Law firm Colombo & Hurd has secured an E-2 Treaty Investor change of status for a Canadian investor launching a land-clearing and site-preparation business in Central Florida.
The investor was already living in the United States on a separate non-immigrant status tied to prior employment when the application was filed.
USCIS approved the change of status in just 18 days through premium processing, with no Request for Evidence issued at any stage.
The approval allows the client to remain in the United States legally and direct the growth of his new enterprise across the region.
The investor identified land-clearing and site-preparation services as a strong commercial opportunity in Central Florida, where residential, commercial, and agricultural projects regularly require cleared and levelled land before work can begin.
The company was structured around services including clearing, grading, and site finishing for property owners, builders, contractors, and agricultural clients seeking ready-to-use parcels.
The client, a Canadian national with a background in workforce coordination and equipment-based service work, brought direct operational experience in managing crews, coordinating schedules, and overseeing equipment safely.
As lead attorney on the case, Colombo & Hurd immigration attorney Dallan Bunce moved quickly to prepare and file the petition within a tight status window after the client’s prior L-1 employment ended.
Timing was critical throughout the case, as the family had only a limited window following the end of that employment to request a change to E-2 status before their lawful status lapsed.
The petition was built around three core points: that the client owned the business outright, had made a real and traceable investment in it, and intended to run it personally on a day-to-day basis.
Because some startup expenses had been paid from the client’s personal accounts before a company bank account was opened, the legal team had to carefully trace each payment back to the business to establish a clear source of funds.
The petition documented investment in equipment, marketing, insurance, and other initial startup costs, presenting a company that was active and ready to serve customers rather than a speculative idea.
Attorney Bunce commented on the case, saying: “This case required close attention to timing and evidence. We also had to look carefully at ownership, source of funds, and how the investment reached the business. Those details can make or break an E-2 change of status case.”
The clean approval with no Request for Evidence reflects the strength of the petition and gives the client and his family a clear lawful path forward in the United States.