The E-2 visa is a renewable nonimmigrant visa that has a number of advantages for those who want to move to the U.S. It has one of the fastest overall processing times when compared to relative U.S. visas. Depending on one’s country of origin, the E-2 visa can be valid for up to 5 years and renewed indefinitely.

E-2 Visa Benefits

The visa also provides an avenue for foreign national investors and family members to live in the U.S. The investor can run the E-2 company while their spouse may work in the U.S. without restrictions. Children of the investor are also able to attend schools in the United States and can be on their parent’s E-2 until they reach 21 years of age.

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The E-2 investor also has taxation advantages to include avoiding international taxation. The E-2 visa can also provide the investor with several extensions as needed.

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E-2 Countries

The E-2 visa is only available to passport holders of E-2 treaty countries, in which the United States currently has certain diplomatic relationships. For example, countries with bilateral, friendship, commercial, or navigation treaties. There are currently over 80 E-2 treaty countries, and a list of these countries is available through the U.S. Department of State.

The E-2 visa came to light recently due to the immigration preferences delays. Chinese investors found their EB-5 visas had a cut-off date in 2015. The result of the delays now suggests a Chinese national applying for an EB-5 visa today, will likely have to wait more than 10 years before gaining approval due to the waiting period changes.

Waiting lists for E-2 certain countries

Other countries currently have a waiting list on visas. Vietnam, for example, joined the list of backward countries this year. India has a waiting period of up to 15 years for several visas.  While the aforementioned countries currently are not able to gain the E-2 visas, foreign nationals from those countries can explore alternative routes to the E-2.

For example, a person wishing to apply for an E-2 visa may seek to gain citizenship in an E-2 treaty country. Once the person has an E-2 country passport, they can apply for the E-2 visa.

This visa can be used either along with or instead of a green card. This means that an investor and their family can stay within the United States before gaining their green card. There currently are a small number of countries that would allow a foreign national to gain citizenship through CBI programs in a short period. One popular choice for this program is Grenada.

Benefits of the Grenada Citizenship option for E-2 Visa

To gain citizenship in Grenada, a foreign national must wait a short period of 4 months. Once gaining this citizenship, Grenadians may apply for the E-2 visa at the U.S. consulate in that country of their residence. The process from start to finish may generally take between 6 to 7 months. The faster turnarounds as seen in the E-2 investor visa make it a more attractive option. Especially for foreign nationals who need a program that allows them to enter the United States in a faster time.

Several people have found themselves in a long wait for the chance to apply for the EB-5 visa. However, it must be considered that obtaining another countries passport will not decrease the amount of time required for the EB-5.  This is because the EB-5 is based upon the nationality of birth.

If they are waiting too long, they should consider exploring the E-2 visa program. Individuals who are approved for the E-2 visa can enter the United States with their families within 6 to 7 months. And enjoy the privileges of being in America.

The E-2 visa provides an entry platform in starting a business without fully committing. Even with individuals who have a weaker control of the language, Visa Franchise has business opportunities available. In several cases, the minimum amount that may be needed for the E-2 business averages around $200,000. To learn more about the visas, visit this page.