TN
That U.S. opportunity is worth a conversation. Explore professional work through the TN pathway.
Richmond U.S. VISA SUPPORT · CANADAYOUR FUTURE HAS NO ZIP CODE.
A BIGGER LIFE IS CALLING.
U.S. visa support in Richmond. YOURAMERICANDREAM.
Let’s make your move.
✦WORK.
BUILD.
BELONG.
BUILD.
BELONG.
Consider a Richmond-based business owner running an import, export or trading operation who wants to open or expand a U.S. presence. Because our tracked services include E-2 rather than a separate treaty trader category, the planning question is how to frame the venture as a qualifying investment.
U.S. visa support for Canadians
ready for what’s next.
EXPLORE
CANADIAN ROOTSAMERICAN HORIZONS
Live the next chapter. Work. Build. Invest. Make your move.
THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY FORWARD.THE DREAM IS YOURS.
THE DREAM IS YOURS.
LET’S FIND THE WAY.
E-2 is one of six pathways tracked alongside TN, L-1A, L-1B, EB-5 and Gold Card. A trading business can sometimes qualify under either an investor or a trader framework, so understanding which applies to your actual operation matters before proceeding.
YOUR RICHMOND STARTING POINTMAKE THE FIRST
MAKE THE FIRST
CONVERSATION COUNT.
Choose what brings you here. Leave with a short list of things to discuss—not another long form to fill out.
0 OF 4 READY TO DISCUSS
Clarify how the U.S. operation is structured
This shapes which category actually fits.
FOR PEOPLE WHO SEE A LITTLE FURTHER.YOU WEREN’T
YOU WEREN’T
MADE TO
THINK SMALL.
Trading and investment cases can look similar on paper but rest on different legal tests. An E-2 investor case needs a genuine capital investment at risk in a real enterprise, distinct from simply facilitating trade volume between two countries.
Meet the people in your cornerTHE BIG MOVE. BROKEN DOWN.FROM “ONE DAY”
FROM “ONE DAY”
TO YOUR NEXT STEP.
Personal support.
A practical plan.
No promises we can’t keep.
01
Clarify the nature of the U.S. operation
Describe whether the U.S. presence will be a capitalized business you own and direct, which points toward E-2 investor treatment, or primarily a trade-facilitation role.
02
Document the capital investment
Assemble records showing funds committed to the U.S. enterprise, including any inventory, warehouse space, equipment or working capital involved.
03
Build the operational and staffing plan
Describe how the U.S. operation will function day to day and what roles it will create, since this supports both the investment case and its non-marginality.
04
Confirm your ongoing role in the business
Set out your title, responsibilities and time commitment to the U.S. operation, since an E-2 case depends on genuinely developing and directing the enterprise.
A LITTLE CLARITY GOES A LONG WAY.YOUR FUTURE.
YOUR FUTURE.
NOW BOARDING.
If it is unclear whether your operation is better framed as an investment or a trading relationship, use the journey tool or book a free initial consultation and describe how the business actually operates.
Find your pathway
YOUR NEXT CHAPTERCANWHERE IT STARTSUSAWHAT COMES NEXT
TRAVELLERA BIG THINKER
PURPOSEMORE POSSIBILITY
FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
THE FIELD GUIDEBIG QUESTIONS.
The complete field guide BIG QUESTIONS.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS.
RICHMOND IS HOME. THE WORLD IS OPEN.SUPPORT THAT REACHES YOU.
SUPPORT THAT REACHES YOU.
A BIGGER HORIZON.
Planning from Richmond? Start with a free initial consultation remotely and bring details of your current trading operations and U.S. expansion plans. We are not a law firm and collaborate with licensed U.S. attorneys where needed.
Let’s connect YOUR VANCOUVER CONNECTION
Let’s talk about your plans.
Arrange a remote consultation to discuss your next steps.
BEFORE THE BIG MOVELET’S CLEAR
LET’S CLEAR
A FEW THINGS UP.
Is there a separate treaty trader category besides E-2 investor status?
The Department of State treaty visa framework includes both a treaty trader (E-1) and a treaty investor (E-2) classification, but our tracked services focus on the E-2 investor route. If your operation is centered on substantial ongoing trade volume rather than an investment enterprise, discuss the treaty trader option separately with qualified counsel.
What kind of investment does an import or export business need to show?
The investment needs to be substantial relative to the type of enterprise involved and genuinely at risk, which for a trading business might include warehouse or office space, inventory financing, staffing and operating capital, documented with clear records.
Does the enterprise need to be based only in the U.S.?
The E-2 enterprise itself needs to be a real U.S. business that the investor develops and directs; ongoing business relationships with the Canadian side of the operation do not disqualify the case but should be described clearly as part of the overall structure.
What if the business is much larger than a typical E-2 case?
For a larger operation with significant job creation potential, comparing E-2 against EB-5 is worth doing, particularly if permanent residence rather than renewable temporary status is the long-term goal.
PLANNING SOURCES
Editorial source review: 2026-09-07.
ONE TEAM. MORE LOCAL STARTING POINTS.
All cities & coverage EXPLORE METRO VANCOUVER.
WHAT’S YOUR
NEXT CHAPTER?
Tell us where you are today.
Let’s talk about where you want to go.