Business visa??

[su_bing]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with a few business related questions?

I recently have been in negotiations with a prospective business partner and it came up in conversation that we would both like a move to the US so I said I would look into it.

The business that I am planning to buy into is a modelling agency here in the UK. It is local but quite successful with over 350 models on the books. It has been established for 13 years and the current owner has been in operation for the past 4 years.

I did a web search and came across the E2 and the L1 visas but, am a little confused about the whole process and which visa would, if at all, would be suitable for such a business moving to the US.

My questions are really this,
1) Would the 350 models be classed as employees? Basically the agency gets them work and then the agency receives a % of their wage.

2) How long would I as a partner need to be running the business here before I would be able to join my business partner in the US (if that is possible)?

I hope that this is enough info.

Thanks, Su