E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
IMMIGRATION LAWYER IN WEST PALM BEACH
Immigration Lawyer Sarah S. Rama, ESQ., LL.M. – Global Immigration Results – LL.M. Masters of International Law & Finance Attorney.
An E-2 treaty investor visa, according to the department of homeland security, is a non-immigrant classification designed to help a national of a country with which the U.S. does business to enter the U.S. when investing capital in a U.S.-based business.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR AN E–2 VISA?
In addition to being a national of a country with which the U.S. does business, there are several qualifications for E–2 classification, including the following:
- The treaty investor must have invested a substantial amount of money in a U.S. business. The word “substantial,” in this case, refers to the cost of buying an existing business or creating a new one. The investor must show his or her financial commitment to the success of the business by investing a large amount of money in the business proportionate to the size of the business itself. In addition, the business should have the capacity to generate sufficient income to provide a living for the investor and his or her family.
- The investor must be attempting to enter the U.S. only to build the investment enterprise.
- The investor must show at least 50% ownership of the business.
- The business must meet legal requirements for doing business in its jurisdiction.
ARE EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE FOR AN E–2 VISA?
Separate qualifications exist for employees of treaty investors seeking E–2 classification; these can be viewed on the USCIS website. In short, the employee should be involved in an executive or supervisory role within his or her employer’s enterprise, having control over the organization’s overall operation, or a major part of it.
CAN FAMILY MEMBERS ENTER THE U.S. ON AN E–2 VISA?
Both business investors and their employees who enter the U.S. on E–2 visas are allowed to bring spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 with them. Their family members are required to seek E–2 non-immigrant classification as dependents and, if approved, are typically allowed to remain in the U.S. as long as their treaty investor family member.
HOW LONG CAN A PERSON STAY IN THE U.S. ON AN E–2 VISA?
If a person qualifies for a treaty investor visa, he or she is allowed to remain in the U.S. for a maximum of two years. Requests for extension are typically granted, without a limit to the number of extensions of stay.
SARAH S. RAMA, ESQ., LL.M. CAN HELP!
The seasoned international team at Sarah S. Rama, ESQ., LL.M. has ample experience aiding clients in successfully obtaining the E–2 Treaty Investor classification. We can explain everything you need to know about the process, including eligibility requirements, how to complete the required paperwork, and how to troubleshoot if the process doesn’t go smoothly.
To learn more about how our team can help you and your family obtain this status, contact us for a free initial consultation. We can help simplify complicated legal concepts and terms, putting them into plain English, in any language!
