Customized E2 Visa Assistance

Pursuing the American dream by obtaining the right to live and work in the United States is challenging. The H1B is the visa generally taken advantage of by skilled workers, while the popular K-1 visa is for foreigners marrying United States citizens. For business persons looking to open up shop in the United States, the E2 investor visa provides a path to realize the American dream. 

While the E2 investor visa does not grant citizenship status, it is something we can help you renew continuously. An experienced E2 visa lawyer from George & Marzialo, PLLC, can consult and advise you through the process. Our Lawyers have successfully immigrated to the United States. We now apply our extensive experience in the field to help you. 

E2 Investor Visa Basics 

The E2 U.S. investor visa is available for non-immigrants who invest in or own a business in the United States. They must be the individual who invested in the company or who participates in operations management. The E2 visa is also called the “treaty investor visa” because the applicant must be a citizen of a nation with a treaty commerce pact in place with the U.S. To help determine if you qualify to begin the E2 visa application process, it is helpful to reach out to an E2 visa lawyer at George & Marzialo. 

The Advantages and Benefits of an E2 U.S. Investor Visa 

The E2 U.S. investor visa is available to persons who have significantly invested in a business organization in the United States. The primary purpose of the E2 investor visa is to enable the business investor to maintain operations or expand and develop upon an existing business. The United States supports these types of visas because they can bring money and jobs into the country, which needs to be demonstrated in the application process. 

If you are a foreign national taking advantage of the E2 visa, you can: 

• Conduct business in the U.S.
• Expand your trade activities 
• Acquire pre-existing businesses 
• Form new businesses 
• Engage in economic activities like any U.S. citizen 

With an E2 investor visa, in addition to entering the U.S., you may also bring your spouse and any children under the age of 18. As regulations currently stand, the E2 visa can be renewed as needed. To fully explore the benefits of the E2 investor visa and to have any questions answered or concerns addressed, an E2 visa lawyer from George & Marzialo is here to help.

Investment Types Covered Under the E2 Investor Visa 

To qualify for the E2 visa, you must have already invested your capital into a pre-existing U.S. business, invested capital into the purchase of an existing US business, or invested capital into the establishment of a new U.S. business. In order to support the best possible outcome in your application, it is helpful to make your investment prior to applying for the visa. The investment is also required to be actual, not speculative. The purchase of land, a home, or stocks do not qualify as business investment. 

To qualify for the E2 investor visa, your investment must: 

• Be an actual, commercial venture 
• Provide active and ongoing benefits to the U.S. economy 

While these two requirements might seem to apply to a broad variety of business types, it is important to understand there are limitations. Non-profit organizations do not qualify, nor do firms on paper, inactive investments, or enterprises that do not offer any service or commodity. Actual, tangible value must be created for the U.S. economy through your investment in order to qualify for an E2 investor visa. The best way to ensure your application is complete and supports the success of your efforts to do business while being physically present in the U.S. is by working with an experienced E2 visa lawyer. 

Given that not all types of investments will qualify, you can expect your application to be carefully examined by the U.S. government. Officials will consider whether or not your investment is independent of your E2 visa application, or if the investment was made specifically to improve your chances for the investor visa. For these reasons, making the investment sometime before the application is important, so it will demonstrate that your decision to invest in the U.S. economy was not motivated by or contingent upon receiving an E2 visa. 

When there is suspicion that your application was not properly motivated, then it may be denied, which can lead to time-consuming delays in your ability to travel to the U.S. in support of your business venture. Speaking with an E2 visa lawyer from George & Marzialo can help to alleviate any stress and confusion you might have about the process while supporting the best possible outcome for you, your business, and your family. 

The Immigration Benefits of the E2 Visa 

It is important to understand the right to be present in the U.S., which is provided through the E-2 investor visa and is available to yourself, your spouse, and your minor children, does not grant any citizenship benefits. However, it does afford unlimited entries into the U.S.. If your goals extend beyond simply the right to visit the U.S. for business purposes, an E2 visa lawyer can advise what options might be available to achieve your citizenship goals. 

A Significant Investment Supports Your E2 Visa Application 

While there is no exact number we can provide that will be considered sufficient for your application to be approved, it is a fact that the greater your level of investment, the greater the likelihood that your application will be approved. To qualify, your investment in the business must be a controlling stake in the operation. 

Additionally, your investment must create employment opportunities for Americans. It is not enough to simply purchase a company with the intention of operating it in the U.S., but rather your business must create jobs and directly contribute to the U.S. economy. The investment made into an existing business must entail at least a half-stake in ownership. Alternatively, the investment must be large enough to support the establishment and operation of a new enterprise. 

Investments that qualify for the E2 visa are required to be irrevocable, committed, and deemed sufficient for approval. The amount that the government assessors will determine is appropriate for your application will depend upon the industry and other matters. An E2 visa lawyer can help you package your application most effectively and attractively before the U.S. government assesses it.

Requirements for the E2 Investor Visa 

As detailed by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to qualify for the E2 investor visa the applicant must:

• Be a national of a treaty country 
• Be admitted to the U.S. when investing a “substantial amount of capital” into a U.S. company 

It is possible that some employees of such an individual or qualifying organization can also achieve this classification. 

If already in the U.S., the investor applicant must:

• Have lawful nonimmigrant status 
• File Form I-129 to ask for a change of status to E2 classification 

If the investor applicant is outside of the U.S., to obtain E2 classification they should refer to the U.S. Department of State site for information concerning applying for an E2 nonimmigrant visa while abroad. 

Knowing what process applies to you, and how to best position yourself for approval so that you can take advantage of the benefits of the E2 visa as soon as possible can be difficult to determine on your own. The management of your business and investments is complex enough, but with an E2 visa lawyer assisting with your E2 investor visa on your behalf, you can rest assured the process will be supported by a knowledgeable professional. 

The E2 Visa is Limited in Duration 

The rights that are conferred from the E2 visa last for a period of five years. It can be renewed every two years as long as your U.S. business continues. Spouses of the E2 investor visa are also allowed to remain and even work in the U.S. during that time.

Connect with an E2 Visa Lawyer from George & Marzialo

An experienced E2 visa lawyer from our firm can guide you through every step of the immigration process. Contact George & Marzialo to learn more about our extensive immigration services.