Treaty Trader - E-1 Visa
Treaty Investor - E-2 Visa
Description
The E visa category was designed to give effect to trade and investment
treaties between the U.S. and foreign nations providing reciprocal benefits
to the nationals the nations signing the treaties; in this way, facilitating
commercial interaction between the U.S. and treaty countries.
It allows investors making a substantial investment in the U.S. (see
below definition of "substantial" for investment purposes); or business
owners, managers, and employees of an enterprise conducting trade between
the U.S. and a treaty nation, who need to remain in the U.S. for extended
periods of time to supervise work performed in the U.S., to be able to
live and work lawfully.
There is currently a premium
processing option, which for an additional $1,000 in filing fees,
the US Immigration Service will commit to process the application within
15 calendar days from receipt of the application. Processing the application
does not mean that there will necessarily be a final decision after 15
days, but that there will be a response after this time. This response
may be a visa approval, a denial or it may also include a request for
additional documentation from the petitioner or the employer. Click here for more information on premium processing
Who Is Eligible
For the E-1 Treaty Trader visa:
Aliens who are citizens of a nation that has signed a trade and investment
treaty with the U.S., who are coming to the United States:
- Solely to carry on or engage in substantial trade between his/her
country and the U.S., including trade in services or trade in technology.
- Principally between the United States and the foreign state of which
the alien is a national.
"Substantial" with reference to trade means a continuous
exchange of goods and services between the U.S. and the treaty nation
of the alien applicant, involving numerous transactions that began prior
to the filing of the E-1 application. Trade principally between the U.S. and the foreign state means that at least 50% of the
total amount of trade conducted by the alien or his/her enterprise or
employer must be between the U.S. and the treaty nation.
For the E-2 Treaty Investor visa:
Aliens who are citizens of a nation that has signed a trade and investment
with the U.S., who are coming to the United States:
- solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which
he/she has invested; or
- solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which
he/she is actively in the process of investing a substantial amount
of capital; or
- as an employee who will perform services that require special qualifications
essential to the operations of the treaty investor's enterprise, who
has the same nationality as the treaty investor employer or the nationals
owning at lest 50% of the enterprise, who must be under treaty investor
status if residing in the U.S.; and
- showing an intention to depart from the United States upon the termination
of his or her status.
The definition of "Substantial" with reference to investment is at the
discretion of the Secretary of State. However, in exercising this discretion,
the Secretary of State conducts a "Relative Proportionality Test" as a
guideline.
Through this test, they asses whether: 1) the value of the investment
is substantial as a percentage of the fair market value of the enterprise,
or 2) whether the value of the investment is substantial as a percentage
of the capital usually required to establish the specified type of business
in the specified industry, as per the visa application.
In addition, the investment enterprise must not be "marginal", meaning
it must have the capacity in the present or future to provide income more
than a living wage to the investor and his/her family.
Although each case is evaluated individually by the State Department,
generally the following rules apply in terms of minimum investment expectations:
1. For investment enterprises valued at less than $500,000
- A minimum
of 75% of the total value of the enterprise or for small to medium
sized; businesses, more than half of
the value of the business
- Exceptions
may be made for certain start-ups and service businesses, where smaller initial investments may be
appropriate depending on the particulars of the type
of business
2. For investment enterprises valued between $500,000 and $3 million
- A minimum
of 50% of the value of the business or a flat $1,000,000 is expected
to be invested
- The State
Department may make an exception if it can be demonstrated that
in the specified industry, it is common
practice to start a business with less than 50% of the
value of the enterprise.
3. For investment enterprises valued at over $3 million
- A minimum
of 30% of the value of the business or a flat $1,000,000 is expected
to be invested
All of the following three elements must exist for the E visa to be obtainable:
- There must be a treaty between the U.S. and the country
of the company or national applying for the visa
- The majority ownership or control of the enterprise engaged in
trade or investment with the U.S. must be held by nationals from
the country which has signed a trade/investment treaty with the
U.S.
- Each employee or principal seeking E status must hold citizenship
of the country, which has signed a trade/investment treaty with
the U.S.
Visa Duration
The initial statutory limitation on the period of stay for an alien with
an E-1 or E-2 can be no longer than two years. (Note: It is not uncommon
for the U.S. Consulate to issue an E-1 or E-2 visa for five years).
Renewability
The initial visa period can be extended indefinitely as long as the alien
affirms that he/she will not remain in the U.S. after this period, including
extensions, ends.
Family Benefits
The spouse and unmarried children
under 21 of treaty trader or treaty investor aliens qualify for the same
status as the principal alien, and their nationality is not relevant to
their qualification. They can live and study in the U.S. without any additional
permits. The spouse of the visa holder may obtain authorization
to work in the U.S.
What Documents Do I Need?
To apply for either visa the alien must provide the following documentation:
For the E-1 Treaty Trader visa:
1. A statement describing in detail the nature and function of the
business and the alien's position
2. Documents demonstrating the continued trade between the United
States and the country of the applicant's nationality, including
any of the following as available:
- trade invoices
- sales reports
- shipping records
or bills of landing
- summary or audits
of international accounts and trade transactions
- company financial
statements
- articles of
incorporation
- import/export
licenses
- bank statements
- annual report
- tax documentation,
etc.
3. An affidavit stating the unequivocal intent that the applicant
will depart the United States when the E status ends
4. A copy of passport for all applicants
5. A copy of the birth certificates and marriage certificate to
support all secondary applications
6. A copy of U.S. Visa and Form I-94 (if aliens are already in the
U.S.) for all applicants
7. If alien is an employee of treaty trade enterprise, then evidence
of position including, organizational chart, job description, and
evidence of recruitment efforts made by the enterprise
For the E-2 Treaty Investor visa:
1. A business plan stating in detail the nature and function of
the business, the necessary initial investment, and employment projections,
including any of the following as available:
- property or real estate costs
- cost of materials
- cost of employee wages
- cost of legal, professional fee, and/or licensing fees
- asset purchase and sale agreements
- mortgage or loan agreements
- contracts or letters of understanding between the treaty enterprise and customers and/or suppliers
- articles of incorporation
- financial statements
Note: for small enterprises we may be able to help in the creation of
some of these formal documents if provided with certain information and
preliminary documentation
- A comprehensive letter addressed to the US Immigration Service stating
the extent of the principal alien's participation in the investment
- A statement of the applicant's unequivocal intent to depart the United
States when E status ends.
- A copy of the investment's most recent financial statement;
- A copy of passport for all applicants;
- A copy of the birth certificates and marriage certificate to support
all secondary applications; and
- A copy of U.S. Visa and Form I-94 (if aliens are already in the U.S.)
for all applicants
- If alien is an employee of treaty investment enterprise, then evidence
of position including, organizational chart, job description, and evidence
of recruitment efforts made by the enterprise
What is the Process Like?
There are three stages in the process.
Stage One:
Preparation of Documentation including:
- Organization of business (if required)
- Business Plan preparation or adaptation for visa purposes
- Preparation of supporting documentation
Time required depends on availability and delivery of documents and overall
level of involvement of client
Stage Two:
Preparation and filing of visa application-I-129 and I-129 E
supplements
(Time requirements are approximately 15 days from the day all documentation
is ready)
Stage Three:
The US Immigration Service approval of visa application or receipt
of notice requesting additional documentation or evidence to support application.
In the latter case, we will work with the client to provide the additional
information to the US Immigration Service and we will prepare a response
with the appropriate analysis and legal argument. This last scenario
would increase the amount of time required to complete the process and
may also increase the legal fees due, depending on the amount of additional
work required.
(Adjudication of visa is approximately 120 to 150 days from filing of
application with the US Immigration Service, depending on the center's
caseload)
What are the BCIS Filing Fees?
Fee for (I-129), plus $1,000 if we will be requesting premium processing. Click below links to verify the US Immigration Service fees as these change regularly:
http://www.uscis.gov/forms
http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/G-1055.pdf
What are the Legal Fees?
Click here to learn more about our fee
structure.
Click here if you would like to come
in for a free initial consultation.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Department of State visa services:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
The US Immigration Service on investor (E) visas:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/investment.htm
Premium or fast processing for E visas:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f61417654
3f6d1a/?vgnextoid=ebaf0c594dafd010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextc
hannel=54519c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
Revalidating investor (E) visas:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1273.html
Links to U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide:
http://travel.state.gov/family/abduction/Solutions/Solutions_3861.html
|
