E2 Investor Visa: What You Should Know and Anticipate (Tips & Tricks)
Learn all about the E2 Investor Visa, from processes to application tips and tricks. Get ahead in your visa application process now.
What is the best process to apply for an E2 visa?
The Step By Step
To ensure a successful E2 visa, we recommend following these steps:
Seek advice from an E2 visa consultant
Given the complexities of the E2 visa application process in the US, it is advisable to seek guidance from an experienced immigration consultant. This expert can evaluate your specific situation and ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for obtaining the visa.
Establishing your E2 business
The next step is to create or find a company, starting with finding a suitable franchise/business, deciding on the type of business formation, and opening a bank account.
Transferring funds to your E2 business account
Transfer your investment amount to the designated business bank account. Although there are no restrictions on the investment amount, a typical investment is around $100,000.
Using the funds for business operations
Begin using the funds to cover start-up costs such as equipment, supplies, marketing, and other business expenses. It’s crucial to note that simply having the money in your account is insufficient; you must use it for your business operations.
Submitting your E2 application
After establishing your business and utilizing your investment, you may submit your E2 petition.
How to find the best E2 visa consultant?
What do you need to look out for?
Finding the best E2 visa consultant requires some research and due diligence. Here are some steps you can take to find the right consultant for you:
Check their credentials: Look for consultants with relevant experience in E2 visas who are licensed to provide immigration services. You can check their credentials with relevant government bodies and professional associations.
Find a specialized consultant: Getting a specialized consultant on an E2 visa is more beneficial as it translates to more clients handled within the same visa and more targeted expertise.
Evaluate their communication skills: Communication is essential in the visa process, so make sure the consultant you choose can communicate effectively and is responsive to your questions and concerns.
Analyze the services and cost: E2 visa consultants charge varying fees. Make sure to evaluate what is included in their services according to your need.
Schedule a consultation: Schedule a consultation with the consultant to get a feel for their expertise, communication style, and professionalism. Use this opportunity to ask questions and evaluate if they are a good fit for your needs.
If you are looking to find one, click here to get a free consultation with us.
Get Free Assessment To Know If You Are Eligible For E2 Visa Today.
What is the process flow?
Understand The E2 Timeline
The first month is about gathering and preparing the required documents. After an E2 visa consultant reviews your case, you must provide the required documents.
The next stage is legal preparation, which will take around 2 weeks. The consultant with a lawyer will prepare and complete all of the applications.
It will take around 2-3 months for the consular processing. This timeline differs slightly based on your consulate. By paying an additional $2,500, you can use the premium processing option to reduce the processing time by 15 business days.
After you receive your E2 visa, in 2 years, you will need to renew your visa. However, not all countries apply for the 2 years E2 visa. You can check the visa length for each country here.
The Most Important Thing You Need To Know About E2 Visa Investment
Investment Amount, Credibility, And Source Of Funds
The investment amount required for an E-2 visa varies depending on the type of business and other factors. However, generally, it is essential to show a substantial investment. Here’s what you need to know:
Investment amount: The investment amount required for an E-2 visa can range from \$50,000 to \$500,000 or more. This amount depends on the type of business and the specific requirements of the treaty country.
Credible investment plan: It is essential to have a credible investment plan that outlines the proposed business’s expenses, revenue, and profits. The investment plan should demonstrate that the business is viable and has the potential to create jobs.
Source of funds: It is crucial to demonstrate the source of the investment funds to prove they are legitimate. This requires documentation of the funds’ origin, such as bank statements, tax returns, and business records.
E2VisaFranchises.com can help applicants develop a strong investment plan and demonstrate the source of funds. Our team of consultants have experience working with various franchise opportunities and can advise investors on the best options for their E-2 visa application.
What is an escrow agreement?
Why is it important to set up one for your E2 visa application?
An escrow is a financial arrangement where a neutral third party, typically a bank or financial institution, holds funds or assets on behalf of two or more parties involved in a transaction. The third party acts as a mediator between the parties, ensuring that the terms and conditions of the transaction are met before releasing the funds or assets to the appropriate party. They provide a secure way to ensure that funds or assets are transferred only when all parties have fulfilled their obligations.
To apply for an E2 visa, you must have invested in the company hence having an escrow account is advantageous for E2 visa applicants. It proves that the investment funds needed for the business are readily available, and if your E2 visa is denied, you have an escrow agreement that helps to mitigate the risk.
To set up an escrow account for an E2 visa application, an applicant should:
Find a reliable and licensed escrow agent like a bank or financial institution.
Negotiate with the escrow agent the terms and conditions of the escrow arrangement, including the number of funds to be held, fees, and conditions for releasing the funds.
Submit necessary documents, such as proof of the source of funds and investment, to create the escrow account.
Transfer the investment funds to the escrow account.
Wait for the visa approval, as the funds will remain in escrow until approval.
It is essential to note that an escrow account is optional for an E2 visa application. Nonetheless, it can be beneficial in demonstrating the availability of investment funds for the business while lowering the risk of your investment fund.
Get A Professionally Tailored E2 Visa Business Plan For Your Franchise.
Why is it not recommended to use a business plan template?
The Big No In E2 Investor Visa Business Plan
Although a business plan template is readily available, relying solely on immigration business plan templates carries significant risks. While they can serve as a reference point, they cannot provide the necessary guidance to create a comprehensive and persuasive plan. These templates can result in wasted time and money and potential rejection of your application. The solution is to work with experienced professionals who can tailor your business plan to your specific needs. At E2VisaFranchises.com, we bring your plan to life, reflecting your business in the best possible light and increasing your chances of a successful visa application. Consult today to learn more.
Common Challenges Faced By E2 Visa Applicants
How to overcome those challenges?
E2 visa applicants often face various challenges throughout the application process. Some of the common challenges include:
Proving that the investment is substantial: The E2 visa requires a significant investment of capital, and proving that the investment meets this requirement can be challenging. Also, the investment is not purely marginal. To be considered “substantial,” the investment must be significant enough to ensure the successful operation of the business. This is usually determined by looking at the total cost of establishing or acquiring the business and the amount of money the applicant is putting at risk.
Demonstrating that the business is viable: E2 visa applicants must show their business will succeed and contribute to the US economy. This means that the business must have the capacity to generate more than enough income to support the investor and their family and that it has the potential to create jobs for US workers.
Meeting the employee hiring requirements: E2 visa applicants must create jobs for US workers, which can be challenging in certain industries or geographic locations.
To overcome these challenges, E2 visa applicants can employ several strategies, including:
Working with experienced professionals: An immigration attorney or consultant can help E2 visa applicants navigate the application process and address any challenges that arise.
Conducting thorough research: E2 visa applicants should conduct extensive research on their business idea, the market, and the US economy to ensure they have a comprehensive understanding of the investment and its viability.
Developing a strong business plan: As mentioned earlier, a well-prepared and comprehensive business plan can be crucial to the success of the E2 visa application. The business plan should outline the investment, the viability of the business, and the job creation potential.
By anticipating these challenges and employing the right strategies, E2 investor visa applicants can increase their chances of a successful application.
How to navigate E2 visa refusal?
What should you do in a refusal situation?
Dealing with the refusal of an E2 visa application can be a stressful and frustrating experience. However, there are steps that you can take to help navigate this situation:
Understand the reason for the refusal: Your first step should be to carefully read and comprehend the grounds for the visa refusal. Doing so will assist you in identifying any issues with your application and rectifying them before reapplying.
Consider seeking advice from an immigration consultant: Consulting with an experienced immigration consultant can help you to comprehend the reasons for the refusal and offer guidance on how to address them.
Gather additional evidence: If the visa refusal was due to lacking evidence or information, consider gathering additional evidence to support your application. This may include financial statements, business plans, market research, and other relevant documents.
Address any issues with your business plan: If your business plan was a factor in the refusal, consider revising it and addressing any identified issues.
Consider reapplying: If you believe you have addressed the issues that led to the refusal, you may want to consider reapplying for the E2 visa. However, it’s essential to ensure that your new application addresses the reasons for the previous refusal.
Remember that each case is unique, and the best course of action depends on your circumstances. Therefore, weighing your options carefully and seeking professional advice if necessary is important.
How to extend your E2 investor visa?
The Two Methods Of Extention
There are two ways to extend your E2 investor visa:
Leave the United States and re-enter the country. Upon your return, your visa will be automatically extended for two years.
Submit an extension request to the USCIS while in the US. This involves filing a new I-129 petition, I-539 form, and other necessary E-2 visa extension documents.
Get the best expert guidance and assistance for your E2 visa and find the best franchise for your US investment. Contact us today.
