Visas for Investors

E1 Investor Visa

This visa allows foreign investors and citizens of countries with which the United States has a trade treaty to enter the United States to conduct high-level business, mainly between the United States and the investor’s home country. The business to be established in the United States should be of international trade exchange between the United States and a trade treaty country. Spouses of people who have an E-1 visa are also eligible to work legally in the US. The initial term of this status is for a period of 2 years, with the right to be renewed.

E2 Investor Visa

Individuals wishing to invest in the US could obtain the E-2 visa from the Investment treaty. The applicant must be a citizen of a country that maintains an investment treaty with the United States. The applicant’s intention to enter the United States must be to develop and direct the operations of a company in which he has invested, or is in the process of investing a considerable amount of capital.

One of the most important requirements to apply for this visa is that the investor must come to the United States to develop and direct the operations of the company in which he or she has made the investment. The applicant must be the owner of more than fifty percent (50%) of the shares of the company, unless the applicant comes as an employee of the company.

Spouses of people who have an E-2 visa are also eligible to accept employment in the US. Generally, holders of the E-2 visa are admitted for a period of 2 years, with the right to be renewed.

The Immigration Department does not have a visa issuance limit in categories E1 and E2.

OBTAINING THE RESIDENT CARD THROUGH INVESTMENT (E-B5)

This status (EB-5) is intended for investors with the intention of attracting foreign capital to the United States while in the process creating jobs for US workers. This investment process is a direct step towards obtaining a permanent residence in the United States, along with the immediate family spouses and children.

3 basic requirements exists for obtaining this status in the United States:

  1. The applicant for this Visa must establish a business or invest in an existing business that has been created or restructured after November 19, 1990.
  2. The applicant for this Visa must invest $ 1 million dollars (or $ 500,000 dollars as the case may be) in the business.
  3. The business established in the United States must generate full-time employment for at least 10 workers who may be US citizens, legally recognized permanent residents, or other legally authorized immigrants who have obtained employment in the United States.

Investments in these visas can be made in cash, inventory, equipment, tangible assets, money equivalents and secured indebtedness by assets owned by the foreigner, as long as it is primarily and personally responsible to the law and the assets of the new commercial establishment are not used to secure that debt. The definition expressly excludes capital acquired illegally.

Applicants can invest alone, can create the business with another immigrant investor, or even create the business with US citizens or other people who do not necessarily seek to appear as foreign investors.