E2 VISA PROGRAM PACKAGE
E-2 visas are used for investors. The requirements for the E-2 visa for treaty investors are as follows:
1. There has to be an investment treaty that is ratified between the United States and the foreign country. The following countries qualify for E-2 Treaty Investor Status: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Yugoslavia.
2. The visa applicant must be a citizen of one of the above countries who have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S.
3. The investor must have already invested, or is actively in the process of investing, a ‘substantial amount of capital’. What is ‘substantial’ will vary from case to case depending on the size of the business. Businesses in the millions of dollars will certainly qualify, but even smaller companies may qualify.
4. The business may not be a marginal business. It must be an active business with substantial revenues and profits and cannot be used solely as a way for the investor to earn minimal income.
5. The visa applicant must be coming to the United States to develop and direct the enterprise. In certain situations, the visa applicant can also be an employee transferring to the U.S. as a manager, executive or specialized knowledge employee.
E VISA PROCEDURES AND PROCESSING TIMES
The E visas are usually filed with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence. The procedure for filing your E visa will vary greatly from country to country because different consulates are involved and each has different procedures and processing times. Most documents will be similar across the board, but there are many regional changes and requirements that each consulate has separately. For example, in some countries the E-2 visa application can be adjudicated in 2 weeks, while in the U.K. processing times often take over 4 months. Applicants who are already in the U.S. in another visa status may ask for a change of status here. In most cases this is not recommended because the applicant will have to apply again in his or her home country for a visa upon leaving the U.S.
Dependents such as spouses and children may apply simultaneously or following the primary applicant’s approval. Spouses and minor children (under 21) of E visa holders receive E-1 or E-2 visas. Spouses with E visas may apply for work authorization upon arrival in the U.S. and then work independently without a visa sponsor. Children can study in the U.S. without separate sponsorship but cannot work. Once the company is approved for E visa status, the various consulates will keep that registration for a while. Some for 3 years, some for 5, etc. This is like a blanket approval of the company, which allows the company to file for additional employees more easily since the company’s eligibility to file for employees in this visa status has already been officially established.
E VISA VALIDITY
E visas are usually granted for 5 years at a time. However, if the U.S. company has been doing business for less than one year, additional information and evidence must be submitted at a later date. If approved, E visas for start-ups will be granted for two years. If, after the two years the company is doing well, the visa can be renewed for five years. E visas may not be renewed indefinitely as it is not intended to be a permanent visa status. The applicant must intend to leave the U.S. when his or her stay is over. New companies coming to the U.S. often underestimate the time it will take them to set up operations and start accruing revenue. Therefore, it is really important to use an immigration attorney with strong business knowledge.
We offer a complete solution for individuals seeking to receive the E2 visa. We can register the new US based company, offer a temporary professional manager in order to handle all local issues including the opening of a bank account, offer US office and virtual office services and most importantly offer adequate business consultancy to facilitate sooner the obtaining of the E2 visa.
Our business experts can locate an existing business in the US which meets the criteria for you to purchase and move to the US under the E2 visa.
We work closely with the best immigration lawyers in the US to maintain our 100% success rate. Contact us for more information.