What is an E-2 visa? The E-2 visa, issued following the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1952, refers to the "Treaty Investor Visa." It is a long-term, renewable non-immigrant work visa. Investors must be citizens of one of the dozens of countries that have signed special commercial treaties with the United States.
What are the advantages of an E-2 visa?
For those who wish to quickly start a business or work in the United States, or for those whose children wish to study in the U.S. as soon as possible, the E-2 visa may be the best choice. E-2 visa applications can be submitted and processed at any time, allowing applicants and their accompanying family members to travel to the United States to conduct business, work, live, and study. E-2 visa applicants generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their place of permanent residence, and the process from application to issuance takes only three months.
The initial E-2 visa is generally valid for 5 years and can be renewed upon expiration, allowing for long-term residence in the United States during the visa's validity period.
E-2 visa holders can enjoy the same medical and educational benefits as green card holders, without being subject to U.S. global taxation.
Children holding E-2 dependent visas can enjoy the same educational benefits as U.S. citizens and residents in many parts of the United States. Children are entitled to the same enrollment treatment as Americans, including free public schools and discounted private schools.
How to transition from an E-2 visa to a green card?
Existing U.S. law stipulates that the E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa and cannot be directly converted into a green card. If the project invested in by an E-2 visa holder also meets the requirements for an investment visa (an investment amount of $500,000 and the creation of 10 full-time jobs), they can obtain a green card through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
If an E-2 applicant also meets the requirements for an Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager visa (L-1), they may apply for an L-1 to obtain a green card. In this light, the proposal by Florida Representative John Rutherford is a favorable policy for investors who wish to realize their American Dream as soon as possible.