If your an entrepreneur in Canada (or another country with a tyrannical government) who wants to live and work in the United States, the E-2 treaty visa may be the “freedom” visa you need. It typically requires an investment of at least $100,000 USD in a business that you own and manage in the US, but that’s a lot less than most people think. Citizens from other treaty countries are eligible too.
Don’t have at least $100,000 to invest and don’t mind working for someone else? Well then, if you’re a Canadian or Mexican citizen, the TN visa might be your best bet for a freedom visa.
If you’d like to learn more about the E 2 or TN Freedom Visa, schedule a consultation with us at www.bovinolawgroup.com or contact attorney Joe Bovino directly at joe@bovinolawgroup.com or via text or WhatsApp at +1 310 425 9933.
We look forward to hearing from you and clearing a path to your American Dream!
How To Get an E-2 Visa
An E-2 Visa or E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows citizens or nationals of more than 30 treaty countries to enter the United States. The main requirement for this type of visa is to have a substantial investment in a bona fide enterprise.
Canadian entrepreneurs can use this opportunity to move to the United States and begin a business with just a few hundred thousand dollars. The applicant can invest in any type of business as long as it offers tangible goods or services, such as retail shops and restaurants.
Aside from Canada, here are some of the other countries with trade treaties with the United States, allowing their entrepreneurs to be qualified for an E-2 Visa:
- Australia
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Colombia
- Panama
- Chile
- Netherlands
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- United Kingdom
What You Need To Know About E-2 Visas
To qualify for an E-2 visa it is important that the applicant is actively participating in the business they have established or bought. If they only have a passive investment, like real estate or stocks, chances are they will most likely be denied. It doesn’t matter what type of business the applicant sets up as long as the main objective is to get to the United States to manage and watch over its operations.
There is no law stating how much investment an applicant should put up to qualify for an E-2 visa. What is important is that the amount they invest is substantial to ensure the successful operation of the business. However, experts suggest that applicants should put up at least US$100,000–US$200,000 to secure higher chances of approval.
Benefits of an E-2 Visa
- It can last a lifetime: The validity of an E-2 visa is only five years. However, E-2 visa holders can renew them indefinitely as long as their E-2 business remains operational in the United States.
- Your spouse will be eligible to work in the U.S.: All spouses of E-2 Visa holders can work anywhere they want in the country. They can work under the E-2 business of their spouses or they can opt to find a career in a different organization.
- Sponsor employees from your home country: If the E-2 visa holder used to operate a business in their home country and already has specialized employees that they can rely on, they can sponsor them to work for their E-2 business in the United States.
- You can go in and out of the U.S. freely: E-2 visa holders and their dependents can travel in and out of the country whenever they want. They can even stay out of the country for however long they want as long as the E-2 business remains operational.
What Is an Alternative to the E-2 Visa?
Canadians who want to move to the United States but do not have substantial capital to start a business can apply for a TN Freedom Visa. It is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows Canadians to move and work in the United States temporarily.
However, to qualify for a TN visa you need to find a job that is included in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) list. You also need to secure a job in the United States before applying for a TN visa. Moreover, applicants must also demonstrate the intent of returning to Canada after the visa expires. Some of the people who qualify for a TN visa are those working as teachers, engineers, and scientists.
How To Get an E-2 Visa
The E-2 visa application process can be a complicated and exhausting procedure. The length of the process varies depending on whether the applicant is applying inside the United States or from their home country. In most cases, it can take around six months to complete.
To apply for an E-2 visa, the applicant needs to fill out an I-129 form for non-immigrant workers. After submitting the application, they must wait for the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy to get in touch with them. The consulate or embassy will set a one-on-one consular with the applicant to determine whether they are qualified for an E-2 visa. The interviewer will ask a series of questions about the applicant’s background, their business, and why they plan to enter the United States.
To ensure that everything goes as planned and all efforts and money don’t go to waste, it is recommended that anyone applying for an E-2 visa consult a lawyer. After showing interest in investing hundreds of thousands of dollars just to get this visa, an applicant should only expect the success of the application process. With the guidance of an experienced lawyer, an applicant will be able to comply with all of the relevant regulations and requirements — increasing their chances of approval.
Legal Assistance in Getting Your E-2 Visa
Getting your E-2 visa and making sure that it’s approved fast can be a complex task. To ensure that everything works out fine, consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in helping clients get fast E-2 visa approval.
To learn more about the E-2 or TN Freedom visa, you can schedule a consultation with Bovino Law Group on our website.
