E2 Visa Overview

The E2 Investor Visa allows an individual to enter and work inside of the United States based on an investment he or she will be controlling, while inside the United States. This visa must be renewed every other year, but there is no limit to how many times one can renew. Investment must be “substantial.” An investor must “contribute” to the US economy. (Setting up a small shop alone is not enough.) Investor visas are available only to “treaty nations”. The dollar amount of cash investment normally should exceed $200,000, depending on the type of business. This is an approximated amount and applicants must be aware that some consulates can require as much as $500,000 and more. The dollar amount should only be money spent on the business. Any expenses not directly spent on the actual business itself will not count toward the required amount. The investment must be large enough to start and operate the business.

The amount of investment varies on the type of business. The $200,000 dollar amount would not be a substantial investment for a business such as the construction and management of a shopping center or office complex. The investment will not be considered substantial if it is not large enough to capitalize the venture. The USCIS will use an ‘Inverted Sliding Scale’ to determine whether the investment is substantial in proportion to the overall cost of the enterprise. Upon conclusion of the business, investors must return to their countries of origin, or change their status. The holder of an E-2 visa may leave the United States at anytime but not over the time limit of 6 months. Time Limits: Holders of E visas may reside in the United States as long as they continue to maintain their status with the enterprise.

E2 Visa Eligibility

• The investor, either a real or corporate person, must be a national of a treaty country. • The investment must be substantial. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise. The percentage of investment for a low-cost business enterprise must be higher than the percentage of investment in a high-cost enterprise. • The investment must be a real operating enterprise. Speculative or idle investment does not qualify. Uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security are not considered an investment. • The investment may not be marginal. It must generate significantly more income than just to provide a living to the investor and family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United States. • The investor must have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans secured with the assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed. • The investor must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise. If the applicant is not the principal investor, he or she must be employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity. Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.

E2 Visa Notes/Exclusions

Visa Ineligibility / Waiver The nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-156 lists classes of persons who are ineligible under U.S. law to receive visas. In some instances an applicant who is ineligible, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a treaty trader or treaty investor, may apply for a waiver of ineligibility and be issued a visa if the waiver request is approved.

E2 Visa Family Members

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, may receive derivative E-2 visas in order to accompany the principal alien. Dependents may seek employment in the US by applying for Employment Authorization using Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Children under 21 cannot apply for work, only the spouse of the E2 holder.

E2 Visa Processing Times may vary: approx from 1 -6 months

E2 Visa Processing Price (Government Filling Fee): from $320 – $1,320 + Consular fee+Translations

E2 Visa Processing Price (Average Attorney Fee): from $2,000 – $3,000

Who Pays The Fee?: This is dependent on the visa type. In some cases the employer will pay and in some cases, and if it’s a non sponsored visa the applicant would pay. Some employers may request that you pay your own consulate fees and travel to the country, while others may not. It usually depends on the skill level, the type of position and the type of visa. For some visa types it maybe the law of the country that applicants should not pay any fees.

O2 Visa Detailed STEP BY STEP Guide: Request Info

Hey Guys! Developing detailed, Quality Step by Step guide, based on government rules and our own experience, requires a lot of time and resources. Since there are so many working visas for USA and other Countries, we need your help to understand which working visas information to gather and publish first. Please Press the Request Info link, leave your name, email address, country you are from and the visa name that you would like to get the info about, and then hit the submit button.

The Work Visas, which will get the majority of Requests, will be published first.
They will also be sent to you by email automatically as soon as they have been created.
This info will be a combination of up to date government info, news, outlook and our own substantial knowledge having been in the industry since 1997.The information will be provided free for those that vote, for all others that come after this info is available there will be a charge to cover the cost of research, our expertise and putting it together in a report format.

Total Consular Process, Documentation & Fee, by Country

Embassy Waiting Times, by Country

Visa FAQ, by Country

SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS

SERVICES FOR APPLICANTS

Related:

• Click BLOG for useful Tips about Living and Working Abroad

• Click JOBS to visit our International Job Board for latest Vacancies and Resumes

• Click FORUM and Exchange Your Experiences

• Click HOME to come back to Information Library and our Knowledge Base

Resources:

• US Department of State

• Wikipedia

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E1 Visa Overview

The E1 visa for Treaty Traders allows nationals from countries that maintain an appropriate treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S., to enter the U.S. to conduct trade between the U.S. and their home country.

Advantage of this Visa: Applicants can travel freely in and out of the U.S. while on a valid E1 visa and can stay on a prolonged basis with unlimited two year extensions as long as you maintain valid E1 status. Applicant’s dependents can stay with you as long as you maintain your E1 status. They can also attend school. Possible to apply at an American Consulate abroad or apply for a change of status if you are in the U.S. Applicant’s spouse may seek employment by applying for an employment authorization document.

Time Limits: Holders of E visas may reside in the United States as long as they continue to maintain their status with the enterprise.

E1 Visa Eligibility

Applicant Must be a national of a treaty country
Treaty countries currently include: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia.

Trading company must belong to the treaty country
The trading firm for which you are coming to the U.S. must have the nationality of the treaty country

The trade must be substantial
The international trade between your home country and the U.S. must be ‘substantial’ in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing volume of trade. More than 50 per cent of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and your home country.

Applicant must be employed in supervisory or executive capacity, or possess specialized skills
You must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm. Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify.

E1 Visa Notes/Exclusions

Visa Ineligibility / Waiver
The nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-156 lists classes of persons who are ineligible under U.S. law to receive visas. In some instances an applicant who is ineligible, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a treaty trader or treaty investor, may apply for a waiver of ineligibility and be issued a visa if the waiver request is approved.

E1Visa Family Members: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, may receive derivative E visas in order to accompany the principal alien. The spouse of an E visa holder may apply to DHS for employment authorization. Dependent children of an E visa holder are not authorized to work in the United States.

E1Visa Processing Times may vary: approx from 1 -6 months
E1Visa Processing Price (Government Filling Fee): from $320 – $1,320 + Consular fee+Translations
E1Visa Processing Price (Average Attorney Fee): from $2,000 – $3,000

Who Pays The Fee?:
This is dependent on the visa type. In some cases the employer will pay and in some cases, and if it’s a non sponsored visa the applicant would pay. Some employers may request that you pay your own consulate fees and travel to the country, while others may not. It usually depends on the skill level, the type of position and the type of visa. For some visa types it maybe the law of the country that applicants should not pay any fees.

O2 Visa Detailed STEP BY STEP Guide: Request Info

Hey Guys! Developing detailed, Quality Step by Step guide, based on government rules and our own experience, requires a lot of time and resources. Since there are so many working visas for USA and other Countries, we need your help to understand which working visas information to gather and publish first. Please Press the Request Info link, leave your name, email address, country you are from and the visa name that you would like to get the info about, and then hit the submit button.

The Work Visas, which will get the majority of Requests, will be published first.
They will also be sent to you by email automatically as soon as they have been created.
This info will be a combination of up to date government info, news, outlook and our own substantial knowledge having been in the industry since 1997.The information will be provided free for those that vote, for all others that come after this info is available there will be a charge to cover the cost of research, our expertise and putting it together in a report format.

Total Consular Process, Documentation & Fee, by Country
Embassy Waiting Times, by Country
Visa FAQ, by Country

SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS
SERVICES FOR APPLICANTS

Related:
• Click BLOG for useful Tips about Living and Working Abroad
• Click JOBS to visit our International Job Board for latest Vacancies and Resumes
• Click FORUM and Exchange Your Experiences
• Click HOME to come back to Information Library and our Knowledge Base

Resources:
• US Department of State
• Wikipedia
• Specialists Websites

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B1 Visa Overview

B-1 visa is issued to a foreign citizen seeking to enter the United States of America for business purposes, while a B-2 visa is granted to a foreigner seeking to enter for tourism purposes. In practice, the two visa categories are usually combined together and issued as a “B1/B2″ visa valid for a temporary visitor for either business or pleasure or a combination of the two.

Business or pleasure cover a wide variety of possible reasons to visit the United States. Under the category of temporary visitor for business, it can be used to:
• Negotiate and sign contracts
• Purchase supplies or materials
• Hold business meetings or attend/exhibit at a convention
• Settle an estate

Under the category of temporary visitor for pleasure, a B2 visa can be used to:
• Travel within the US
• Visit family or friends
• Participate in activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature
• Obtain medical treatment

Advantage of this Visa: Applicant do not require an approved visa petition from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for the B1/B2 visa. Applicant can apply for a B1/B2 visa in person at an American Consulate nearest to your residence. This visa is quicker and easier to obtain.

Time Limits: Up to 90 days at any one time visit, no more than 6 months overall in a calendar year.

B1 Visa Eligibility

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law.
The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
• The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
• That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
• Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
• Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
• That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties that will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

B1 Visa Notes/Exclusions

Visa Waiver Program
Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa if they meet the visa waiver program requirements. Select Visa Waiver Program to learn more, and find out if you meet the visa waiver requirements.
Currently, 35 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
Visa Waiver Program – Participating Countries
Andorra Iceland Norway
Australia Ireland Portugal
Austria Italy San Marino
Belgium Japan Singapore
Brunei Latvia Slovakia
Czech Republic Liechtenstein Slovenia
Denmark Lithuania South Korea
Estonia Luxembourg Spain
Finland Malta Sweden
France Monaco Switzerland
Germany the Netherlands United Kingdom
Hungary New Zealand

B1 Visa Family Members: —-

B1 Visa Processing Times may vary: usually quite quickly, within 2 weeks, for more precise info please visit Total Consular Process, Documentation & Fee, by Country

B1 Visa Processing Price (Government Filling Fee): if not from the countries listed below, depending on the embassy and exchange range around $130.

B1 Visa Processing Price (Average Attorney Fee): vary in the range of $200 – $300.

Who Pays The Fee?:
This is dependent on the visa type. In some cases the employer will pay and in some cases, and if it’s a non sponsored visa the applicant would pay. Some employers may request that you pay your own consulate fees and travel to the country, while others may not. It usually depends on the skill level, the type of position and the type of visa. For some visa types it maybe the law of the country that applicants should not pay any fees.

O2 Visa Detailed STEP BY STEP Guide: Request Info

Hey Guys! Developing detailed, Quality Step by Step guide, based on government rules and our own experience, requires a lot of time and resources. Since there are so many working visas for USA and other Countries, we need your help to understand which working visas information to gather and publish first. Please Press the Request Info link, leave your name, email address, country you are from and the visa name that you would like to get the info about, and then hit the submit button.

The Work Visas, which will get the majority of Requests, will be published first.
They will also be sent to you by email automatically as soon as they have been created.
This info will be a combination of up to date government info, news, outlook and our own substantial knowledge having been in the industry since 1997.The information will be provided free for those that vote, for all others that come after this info is available there will be a charge to cover the cost of research, our expertise and putting it together in a report format.

Total Consular Process, Documentation & Fee, by Country
Embassy Waiting Times, by Country
B1 Visa FAQ, by Country

SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS
SERVICES FOR APPLICANTS

Related:
• Click BLOG for useful Tips about Living and Working Abroad
• Click JOBS to visit our International Job Board for latest Vacancies and Resumes
• Click FORUM and Exchange Your Experiences
• Click HOME to come back to Information Library and our Knowledge Base

Resources:
• US Department of State
• Wikipedia
• Specialists Websites

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