Bucklt

E-2 VISA to Arizona.

I am planning on moving to Arizona next year under the E-2 visa
(Investor) catagory.My home here in UK is at present up for sale.

I would welcome comments from anyone familiar with this method of entry
to the USA, and would appreciate hearing of your experiences etc.Thank
you. Tony.

Weiser

I think you need to find a business to buy before you can apply for
an E-2 visa

Bucklt

Originally posted by weiser

    > I think you need to find a business to buy before you can apply for an
    > E-2 visa



Thank you.

Am aware of that point and already have one or two types of
business in mind.

Weiser

sorry I may have come across abit ignorant, wasn't meant to. I am myself
wanting to go over to the US with an E-2 visa as well

Bucklt

Originally posted by weiser

    > sorry I may have come across abit ignorant, wasn't meant to. I am
    > myself wanting to go over to the US with an E-2 visa as well



No problem.

Thank's for responding to my 'post' in the first place.



I have no objections if you want to contact me directly such that we can
discuss this issue much further.

Feel free to do so.

Weiser

sent you a Private message

Weiser

ok sent you an email instead

Bucklt

Originally posted by weiser

    > ok sent you an email instead



Up-date on web searching for data concerning E-2 visas.

1. Only applies to citizens from about 40 countries.

2. Need to invest $50-100k.Different sites give different amounts.

3.Initial visa valid for 1 or 2 years.Some say up to 5 years.Confused on
this point.

4.Family can go with you but kids need to re-apply once they
reach 21 years.

5.Fees vary substantially.Quoted £3000 from London (+£1000 extra if I
want results in 14 days).Various lawyers in Arizona have quoted
figures between $3000-5200 (+$1000 extra for results in 14 days).

6.Some sites say you need to employ 2 locals.Some sites say you need to
demonstrate via business plan possibility of employing locals and
others make no mention of this requirement.Am confused.

7.Application would appear to take 10-12 weeks to process before you
have answer.Paying extra will get you earlier indication as to your
chances of success.

8.Made contact with Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA)and they
passed my details to their members.Have had 2 responses soo far.One
from a Brit wou went out there 20 years ago.Can act as my
lawyer/accountant and knows someone who can process my E-2/and get me
a mortgage.Someone else is due to contact me next week so I can
compare costs/service etc between thes two people.



General impressions so far.

The E-2 visa appears to be very flexible in it's requirements with
emphasis on overall business plan.

ASBA have been extremely helpfull and I suggest you contact the
equivalent in your city of choice.

Fees vary enormously.Shop around and haggle.One lawyer dropped his fee
when I told him what others are charging.

Weiser

1. countries with a treaty with the US can apply



2. The recommended amount is you invest at least $100K although some E-2
visa have been given for investing less than that amount. The lower
the investment figure the higher the percentage of the business price
you must invest



3. Initial visa valid is for 2 years, after 2 years if you business is
still running (in profit) they renew it with a 5 year visa and you
have to apply every 5 years after that etc



4. once kids turn 21 years they have to apply for a visa to stay in the
country on their own merit



5. those fees are similar to what I have also been quoted



6. you have to employ american citizens, how many depends on your
business and how much you invested and area you invest in, thats
how I see it



7. 12 weeks is what I have been quoted but if they decide you need to be
security cleared then it would take longer, which in my case is what
will happen but I am trying to avoid that



For me what the lawyers charge is not as important as getting hold of a
good experienced lawyer to prepare your case, if your case is not
prepared properly you will be refused visa and I have known cases
whereby the visa was refused

Bucklt

Originally posted by weiser

    > 1. countries with a treaty with the US can apply


    > 2. The recommended amount is you invest at least $100K although some
    > E-2 visa have been given for investing less than that amount. The
    > lower the investment figure the higher the percentage of the
    > business price you must invest


    > 3. Initial visa valid is for 2 years, after 2 years if you business is
    > still running (in profit) they renew it with a 5 year visa and you
    > have to apply every 5 years after that etc


    > 4. once kids turn 21 years they have to apply for a visa to stay in
    > the country on their own merit


    > 5. those fees are similar to what I have also been quoted


    > 6. you have to employ american citizens, how many depends on your
    > business and how much you invested and area you invest in, thats
    > how I see it


    > 7. 12 weeks is what I have been quoted but if they decide you need to
    > be security cleared then it would take longer, which in my case is
    > what will happen but I am trying to avoid that


    > For me what the lawyers charge is not as important as getting hold of
    > a good experienced lawyer to prepare your case, if your case is not
    > prepared properly you will be refused visa and I have known cases
    > whereby the visa was refused





Thanks Weiser.

Such feedback is always welcome as only in this way can we begin to see
thru the 'fog'.



Am still not certain as to minimum amount one has to invest(based on
100% cost of business).Would like to see official government thoughts on
this particular point.Reading between the lines (at this stage) I reckon
you can make a go of it with 100% purchase at c$75k.



Thanks for clarifying Visa validity period.Makes sense now.Clearly, it's
vital to show good growth/profit (potential for growth/profit)during the
first 2 years - or else your shown the door.Buy established business
with very good track record over the last 5 years or so.



Even though I am a single applicant (no family to worry about), I
decided to mention the regs regarding kids as those with families need
to be very aware of it.



As regards fees; I wonder if I could get even lower fees if I went via a
lawyer in Miami/Florida (appears to be most popular target for E-2
applicants).Competition amongst lawyers must be quiet intense there - or
is this wishfull thinking on my part.best to stay with 'local' one who
knows the territory well.



Totally agree with you reference selection of right lawyer.Have noted
that business brokers and franchise operators offer to do business with
E-2 applicants.Clearly, it is in their interests to put you in touch
with lawyer who has a high success rate in processing these
applications.May be good way of finding right lawyer i.e find people
you want to buy business from first and then ask them to point you to
right lawyer.



Am still open regarding employment of local citizens.Would like to see
official government thoughts on that one.



You clearly have your own reasons to avoid security clearance, but I
would strongly advise you against that route.These things can have a
habit of catching up with you when you least expect it.