for a business, decided we'd start our own from scratch and our application went into London via our Winter Haven based VA. Like many before and after us, we sold our UK home to realise our equity with which to use as the investment (or part of). We were fortunate in that we stayed in the intervening period with my wife's parents, but even then our 1 month planned stay extended to nearly 6 months which did nothing for my stress levels. When the biz plan, etc had been put together by the VA, we placed the $ investment relative to the biz plan in escrow with the VA and the paperwork went into London. All that was acceptable to the Embassy then. The Act has not changed, only people. I recall it took about 3-4 months for the decision on our 2 year E2 which we got via the US VA and in those days you didn't have to attend the embassy. Our link up with USCIS only occured when we arrived in the US and got our I-94's for 2 years.
That is how we did it, and I believe we did it precisely how you should do it .....BUT, back to the 21st century and today's reality and E2 applicants are faced with an embassy that is none too keen on start-ups, prefering existing biz's as it is more feely touchy. Given that any seller wants to sell now, not 12-18 months down the road, it is evidenced in potential E2'rs buying a 'good' business. If due diligence bears it out, then in commercial terms it is a good sound business opportunity which should not be ignored. However, back in Disneyworld (aka London) they can't seem to make their minds up whether they demand you have actually bought the business (MO was known for requiring this) or have the ducks in a row. The problem with the latter is again London can't make it's mind up exactly how the ducks should be lined up and what contract is attached to each of them to stop them swimming off. Then to cap it all, they take forever to process applications. It is therefore of no surprise that some business people make business decisions to buy before the ink goes on the visa paperwork.
As advice to any E2 wannabe, I would say that sound business sense and practise do not walk hand in hand with the E2 visa process which is bureaucracy based and uses as its basis a flawed and broken act.
If buying a biz and coming to Florida is led by the heart, then the head is led by the Embassy. Use your head, no matter what your heart says. Otherwise you will end up broken hearted.

[anniefromessex]

It just goes to show how arse about face they are at the Embassy because when my son applied for an E Visa they didn't like the fact that, having sold his home to get together funds for the business, he was living with his in-laws; they then start quoting "not enough ties to the UK" etc etc. What exactly do they want, I don't think they even know!!

[Bobby]

I've never been a great fan of those terms "not enough ties to the UK"

Whilst everyone understands the nature of the E-2 being temporary and not officially leading to anything more than this, I'm quite sure that not one person has ever set out to invest their life savings in a business venture, followed by a 2 year stint and subsequently return to their "ties in the UK" on completion. It's just not going to happen.
I'd venture a guess that 99% of immigrants buying a business have no inclination to return to their former homes, or they wouldn't be leaving them in the first place.

Bobby

[chris]

First of all Annie, be careful about poeple from Timbuctoo, I have relatives there!! (only joking).
The ties to the UK lark that the London Embassy pulls is a complete joke and if they were in court, the judge would kick them out. The London Embassy clearly states on its website of info for E2'rs that you must maintain links in the UK, ie keep your house. HOWEVER, if you read the FAM Rules (for the benefit of our little orphan Annie (joking again) it stands for Foreign Affairs Manual and is the book of guidance by which the wallers at the embassy WORLDWIDE make their decisions. It clearly states that you may dispose of your home and you do not need to maintain a presence in your home country. How's that for making the rules up as you go along! I will post the link for the FAM rules for Annies benefit again (can't do it now cos I don't know how to without losing this post)
PS for Annie - we have 2 on the Voice and you were mixed up with the other one. At home, my Ma is called Annie, one of brothers married an Ann, his eldest son married a girl called Ann and now to maintain the tradition his youngest son married - you guessed it an Ann. I guess you can recycel birthday cards quite well!!

[chris]

Just for little orphan Annie:
http://foia.state.gov/REGS/Search.asp

[Emmalee25]

"Ties to the UK"
so if you are an orphan, who was originally adopted, and single, but well off (coz everyone left you tons of money) enough to start a fresh in the USA on an E2!!!! where are your ties to the UK??? do they discriminate against this person!!! or do the rules change again???

Sorry thats confusing but i know what i mean :notworthy:
em x

[chris]

I think the US is seemingly no longer interested in Mom & Pop operations, certainly as far as the State Dept (London Embassy) appears. Yet the Mom & Pop business has and always will be the backbone of the US economy. Sure we'll have Walmart and the big box stores, but beyond that and you're into Mom & Pop territory. Look at any business mix in the US or the UK for that matter and it is the small business operation that is the glue that holds everything together. We can't all be or want to be Microsfts or GM or Ford. With the latter who wants to have to borrow $192M bucks to stay afloat? Now is that a marginal business or what?

[anniefromessex]

This Annie thing is really confusing me - I'm the one who dances round her handbag - coming from Essex so to speak!!

Actually Ann (without the e is my real name, but friends decided to lengthen it to Annie, strange how when you have a long name everybody shortens it), but to get back to the subject in hand ie "ties to the UK", I wish my son could have quoted the FAM business, it might have helped although I doubt it. It is soo intimidating when you are actually there doing the interview - got the t-shirt a few times on that one, my hubby has never actually been there - he always seems to get away from everything, childbirth etc!!!

Thanks for all your help, you know it is always appreciated.

Annie x

[anniemm]

and i'm the one who dances round her south london handbag......
I'm Ann with an E and called Annie..
Sorry to have confused things, most post are to you anyways , but if people want to differientiate can call you Annie and myself Anniemm :)


This Annie thing is really confusing me - I'm the one who dances round her handbag - coming from Essex so to speak!!

Actually Ann (without the e is my real name, but friends decided to lengthen it to Annie, strange how when you have a long name everybody shortens it), but to get back to the subject in hand ie "ties to the UK", I wish my son could have quoted the FAM business, it might have helped although I doubt it. It is soo intimidating when you are actually there doing the interview - got the t-shirt a few times on that one, my hubby has never actually been there - he always seems to get away from everything, childbirth etc!!!

Thanks for all your help, you know it is always appreciated.

Annie x

[Susie]

You're a no-body on a forum till you get your ass kicked Annie...welcome to the club...:welcome:


Hi Kris and Annie

Yes, know how you feel, even I am a member :angel:

Your doing great Annie and your heart is in the right place, keep posting, even if you get it wrong sometimes, we are all human and therefore none of us are perfect, least of all me, but I try to be ! :) :)

[InnVic]

Must be differnt in Florida - We found our business in October 2004 - put in our offer and signed contract with proviso of business visa approval. Our UK house sale didn't go through till late November so couldn't get escrow funds in place (condition of visa application as we had to show proof) until december so application went in December 9th 2004. We didn't hear anything till march 8th 2005. During this time we were living in rented accommodation - I was still working but Hubby was not. Application was eventualy approved on march 14th - our interview was March 21st, passports returned with Visa on24th and we were on a plane 29th! Closed on business 30th and first guest arrived 31st! Rollercoaster ride or what!....now we're looking forward to our renewal (NOT!)

[anniefromessex]

I think it's a case of who you get on the day. Not to be horrible to them but if they are in a good mood on the day, hey presto. If not your arse is going to be screwed!! Or at least that's the way it seems if you go by people on a same scenario basis!! The more you hear the more you get sceptical about the whole thing.

[Susie]

Must be differnt in Florida - We found our business in October 2004 - put in our offer and signed contract with proviso of business visa approval. Our UK house sale didn't go through till late November so couldn't get escrow funds in place (condition of visa application as we had to show proof) until december so application went in December 9th 2004. We didn't hear anything till march 8th 2005. During this time we were living in rented accommodation - I was still working but Hubby was not. Application was eventualy approved on march 14th - our interview was March 21st, passports returned with Visa on24th and we were on a plane 29th! Closed on business 30th and first guest arrived 31st! Rollercoaster ride or what!....now we're looking forward to our renewal (NOT!)


Hi InnVic

I am sure there is a lot of truth in your observation that the problem mainly lies in the State of Florida.

This coupled with too many property management companies (or part of ) being bought has raised a red flag to the Americam Embassy In london

[InnVic]

I can understand that Susie. Its obvious that SOME applicants for Visas for Florida have little or no interest in the business side - but just want the Sunshine Lifestyle. The immigration people know this and so everyone gets tarred with the same brush. Consequently applications for less obvious destination may be dealt with with less skepticism. I think I've made this observaton before - that the few who try to "buck" the system spoil it for the others who have a genuine wish to own/manage a (hopefully) prosperous business in the "Land of Opportunity" (sic!)