The fastest way to get the opportunity to live and work in the USA.
Traditionally, a large number of people have been interested in investing their assets in the U.S. economy. U.S. immigration law provides various programs to facilitate this opportunity. The E-2 visa was introduced to allow foreign investors to manage a business and actively participate in its development.
The E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa for investors and their families who wish to live and conduct business in the United States. By law, the investor must invest a "substantial amount" in the U.S. economy by either starting their own business or investing in an existing one. The visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times, provided that the business remains operational.
Family members can apply for a dependent visa along with the primary applicant. Upon arriving in the U.S., the spouse can obtain the right to work, and children can attend school.
Advantages of the E-2 investment visa.
The E-2 investor visa is one of the most popular due to the fact that it can be obtained in a relatively short time, requires minimal investment, has no quotas, and has a very low refusal rate.
1. Minimum investment threshold
There is no fixed amount for the required investment in the law, it simply states that the amount must be "substantial." In practice, the investment amount for approval of the E-2 visa by the U.S. immigration service starts from $100,000.
2. Short approval time
If you originally hold the citizenship of a country whose citizens are eligible for the E-2 investor visa, the document processing time may take a few months. However, for citizens of the Russian Federation, it is necessary first to obtain citizenship, for example, from Grenada, so the path to obtaining the E-2 visa may take 8 to 12 months.
3. Easy extension
The E-2 visa can be extended an unlimited number of times for you and your family, as long as your business continues to operate and generate income.
4. Family Immigration
Close family members have the right to accompany you while you are in the United States for investment purposes. Adult family members can apply for work authorization, while children are eligible to attend school.
Who can apply for an E-2 visa?
To be eligible to apply for an E-2 investor visa, a number of conditions must be met.
- Be a citizen of a country with which the United States has a treaty of commerce, navigation, and investment protection.
The E-2 visa is immediately available for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and others. For citizens of Russia and Belarus, the E-2 visa can be obtained through acquiring Grenadian citizenship via investment.
- Invest in a business in the United States starting from $100,000.
You can open a new company, purchase an existing business, invest in a franchise, or enter into a partnership where your share in the company is more than 50%.
- Prove the legality of the source of the invested funds.
- Show that there is no criminal record.
Features of Investments for an E-2 Visa
In order to be eligible to apply for an E-2 investor visa, you must demonstrate your investment in the U.S. economy. In the case of purchasing an existing business, franchise, or shares in a business, you may use so-called escrow accounts. In this case, your investment funds are "frozen" in the account and are only transferred to the service provider if your petition is approved. In the event of a visa denial by U.S. immigration authorities, the funds are returned to your account.
If you are planning to invest in your new business, you will need to spend your funds on renting or purchasing a property for commercial activities, as well as acquiring the necessary equipment.
It is worth noting that the likelihood of petition approval and obtaining the visa may depend on the size of your investments in the U.S. economy. You need to demonstrate the seriousness of your intentions regarding running and developing a business in the United States.
E-2 visa through intermediary citizenship
As mentioned earlier, individuals from countries that have specific agreements with the United States are eligible to apply for the E-2 visa. Russia and Belarus do not have such agreements, but citizens of these countries can obtain intermediary citizenship by investing in countries like Turkey, Grenada, or Montenegro.
Grenada Citizenship
Turkish citizenship.
Sign up for the first consultation.
During the first consultation with an American attorney, you will receive a clear plan for your immigration, assess the chances and risks associated with choosing investment options and relocating to the United States under the E-2 program.
The consultation is conducted in Russian or English, either in person at the office of attorney Matthew Morley in Moscow or online.
Services of Attorney Matthew Morley
The success of the petition approval and obtaining the E-2 investor visa directly depends on how thoroughly and in accordance with the law you prepare and submit your documents. Often, the legal nuances of U.S. immigration law can present difficulties, overcoming which may take a significant amount of time. Additionally, in the case of an investor visa, there are always financial risks that one would like to minimize. We offer full support in the process of obtaining an E-2 investor visa for you and your family, as well as assistance with the subsequent stages of extension and status change within the United States.
Attorney Matthew Morley will help you choose the appropriate investment strategy for your case to obtain the visa, as well as assist in gathering the necessary documents, filling out the petition, and preparing you for the interview at the U.S. Embassy.