For those of you wanting more information about the state of the E2 visa during COVID-19, we will go over a few key points about the consulates, the E2 visa in the time of Trump and waivers that may affect your visa.  The great news is that the E2 visa is still available, is still being approved and is still a great option for those entrepreneurs who want to start their business in the largest economy in the world.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates are OPEN for E2 visa interviews

Beginning the week of July 24, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world began to reopen in order to conduct E2 visa interviews.  Currently, London, Berlin, Sydney, Amsterdam, Oslo, Rome, Madrid, Paris, Vienna and others are all scheduling E2 interviews.  So, yes, E2 interviews and approvals are happening all over the world at the moment, and we anticipate that all embassies and consulates will be open and conducting interviews before October.  This is incredible news!

E2 visa approvals seem to be same rates before COVID-19

Although there hasn’t enough time since E2 visa interviews began to have the official data, anecdotally, it appears that E2 visas are being approved as they were before the pandemic.  Indeed, the E2 visa may be one of the few visas that the Department of State has been given instruction to approve at even higher rates.  Consider that Donald Trump’s main concerns regarding immigration are 1) U.S. citizen employment and 2) the U.S. economy.  The E2 visa is the solution to both of those problems.  In order to assure the consular officer that your E2 business will solve U.S. problems, it is always advisable to have at least 1-2 U.S. citizen employees at the time of application and, of course, full documentation of the money you have invested into the E2 visa business.

E2 visa is still available despite Trump’s visa bans

Presidential proclamations that have been issued since April have put a damper on some visas, but not the E2 visa.  This is crucial – the E2 visa is still available for all citizens of treaty countries.  There has been no change to the E2 visa in any way since the beginning of 2020.  Waiting times for interviews may have increased (depending on where you are citizen), but the E2 visa requirements are the same.  So, the E2 visa is still a great option to get to the US.

No matter where you are from, you can enter the U.S.

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Even with the “travel ban” on those people traveling from China, Brazil and Europe, you can still come to the U.S. with an approved E2 visa.

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If you are living in one of those areas and get the E2 visa, you will get a “waiver” at the interview once you have been approved.  This waiver will allow you to travel to the United States within 30 days of the date of the waiver.  The officer at the airport has the option to put you into quarantine, but as of the date of this writing, none of my clients have been ordered into quarantine.  It may be advisable to have a COVID-negative test result with you when you arrive.

Society is opening up and your business can flourish

After months of varying degrees of “lock down,” things are improving in the United States.  Children are going back to school, businesses are open, and things are getting back to “normal.” The news has certainly added to the confusion, but as people who live in the U.S. will tell you – people are working and making money again.  The amount of “openness” varies state-to-state, but every week, more states are easing restrictions.

Schools are opening – safely

As you likely know, your child can attend school as an E2 derivative.  Many schools around the United States are currently open.  Some states are still waiting to open schools, but it is expected that by October, most schools in the United States will be open.  All schools have been instructed to make changes to the school environment in terms of seating, masks and cleaning.  Rest assured that each state and each school district is doing its best to ensure a safe learning environment for all children, teachers and staff.  Your child’s safety and education are of the utmost importance – and schools across the country are addressing these issues.

The U.S. economy is still based on small businesses

The United States needs you!  The U.S. economy is the largest economy on earthbecause of the business-friendly policies and the hard work of business owners.  All business owners in the United States know this, and we (I include myself in this) need people like you.  You are brave and you’re looking for a better life for you, your family and your business.  The United States is still the best place in the world for you, and you are welcome here.