The E-2 Visa allows foreign investors and their immediate family to reside in the United States to develop and direct a commercial enterprise. In order to qualify for the E-2 status, all applicants must meet certain criteria.
Although many questions may arise when considering applying for this or any U.S. Visa, applicants usually have one major concern: “how long it will take to obtain the visa?”
The answer to that question depends on two factors. First, you must consider the amount of time needed to gather the required information, identify the E-2 investment, create a business plan, and take the steps to make the substantial investment necessary to apply. In addition to this, you need to consider the length of time it takes the government to approve or deny a petition for an E-2 Visa, which generally depends on the way the application is submitted.
There are two ways to apply for an E-2 Visa:
- Through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in cases where applicants request a change of status while residing in the United States, or
- Through a U.S. Consulate, in cases where applicants apply for the E-2 Visa while rising outside of the United States.
Typically, applying from a foreign country through a U.S. Consulate takes longer than applying for a change of status if you are already in the United States under a different visa category.
Preparing the E-2 Visa Application
Before filing an E-2 Visa application, both the applicant and his or her attorney must do their homework to ensure the application is solid and in its best possible shape. To qualify for the E-2 status, every applicant must:
- Be a citizen of a country that maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States;
- Make a substantial investment in a new or existing business in the United States,
- Invest in a business that is real, operating (or close to commencing operations), and non-marginal; and
- Develop and direct the E-2 business.
When you work collaboratively with an experienced immigration attorney, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to gather the necessary documentation and prepare the E-2 Visa application, depending on the business and your unique needs and goals.
At Jurado & Associates, P.A., our business immigration experts always make sure to create a strategy that allows you to prepare and file your E-2 Visa application within the lowest possible amount of time without reducing your chances of approval.
Filing for Change of Status
Applicants who are present in the United States can file their E-2 Visa applications directly with the USCIS. Typically, the E-2 application review process will take approximately five months on average. However, this time could increase or decrease based on a number of factors.
When filing an application for change of status, applicants have the option of Premium Processing, which requires a fee of $1,225. If you choose premium processing, your application will be reviewed and your change of status either approved or denied within only fifteen days.
The U.S. Consulate Process
The majority of E-2 Visa applicants are based at their home countries at the time of filing their applications, which means their only route is submitting their application through a U.S. Consulate. The processing time to obtain an E-2 Visa varies depending on the country and it can be anywhere from two weeks to four months.
After an initial review of the application is completed, the Consulate will then set up an in-person interview with the applicant. If approved, it may take up to a week for your E-2 Visa to be issued on your passport.
Save Precious Time – Hire an E-2 Visa Attorney from Jurado & Associates, P.A.
While the amount of time required to obtain an E-2 Visa varies greatly and depends on your particular circumstances, needs, goals, and many other factors, our experienced E-2 Visa Attorneys can assist you through each step of the E-2 Visa application process.
To schedule an initial consultation, call us at (305) 921-0976 or send us an email to [email protected]. Let us add you to our ever-growing list of satisfied clients!
