How Much Does an E-2 Visa Cost in 2026? Complete Fee Breakdown
The E-2 visa cost in 2026 has two distinct components that most applicants confuse: the process cost (government fees, attorney fees, business plan) and the investment cost (the substantial capital you put into your U.S. business). The process cost typically runs $6,000 to $15,000 per applicant, while the investment cost runs $80,000 to $400,000+ depending […]
E-2 Visa Requirements 2026: The Complete Eligibility Guide
The E-2 visa requirements in 2026 are stricter on paper than they were five years ago — but they remain one of the most accessible routes for foreign entrepreneurs to live and work in the United States. There is still no fixed minimum investment, no annual cap, and no labor certification. What there is — […]
Trade Secret Misappropriation A Guide for US-Canada Business
It usually starts with a resignation, a suspicious download, or a competitor whose pricing suddenly looks too familiar. By the time a founder calls counsel, the problem is rarely theoretical. An employee has left with files, a vendor has reused internal know-how, or a Canadian affiliate has received material that was originally shared under a […]
Am I a Canadian Citizen Born Abroad to Canadian Parent?
You were born outside Canada. One of your parents is Canadian. Maybe a grandparent was born in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal. Now you're asking a question that sounds simple but often isn't: am I a Canadian citizen born abroad to Canadian parent? For many families, the confusion starts when relatives give conflicting answers. One person […]
Compliance Officer Responsibilities for U.S. & Canada
A founder closes a promising U.S. customer. The sales team celebrates. Then procurement sends a vendor packet asking about sanctions screening, privacy controls, employee training, whistleblower reporting, records retention, and who in the company owns compliance. Nobody has a clean answer. That's the moment many SMEs realize growth has outpaced governance. The issue usually isn't […]
Forum Selection Clause: US vs. Canada Enforceability
State courts across the United States enforced forum selection clauses in 77 percent of reported cases between 1972 and 2019, and that rate rose to 79 percent from 2010 to 2020. For a Canadian business signing a U.S. contract, that matters because the clause picking the court may work very reliably in the U.S. while […]
What Is A Certificate Of Incorporation? Legal Essentials
A certificate of incorporation is the official filing that creates a corporation as a separate legal entity from its owners. In the United States alone, there are approximately 33 million small businesses, and for many owners this document is the legal starting point for risk protection, ownership design, compliance, and growth. If you’re starting a […]
Trade Secret vs Patent: Maximize Your IP Protection
You’ve built something valuable. Maybe it’s a manufacturing process in Toronto, a software workflow used by clients in New York, or a product design you’re preparing to launch on both sides of the border. The question usually arrives earlier than founders expect. Should you patent it, or keep it secret? At Mayo Law, our attorneys […]
LLC vs Corporation New York Which to Choose?
You’re forming a New York business, the product is ready, a lease or client contract is close, and then the structuring question lands. Should you use an LLC or a corporation? For founders working across New York and Canada, that question gets harder fast. A Canadian co-owner, future investor, or E-2 visa plan can change […]
How to Get an Apostille in New York | Mayo Law
If you’re trying to use a New York document in another country, a plain copy usually isn’t enough. Founders expanding into Ontario, families handling overseas adoptions, and individuals proving lineage for citizenship claims often hit the same roadblock. The foreign authority wants proof that the New York document is real. For individuals and businesses navigating […]