Getting an E-2 Treaty Visa

The United States is a land full of great opportunities which you can exploit through an E-2 treaty visa.

If you are an investor from a country that has a Treaty of Trade and Commerce with the United States, you can live and grow your business in the United States.

The E-2 visa is available to qualifying persons who intend to start a business or purchase an established business in the United States.

Advantages of an E-2 Treaty visa

• Your spouse can live and work with you in the U.S
• Your children who are not above the age of 21 can also live and go to school in the U.S
• You can even bring employees who qualify along with you.

A Business Plan is Very Important

In order to show that your investment is worthy of being considered, you would need to prepare a business plan. The business plan needs to show how your business meets the requirements of the E-2 visa program.

Choosing Your E-2 Visa Lawyer

Choosing the right lawyer is probably your most important decision. You want a lawyer who:

• Has strong academic qualifications
• Specializes in E-2 visa applications
• Is part of a team so that your work would continue even if that attorney is unavailable
• Has recent experience in assisting E-2 visa applicants from your country

Can Getting an E-2 Visa Lead To A Green Card?

Most visas require that an applicant coming to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa stay here for only a specified length of time and then return to their native countries. Applicants must state that they are not planning to apply for a green card as a condition of receiving their visa.

However, if you have an E-2 visa, you are allowed to come to the U.S. as a nonimmigrant and still apply for a green card — a doctrine known as dual intent. You may receive a green card based on your employment, your relationship to a family member who is a permanent resident or U.S. citizen, an adjustment of status or via the EB-5 immigrant category.

Applying for the E-2 visa

You can apply for the E-2 visa at the U.S consulate in your home country. You can also apply by filing a petition with the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services to change your status. You should only use this means if you are already in the U.S.

If you are filing a petition, you should note that your change of status does not amount to getting a new visa. So, if you have to leave the U.S, you would have to apply for a new visa before you can re-enter.

These rules are complex though, and you need the right kind of help to ensure that you have a successful application.

At Jurado & Farshchian, P.L, we have over fifteen years’ of combined experience in immigration practice. We devote a large part of our resources to helping E-2 investors like you achieve their dreams.