Looking to own a business in the U.S.? A cleaning franchise business could be your ticket. For E-2 visa applicants, it checks all the critical boxes: low startup costs, a proven business model, high demand, and recession-resistant services.
It’s practical. It’s scalable. And it’s backed by franchise systems that understand what new business owners need.
In this guide, we’ll analyze the essentials of launching and growing a cleaning franchise as an E-2 investor. Topics include:
- What a cleaning franchise is and how it works
- Why the cleaning industry is booming—and why that matters
- Key benefits of owning a cleaning franchise business
- Types of cleaning services you can offer
- Step-by-step instructions to launch your business on an E-2 visa
- Common challenges and how to navigate them
If you’re ready to take control of your future and own a successful business, exploring cleaning franchise opportunities may be the smartest move you make. Let’s dig in.
What Is a Cleaning Franchise?
A cleaning franchise is a service business that provides residential or commercial cleaning services through a licensed business model. Whether you’re offering carpet cleaning, office cleaning, or junk removal, these services are essential to everyday life and business operations.
As a franchise owner, you operate your cleaning business under the brand name and system of the franchisor. This includes business training, access to a recognized cleaning franchise brand, comprehensive training, marketing materials, and ongoing support.
Many franchises are structured to help new owners launch without prior business or cleaning experience. This makes them ideal for E-2 investors seeking a stable and straightforward entry point into the U.S. market.
Why the Cleaning Industry?
The cleaning industry is booming—and it’s not slowing down. In the U.S. alone, the commercial and residential cleaning services market is projected to grow by USD 37.8 billion from 2025 to 2029, with a CAGR of 5.9%. On the global stage, the cleaning market is expected to hit USD 734.17 billion by 2032.
Why is this important for E-2 investors? Because the industry meets key immigration requirements: it’s not marginal, it’s scalable, and it shows strong potential for long-term success. Cleaning services are essential services—they don’t get cut during downturns, and they generate consistent, recurring revenue through cleaning contracts.
Demand spans many industries from residential cleaning to commercial cleaning services for offices, medical buildings, or retail stores. With North America commanding a 37.65% share of the global market in 2024, the U.S. is an ideal location to start a commercial cleaning business.
Benefits of Starting a Cleaning Franchise Business
Built-In Support System
Franchisors like Jan-Pro, Merry Maids, and Vanguard Cleaning Systems provide all the support a new business owner needs. This includes everything from extensive training to operations manuals, customer acquisition tools, and marketing materials.
Having a blueprint to follow is essential for first-time franchisees.
Proven Business Model
You’re not reinventing the wheel. Cleaning franchises come with a tested, proven business model that has been replicated successfully by other franchise owners. This reduces the trial-and-error period and gives you a clear path to success.
Recurring Revenue
Commercial cleaning services operate on contracts—daily, weekly, or monthly. That translates into consistent income, predictable cash flow, and easy scaling. Many franchise owners start with one crew and eventually expand to multiple-unit franchises and cleaning crews.
Low Initial Investment
Compared to other franchise opportunities, a cleaning franchise often has a relatively low initial investment. Since many operate as a home-based business, you save on office space and overhead costs.
This is a big advantage for E-2 visa investors who must demonstrate that their investment is substantial, yet proportional to the business type.
Flexibility and Scalability
Commercial cleaning business hours are often early mornings or late evenings, offering a flexible schedule that can work around family or other commitments. Plus, the model is scalable. As your client list grows, so can your cleaning crews and revenue streams.
Types of Cleaning Services to Offer with a Franchise Model (E-2 Visa Aligned)
If you’re an aspiring E-2 visa investor looking to own your own business in a stable, recession-resistant industry, a cleaning franchise offers a clear path forward.
Whether you’re exploring a house cleaning franchise or a commercial cleaning business, the sector offers various scalable franchise opportunities. These opportunities meet E-2 visa requirements while generating predictable income and contributing to job creation.
Below are the top service segments to consider:
1. Office and Commercial Cleaning
Jumpstart your entrepreneurial journey with a commercial cleaning franchise—a cornerstone of many successful franchise systems. Serving office buildings, retail spaces, and industrial sites, commercial cleaning is more than just mops and buckets.
It’s about long-term, recurring contracts that create steady cash flow and job creation, which are crucial for your E-2 visa application. Think of this as the B2B backbone of the commercial cleaning industry, especially with the post-COVID emphasis on sanitation.
Services often include floor care, window washing, restroom sanitation, trash removal, disinfection, and post-construction clean-up.
2. Residential Cleaning
Do you prefer to work directly with families and individuals? A house cleaning franchise might be your perfect match. Ideal for recurring weekly or bi-weekly service models, this segment offers steady income and opportunities to build community ties, a bonus if you’re new to the U.S. and looking to establish local roots.
Top brands like Merry Maids offer service packages ranging from standard cleanings to move-in/move-out deep cleans.
Services often include kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces, and eco-friendly “green cleaning” options, making it easier to customize offerings for different demographics and price points.
3. Carpet and Floor Cleaning
If you’re looking for high-margin work and repeat customers, carpet and floor cleaning is a lucrative niche within both residential and commercial cleaning sectors. Yes, it requires specialized equipment, but the return on investment can be significant.
Take Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, for example. Their green technology uses 95% less water than traditional systems, with carpets drying in about an hour. For time-strapped homeowners and business clients, that’s a major value-add.
Plus, their eco-friendly approach appeals to today’s environmentally conscious market, giving you a competitive edge.
4. Janitorial Services
If you’re targeting large facilities like schools, hospitals, or corporate offices, janitorial services offer rock-solid revenue via multi-year contracts. These services are routine but essential: daily sweeping, vacuuming, restroom sanitation, and food area cleanups.
By hiring and managing your own cleaning crews, you create local employment—another key benefit for E-2 visa approval. Brands like Jan-Pro and Vanguard Cleaning Systems are go-to names in this space, with scalable business models that allow for regional expansion.
5. Niche Cleaning Services
Sometimes, fortune favors the specialist. Enter niche services—perfect for entrepreneurs looking to differentiate in a competitive landscape and charge premium prices.
- Window Washing: Companies like Squeegee Squad focus on residential and commercial clients with high-touch service and low overhead.
- Junk Removal: Partner with brands like Accelerated Waste Solutions to tap into America’s love for decluttering and renovation.
- Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning: A go-to service in rental-heavy cities; Merry Maids dominates this niche with detailed, all-inclusive packages.
- COVID-Related Sanitation: The pandemic may be in the rear-view mirror, but demand for disinfection isn’t. 360clean and Jan-Pro have built entire systems around infection prevention.
- Pool Cleaning: A hidden gem for E-2 applicants, pool services are low-cost to start and high on recurring revenue, especially in sunbelt states.
Whether you choose a commercial cleaning franchise or a house cleaning franchise, the cleaning industry checks every box for an E-2 investor:
- recession resistance,
- predictable revenue,
- scalable operations,
- and strong job creation.
You’ll not only own your own cleaning business, but you’ll be in control of a proven model that supports your visa status and your long-term success in the U.S.
What You Need to Start a Cleaning Franchise on an E-2 Visa
1. Understand E-2 Visa Requirements
You must be a citizen of a treaty country and make a “substantial” investment in a U.S.-based business. That business must be active, operational, and capable of producing more than marginal income.
In other words, it should be a legitimate, successful business that creates real economic impact.
2. Select the Right Franchise Brand
Not all cleaning franchise opportunities are created equal. Look for a franchise system that’s E-2 friendly—meaning they’ve helped other investors navigate the visa process.
Brands with experience supporting E-2 candidates will have the right paperwork, structure, and guidance to help you meet immigration requirements and launch with confidence.
3. Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
This is your business bible. The Franchise Disclosure Document breaks down everything: startup costs, royalty fees, franchisor obligations, and what kind of support you’ll receive. Partner with a franchise consultant or immigration attorney to ensure you’re clear on all the details.
4. Establish a U.S. Business Entity
Most E-2 investors form an LLC or corporation to operate their business. This legal structure is necessary for signing your franchise agreement and becoming eligible to apply for the E-2 visa.
5. Transfer Funds and Sign Agreements
Your investment must be irrevocably committed. That means transferring funds and signing the franchise agreement. Your initial investment often includes purchasing equipment, securing supplies, and preparing to provide commercial cleaning services—even leasing office space if required.
6. Develop a Strong Business Plan
Your E-2 business plan should show you’re serious about building a thriving cleaning business. It should include a competitive analysis, market demand for cleaning services in your area, detailed financial projections, and how you’ll recruit and train your cleaning staff.
Immigration officials want to see a clear path to success—and scalability.
7. Apply for the E-2 Visa
Once your business is structured, funded, and ready to start providing services, you can file your E-2 application through a U.S. consulate abroad or request a change of status if you’re already in the United States.
Challenges to Consider
No business is without challenges. The cleaning industry is labor-intensive. Attracting and retaining reliable staff can be difficult, especially in tight labor markets. Offering competitive pay and creating a strong work culture is key.
Additionally, rising labor costs and turnover can impact your bottom line. Choosing a franchise that offers business training, recruitment tools, and systems for managing cleaning crews can give you an edge.
Final Thoughts: Why Cleaning Franchises Shine for E-2 Investors
Cleaning franchises combine all the best franchise opportunities into one clear path: essential services, low initial franchise fees, built-in systems, and strong, recurring revenue.
You don’t need prior business ownership or cleaning experience to get started. With extensive training and all the support of an established cleaning franchise brand, you can go from zero to business owner with confidence.
Franchise ownership in this space offers real advantages: simplicity, support, and sustainability. For E-2 investors, it provides more than a visa path—it offers a bright future and a clean start.