E2 investor visas

has anyone had any success stories with this visa process as i'm beginning the process and looking for quidance?

The E2 visa does not lead to permanent residence - that is the most important thing to be aware of. If you have children, they willneed to get their own visa at age 21, either their own E2 (yeah, right) or an F1 foreign student visa. Children of E2 visa holders cannot get social security numbers, so they cannot work, which is a royal pain when they are in college and want a car!

I would not recommend the E2 if there is any other way to come and live in the States. EB-5 leads to green cards for the family, but requires an investment of 1/2 million dollars in a project that creates jobs in underdeveloped areas.

Be sure to consuslt an immigration attorney, and check out our website - e2visareform.org - for more information.

I've dealt with both E-2 and EB-5 investors. There are advantages and disadvantages to both - the most crucial being that EB-5 gets you a green card. However, if a green card isn't your goal, the E-2 requires a smaller investment amount. I recently wrote a blog article on the advantages and disadvantages:

Many people have been asking me whether they should apply for an E-2 treaty trader visa or an EB-5 green card. I have previously discussed each one of them in my previous posts below. There are several advantages and disadvantages to each one, which I will outline in this post. Which one is right for you depends on your specific needs and resources.

If your goal is to simply live in the United States, I would recommend an EB-5 green card through a Regional Center. An investment of $500,000.00 gets you and your family an immediate green card without the need to start up a company or to oversee operations.

If your goal is to start up your own business operation, then an E-2 visa would be ideal unless you have a significant amount of money to invest – in which case a $1 million EB-5 green card may be appropriate.

Advantages of an E-2 visa

- Renewable indefinitely

- Smaller investment than and EB-5 green card (as little as $50,000.00 to $250,000.00)

Disadvantages of an E-2 visa

- Money must be substantial and at risk

- No path to permanent residency

- Visa expires upon termination of the business

- Unable to accept income until E-2 is granted; even though you have already put the investment at risk prior to approval

Advantages of an EB-5 green card

- Immediate residency in the U.S.

- Spouse and children under 21 obtain residency under the primary applicant’s investment

- Live, work, travel, study in the United States without any restrictions

- Residency is permanent – generally no expiration

Disadvantages of an EB-5 green card

- Higher investment amount ($500,000.00 to $1 million)

- Investment tied up for extended period of time

Cedric M. Shen
U.S. Immigration Attorney
MAXIMILIAN LAW INC.
3424 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 928
Los Angeles, California 90010
(888) 228-4525 [toll free]
maxlawinc.com

thank you both for the replies. With the EB5 visa, have you heard that the min investment went down to $100,000? heard a rumour about this