Austin E-2 Visa Lawyer
E-2 visas are a great yet often overlooked option for investors who wish to enter the United States. With an E-2 visa, investors can be granted immigrant status, as well as their spouses and minor children. In order to be eligible for an E-2 visa, an individual must be a citizen of a country that currently has a treaty with the United States. If you are an investor wishing to enter the United States, an Austin E-2 Visa lawyer can help you determine if you qualify, and assist with the process.
Benefits of E-2 Visas
E-2 visas hold many advantages over other non-immigrant options. The benefits of E-2 visas include:
- No requirement for an employer to sponsor the applicant, or a job offer
- Smaller investments qualify and there are no requirements for job creation as there are with EB-5 visas
- Allows for self-employment
- The process can be completed at most Consulates and the process is fairly quick
- No maximum number of extensions or limitations on the duration of the visa
E-2 visas are also a great option for investors who want to create a new business, or purchase an existing business, while living in the United States.
Eligibility Requirements for E-2 Visas
While E-2 visas do bring many benefits to foreign investors, they do also have a number of eligibility requirements. These are as follows:
- At least 50 percent of a business must be controlled by or owned by the national of the treaty country.
- The investment must be considered substantial, and any investment of assets or funds must be permanent and irrevocable. Generally speaking, an investment of $100,000 to $200,000 is considered substantial.
- Investments must be significant enough that they guarantee the successful operation of the business.
- The investment must be an active commercial enterprise or an entrepreneurial operation. Paper organizations and idle investments do not qualify. Also, funds in a bank account that have not been committed to any investment also do not qualify.
- The investment must have a substantial impact on the U.S. economy, or it must generate substantially more income than what is necessary to support you and your family.
- The investor must control the investment, and it must have a certain degree of business risk attached to it. Loans obtained by securing them with the assets of the investment business do not qualify.
- The investor must enter the United States to direct and develop the business. If not considered a principal investor, the individual must be considered an essential employee.
Our E-2 Visa Lawyers in Austin Can Help You Gain Approval
At BBA Immigration, our Austin E-2 visa lawyers can help you collect the required documentation and information necessary to obtain approval for an E-2 visa. Call us today or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
