Jump to content
NYCGirl18

E-2 Investor Visa ... Anyone Have One?!

 Share

17 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Timeline

Hello everyone.

Okay ... hoping someone here has experience getting an E-2 investor visa!! Anyone?!

I can't seem to find anyone who has gone through this process and since this is the route my boyfriend is going to be taking, I figured I'd try.

If you've applied for this type of visa and want to share some answers based on your experience, I have a few questions!

1.) What is the MINIMUM amount of money needed in your bank account to get approved? My boyfriend's lawyer has told him several times he only needs $100,000 of funds, but I've read in different threads on here that the minimum is $200,000 - $250,000 ... so now we're getting a little nervous. Does the amount of money actually matter if he has an awesome business plan and everything else he needs (An office space, American bank account, etc.)?

2.) What are some reasons someone would be denied this type of visa if they have everything submitted properly and have all the required items? Would not enough funds in his account be the number one reason? What about the business plan? How much of a factor does that play?

3.) If he gets approved, can he leave the country in the two years his visa is good for?

4.) Is the amount of time it takes (I'm talking about from the time the application is sent in until the approval) about the same amount of time as all the other visa types? Or is it quicker? I don't remember ever reading anything about this.

5.) If he gets approved for this visa and then sometime within the two years, we decide to get married, how easy is it to adjust his status? If he's here on the E-2 visa and is allowed to be here for 2 years, could we actually plan (and have) a real wedding?! I know with the CR-1 he would have to go back to the UK once we got married and wait for the visa to be approved, but if he was already allowed to be here, could we get married, and he could stay here on his current E-2? I guess I'm just wondering how exactly that would work...

Any answers would be greatly appreciated! It looks like this isn't a very popular type of visa from what I can see on VJ, but thought I'd try!

Edited by NYCGirl18
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

Hello everyone.

Okay ... hoping someone here has experience getting an E-2 investor visa!! Anyone?!

I can't seem to find anyone who has gone through this process and since this is the route my boyfriend is going to be taking, I figured I'd try.

If you've applied for this type of visa and want to share some answers based on your experience, I have a few questions!

1.) What is the MINIMUM amount of money needed in your bank account to get approved? My boyfriend's lawyer has told him several times he only needs $100,000 of funds, but I've read in different threads on here that the minimum is $200,000 - $250,000 ... so now we're getting a little nervous. Does the amount of money actually matter if he has an awesome business plan and everything else he needs (An office space, American bank account, etc.)?

2.) What are some reasons someone would be denied this type of visa if they have everything submitted properly and have all the required items? Would not enough funds in his account be the number one reason? What about the business plan? How much of a factor does that play?

3.) If he gets approved, can he leave the country in the two years his visa is good for?

4.) Is the amount of time it takes (I'm talking about from the time the application is sent in until the approval) about the same amount of time as all the other visa types? Or is it quicker? I don't remember ever reading anything about this.

5.) If he gets approved for this visa and then sometime within the two years, we decide to get married, how easy is it to adjust his status? If he's here on the E-2 visa and is allowed to be here for 2 years, could we actually plan (and have) a real wedding?! I know with the CR-1 he would have to go back to the UK once we got married and wait for the visa to be approved, but if he was already allowed to be here, could we get married, and he could stay here on his current E-2? I guess I'm just wondering how exactly that would work...

Any answers would be greatly appreciated! It looks like this isn't a very popular type of visa from what I can see on VJ, but thought I'd try!

Can anyone answer my questions ... Pretty please? :)

Edited by NYCGirl18
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

I don't know the specific answers to your questions, but I found this article that is interesting and will give you some insight.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/16/business/la-fi-smallbiz-visa-20110516

Sounds like one of the most important things is proving that the business will make an impact in improving the economy through investments and jobs and there is no minumum amount of funds required but many factors are considered.

Good luck.

Removing Conditions

Sent package to VSC - 8/12/11

NOA1 - 8/16/11

Biometrics - 9/14/11

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

I don't know the specific answers to your questions, but I found this article that is interesting and will give you some insight.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/16/business/la-fi-smallbiz-visa-20110516

Sounds like one of the most important things is proving that the business will make an impact in improving the economy through investments and jobs and there is no minumum amount of funds required but many factors are considered.

Good luck.

That is a great article! Thanks for sending it my way! I've forwarded to my boyfriend already! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
1.) What is the MINIMUM amount of money needed in your bank account to get approved? My boyfriend's lawyer has told him several times he only needs $100,000 of funds, but I've read in different threads on here that the minimum is $200,000 - $250,000 ... so now we're getting a little nervous. Does the amount of money actually matter if he has an awesome business plan and everything else he needs (An office space, American bank account, etc.)?

I have heard it is possible to get an E2 with such a low sum, it would be very unusual.

2.) What are some reasons someone would be denied this type of visa if they have everything submitted properly and have all the required items? Would not enough funds in his account be the number one reason? What about the business plan? How much of a factor does that play?

The funds have to be committed, usually they would be in ESCROW subject to visa issuance. The totality is what matters.

3.) If he gets approved, can he leave the country in the two years his visa is good for?

Of course

4.) Is the amount of time it takes (I'm talking about from the time the application is sent in until the approval) about the same amount of time as all the other visa types? Or is it quicker? I don't remember ever reading anything about this.

There is not a standard time for all other visa types and it would vary by Consulate.

5.) If he gets approved for this visa and then sometime within the two years, we decide to get married, how easy is it to adjust his status? If he's here on the E-2 visa and is allowed to be here for 2 years, could we actually plan (and have) a real wedding?! I know with the CR-1 he would have to go back to the UK once we got married and wait for the visa to be approved, but if he was already allowed to be here, could we get married, and he could stay here on his current E-2? I guess I'm just wondering how exactly that would work...

E2 is a VERY risky and expensive alternate to the CR-1, but it's his money.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

I have heard it is possible to get an E2 with such a low sum, it would be very unusual.

The funds have to be committed, usually they would be in ESCROW subject to visa issuance. The totality is what matters.

Of course

There is not a standard time for all other visa types and it would vary by Consulate.

E2 is a VERY risky and expensive alternate to the CR-1, but it's his money.

Thank you for your response. =)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

I hope all works out for you. I am actually trying to get an E2 visa. It seems like I'm paying this lawyer for me to do much work. He is charging me $7375 to obtain this visa, what are your thoughts?

That seems a little expensive, but I know my boyfriend's lawyer would charge $6,000 (or at least that's what he told him) ... where are you in the process? It might be easier/cheaper to just research everything and then do it all yourself? My boyfriend hasn't actually applied for the E-2 yet. He comes back to the US on August 1st and then has to finalize some company things over here before he can actually apply (I'm sure you know just how much is required before you can actually submit your application).

Also, do you know anyone else who has an E2 visa? If so, what was their process like? I only know one other person in NYC that has one but his situation is pretty different (he is a millionaire) so of course they would give him one! LoL. I'm just really looking for anyone who has any insights into what kind of business ideas they'll approve (and which ones will be denied) in addition to how long it takes to actually get the visa, and what the absolute minimum amount of money is needed in ESCROW.

If you're willing to share your own experience, I'd love to hear it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

The Business will determine the capital investment, if it less than $250,000 then E2 is probably not the way to go.

E2's are not a DIY category.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

The Business will determine the capital investment, if it less than $250,000 then E2 is probably not the way to go.

E2's are not a DIY category.

See that's where I'm confused ... you say $250,000 ... my boyfriend's lawyer says $100,000 is all he needs. Realistically ... if he has $100k, is he going to get denied the visa for having "too little" funds, even though that is what his lawyer advised was okay?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

I suppose you can never say never.

Is the Lawyer guaranteeing that? No Visa, no Fee?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

I suppose you can never say never.

Is the Lawyer guaranteeing that? No Visa, no Fee?

I'm confused by what you mean - "no visa, no fee" ... are you implying that if his visa application gets denied, he doesn't have to pay the lawyer the fee?

Also - I don't think the lawyer has "guaranteed" him anything. Obviously, the lawyer can only advise on what he thinks is best ... it's not the lawyer's final say whether the visa gets approved or not. :blush:

Edited by NYCGirl18
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

At least the Lawyer sounds like he is covered.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

At least the Lawyer sounds like he is covered.

Just wanted to follow up here, since I still haven't been able to find anyone on this forum that has actually gone through the E-2 process.

I came across this site and found it to be pretty helpful answering a lot of my questions:

http://www.investorvisausa.com/faq.html

They are London-based US Immigration lawyers and seem to give a lot of detailed information on this type of visa. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else would find it as useful as I did. :)

Edited by NYCGirl18
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...