Starting an E-2 Business in Miami

Miami is a natural base for E-2 investors from Latin America and Europe. It offers an international customer base, trade through PortMiami and Miami International Airport, and Florida’s tax rules: no personal state income tax and a $125 LLC filing fee. The two common pitfalls are passive real estate and small businesses with no staff.

Why do foreign investors choose Miami?

• International market. Spanish is widely spoken and many customers, suppliers and partners do business across the Americas and Europe.
• Trade and logistics. The port and airport support import, export, wholesale and freight forwarding businesses, many clustered around Doral and Medley.
• Tourism and hospitality. A large visitor economy supports restaurants, services and hospitality operations.
• Florida taxes. No personal state income tax, though C corporations pay Florida corporate income tax.

Check nationality first. Many Latin American countries have E-2 treaties, including Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and Paraguay. Others, such as Brazil and Peru, do not. Ecuador’s E-2 is limited to investments in place before May 18, 2018. See the full E-2 treaty countries list.

Florida business costs and taxes

Item	Florida rule
LLC formation	$125 ($100 articles of organization plus $25 registered agent designation)
Annual report (LLC)	$138.75, filed between January 1 and May 1; late filings incur a $400 fee
Personal state income tax	None
Corporate income tax	5.5% for C corporations; LLCs taxed as partnerships are generally not subject
Sales tax	6% state plus county surtax
Local	Business tax receipts from the county and, where applicable, the city

Confirm current amounts with the Florida Division of Corporations and Department of Revenue, and your entity and tax choices with a CPA. See E-2 taxes and health insurance.

Which industries work for an E-2 business in Miami?

• Restaurants, cafes and bakeries: high demand and heavy staffing, with health and state licensing.
• Import, export and wholesale distribution: with real warehousing, inventory and staff.
• Property management and short-term rental operating companies: managing units for other owners, with staff. See E-2 and real estate.
• Cleaning, landscaping and pool services: crews and recurring customers.
• Beauty, wellness and med-spa concepts: with licensed staff, subject to Florida rules.
• Logistics and freight forwarding: near the port and airport.

What does it cost to launch in Miami?

In our experience, Miami-area service businesses typically launch at $120,000 to $250,000, restaurants and med-spa concepts at $250,000 and up, and acquisitions start around $250,000. The E-2 itself has no minimum; the proportionality test applies. See E-2 minimum investment.

Cost points to plan for:

• Rent: varies sharply between Brickell, Wynwood, Coral Gables, Doral, Hialeah and Fort Lauderdale. Use submarket quotes.
• Insurance: property and windstorm coverage can be expensive in South Florida.
• Labor: use South Florida wage data and plan bilingual hiring where the business needs it.
• Working capital: hospitality concepts need a cushion for seasonality.

Common Miami pitfalls

Real estate. Many investors arrive wanting to buy condos or houses. Passive property never qualifies, no matter the amount. Only an active operating business does.

Marginal businesses. A small cafe run by the owner alone or a one-person consultancy without a hiring plan is the classic marginal enterprise. A Miami plan needs staff from early on.

Source of funds. Officers look closely at how the money was earned and moved: property sales with deeds, company dividends with tax filings, salary history and currency conversion records. Informal transfers and undocumented cash are the most common problems. Prepare the paper trail before funds move; see E-2 source of funds.

Does Miami affect where you apply for the visa?

No. A Florida business does not route your case to any particular consulate. E-2 visas are issued at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, and since September 6, 2025 applicants generally apply in their country of nationality or legal residence. See the E-2 application process.

Local licensing pointers

• County and city business tax receipts: Miami-Dade County and many cities, including the City of Miami, issue local business tax receipts.
• Food service: Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses most food establishments.
• Contractors: construction trades require state certification or local registration.
• Cosmetology and med-spa services: require state professional licenses for practitioners.
• Short-term rentals: many municipalities restrict or license vacation rentals; check before you plan the business.

How TealBridge supports Miami investors

TealBridge is based in Dallas. For Miami clients we work remotely and on site during launch, with local partners such as brokers, CPAs and contractors. We handle business selection or acquisition, the Florida entity and banking, lease and licensing, hiring, investment records and the five-year business plan. Your immigration attorney prepares and files the visa application; see our partner network.

Next steps

Confirm your nationality and budget fit with the E-2 eligibility checker. If you are considering a business in Miami, request an initial consultation.