2025.08.27 – FRANCHISE MODELS AND IMMIGRATION PATHWAYS TO THE UNITED STATES

Learning objective: To explain how franchise models support immigration processes through E-2 visa and L-1 visa applications.


UNDERSTANDING THE FRANCHISE MODEL AND IMMIGRATION VISAS

The term franchise (franquicia: contrato de explotación de una marca ajena) means a legal agreement allowing one party to operate under another party’s established brand. In practice, a franchise combines entrepreneurial independence with the structural support of a recognized system. For immigrants, a franchise often serves as an organized entry point into the U.S. market.

The concept E-2 visa (visa E-2: permiso temporal de residencia por inversión) is a nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount in a U.S. business. Substantial investment means sufficient capital to ensure the business functions actively and is not marginal. When linked to a franchise, the investment includes equipment, training, and ongoing operational costs.

The concept L-1 visa (visa L-1: permiso temporal de transferencia intraempresa) is a nonimmigrant visa that allows an executive or manager of a foreign company to transfer to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The L-1 route requires evidence of managerial work abroad and the intent to perform comparable duties in the United States. Unlike the E-2 visa, the L-1 does not depend on nationality but on corporate structure.

A company named Kaminskiy Group appears as a provider of a handyman franchise model oriented to investors. Their advertising emphasizes E-2 and L-1 eligibility, which means their system is designed to meet immigration conditions. For example, they highlight that the business is income-ready, which aligns with the requirement that an E-2 investment must be active and generate employment.

Pedagogically, the example of Kaminskiy Group illustrates the intersection between private enterprise and federal immigration frameworks. While the company provides the operational platform, the U.S. government grants the visa only if the investor demonstrates compliance with regulatory requirements. The distinction teaches that opportunity and legal authorization are complementary, not identical.

In application, the Federal Immigration Law under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) governs both E-2 and L-1 visas. Every potential investor must study this framework before relying on a private franchise offering.


APPLYING AND COMPARING VISA PATHWAYS THROUGH A FRANCHISE

When an investor evaluates an E-2 visa, the central action is capital allocation into a real enterprise. Using the handyman franchise model, one must calculate the total startup cost, verify operational readiness, and demonstrate capacity to employ U.S. workers. For example, if the franchise requires purchasing tools and training, these expenses count as part of the investment. In practice, documentation of each payment forms part of the visa petition.

The L-1 visa applies differently. Instead of proving capital deployment, the applicant demonstrates corporate continuity. If an entrepreneur owns a repair company abroad and opens a U.S. branch under the franchise system, the managerial transfer can justify L-1 eligibility. The franchise provides the structural framework, while the foreign company provides evidence of prior employment.

A comparison shows that E-2 emphasizes individual investment, while L-1 emphasizes corporate expansion. Both paths intersect in the franchise model because the franchise supplies credibility, business processes, and proof of sustainability. However, the investor must select the correct route according to personal background. For example, a young entrepreneur with savings may prefer E-2, while a company director may qualify for L-1.

The educational lesson from the example of Kaminskiy Group is that business opportunity alone does not guarantee immigration success. The company promotes franchise benefits, but only legal compliance ensures visa approval. Therefore, consultation with immigration attorneys becomes indispensable. The U.S. Department of State reviews E-2 applications, while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) evaluates L-1 petitions, each under separate procedural standards.

From a regulatory perspective, both visa categories reflect U.S. policy priorities: E-2 encourages foreign capital, while L-1 fosters international business integration. A franchise model serves both purposes because it mobilizes financial resources and corporate management simultaneously. This dual relevance makes franchise investment a strategic tool for immigration planning.

The final guidance is to integrate operational analysis with legal preparation. Investors must evaluate franchise agreements for economic viability and cross-check every contractual term against immigration requirements. By uniting private opportunity with federal regulation, individuals transform a commercial decision into a structured immigration pathway.

Published by Leonardo Tomás Cardillo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardocardillo

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