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E-2 visa leads UK entrepreneur to California dream

Franchising is an ideal fit for many foreign entrepreneurs seeking to live and work in the US.

Samrat, Nandini and Amaara Chatterjee (on right) celebrate the opening of their Maui Wowi franchise with family. From left: sister Aarti Galot, brother-in-law Narendra Galot with nieces Khusi and Syna.

September 19, 2014 by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Nandini Chatterjee was ready for a change.

Chatterjee was a tax consultant living in the United Kingdom with her husband, Samrat, and daughter, Amaara.

"We wanted a change in our lives and decided to move out the UK and embark upon our adventure to the US," said Chatterjee.

Their adventure began in August, when Chatterjee opened her Maui Wowi store in Oceanside, California.

Samrat and Nandini Chatterjee

Chatterjee is one of many foreign entrepreneurs living and working in the U.S. under the E-2 visa program.

To qualify for the program, foreign entrepreneurs from the US's treaty countries must make a substantial investment in a business that has an economic impact. While the visa is not a "green card" and does not provide a path to citizenship, it does renew every five years, and can be renewed indefinitely.

Once an immigration attorney pointed her in the direction of the E-2 visa program, Chatterjee began looking for opportunities.

"We had been looking to buy an independent business in the US, but nothing materialized," said Chatterjee. "Not being familiar with the U.S. business laws, regulations and requirements, a franchise was our best option because of the support you get from a franchise system. We chose Maui Wowi for the support system, product offering and the fun factor."

Franchises are a good fit people seeking E-2 visas, said Daniel Joyce, a partner with Hodgson Russ LLP.

"When compare to the alternative of a foreign investor buying or starting a stand-alone business, the franchise model offers many mutual advantages," said Joyce. "The franchisor gets a franchisee whose commitment to the success of the business has the added element of the desire to remain lawfully in the United States. The franchisee gets the advantage of the 'learning curve' from management and marketing system already in place, helping the franchisee overcome the challenges of dealing with business and legal systems that are different from the home country."

Franchisors must show some degree of flexibility for relationships with foreign entrepreneurs seeking the E-2 visa to work, cautioned Joyce. For instance, potential franchisees must commit to the investment before their visa can be approved, so franchisors might need to be patient in waiting for franchisees to be able to start working.

Maui Wowi has worked with other E-2 Visa Program participants in the past, and has more in the pipeline.

"The E-2 visa program is a very viable source of franchisee candidates that has the potential to bring in highly qualified business owners who have passion, drive and determination," said Mike Weinberger, CEO of Maui Wowi. "Their desire to relocate to the US and begin a business they can call their own shows a commitment to hard work and perseverance."

Franchising

About Brenda Rick Smith

Brenda has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and public relations professional. She invested most of her career telling the story of entrepreneurial non-profit organizations, particularly through social media.

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