E-2 Visa

---

• The E-2 visa allows a citizen of a treaty country (a country with which the United States shares a bilateral treaty of commerce and navigation) to be admitted to the USA when there is an investment of “substantial” capital and active involvement in a pre-existing business, new business or a franchise in the United States.

The investor must possess at least 50% of the shares of a bona fide (lawful, legitimate, real) business established in the US.  

The E-2 program issues a temporary visa of 5 years. There is no limit to how many times the E-2 visa can be renewed.

Requirements:

• The entrepreneur must be a citizen of a country with which the United States maintains a bilateral treaty of commerce and navigation.
• The entrepreneur must have invested, or be actively involved in the investment process, a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide company in the United States.
• The entrepreneur must be seeking entry to the United States solely to develop and manage the company of investment. This can be established by showing a minimum of 50% ownership of the company or possession of operational control through a managerial position or via another arrangement.

Advantages and Benefits:

• There is no minimum investment, although obviously it will depend on the needs of the target business, and the expected outcome, which should be enough over time to sustain the entrepreneur and his/her family.
• No need for previous experience in management, entrepreneurship, or in the target business, or pre-existence of a business of any nature in the country of 
• The entrepreneur’s spouse can work under an E-2 dependent visa, for any employer or independently
• Children under 21 can attend the school of choice
• Free travel in and out of the USA
• Indefinite permanence, in two-year increments, for as long as the business concern is sustained, which may evolve over time.
• The processing process is relatively fast, between 3 and 4 months, and allows for premium processing of 15 days, for a fee
• The application is submitted locally at the consulate of the country of origin. No USCIS petition required.  

IMG services:

IMG advises E-2 Visa candidates in all aspects and stages of the process, in compliance with the program requirements: 

• Assessment of the candidate’s possibilities and alternatives
• Definition of the business and immigration strategies. 
• Search, diligence and acquisition of an existing business (franchised or not)
• Engagement and coordination of immigration lawyer
• Preparation and submission of petition

IMG’s focus will always be on the quality and viability of the target business as the key objective, consequently resulting in the qualification and approvability of the visa petition, as well as the conditions for successful renewal. 

Exclusive focus on the visa as the main objective, having the business as just a means to achieve it, will inevitably result in unsustainable situations, with significant losses of time and money.