From Latin America to Florida: Business & Immigration Pathways

Treaty status varies by country and should be verified individually

Latin America includes both treaty and non-treaty countries for E-2 purposes, and the list changes over time. Rather than generalize about the region, founders should confirm the current treaty status of their specific nationality against the U.S. Department of State's published list before structuring a plan around the E-2 classification.

Where E-2 is not available, other pathways (including L-1 intracompany transfer, O-1 extraordinary ability, or an employment-based route) may be more appropriate depending on the individual's circumstances.

Why Florida is a common entry point

Proximity, direct flights, an established Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking business community and existing trade relationships make South Florida a frequent first stop for companies and families expanding from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

Common structuring patterns

• A family-owned operating company forming a Florida subsidiary to serve the U.S. market directly.
• An individual investor or family acquiring Florida real estate alongside an operating business to support both investment and immigration objectives.
• A founder relocating personally to direct a new or acquired Florida business under an investor or executive classification.
• A holding company structure separating personal, real estate and operating-business assets for liability and succession planning.

Source of funds documentation across currencies and jurisdictions

Capital originating in Latin American jurisdictions often moves through multiple currencies, family members, or corporate entities before reaching a U.S. account. Each step in that path generally needs supporting documentation.

• Corporate financial statements, tax filings and bank records substantiating the origin of funds.
• Notarized and translated documentation for property sales, inheritances, or family gifts.
• A clear narrative connecting foreign currency transactions to the eventual U.S. dollar investment.
• Records addressing any local capital controls or reporting requirements that applied to the outbound transfer.

Coordinating home-country and U.S. counsel

Matters of local corporate law, family succession and local tax reporting are best handled by counsel licensed in the home country, working in tandem with U.S. counsel on entity formation, immigration filings and Florida contracts, with a shared timeline for the overall transaction.

Practical considerations before relocating

• Confirm the individual's nationality and treaty status before selecting a visa category.
• Budget time for certified translation and, where applicable, apostille of foreign corporate and personal records.
• Decide early whether the Florida entity will be owned directly or through an existing holding company.
• Coordinate family immigration planning (spouse, children, aging parents) alongside the business timeline.