E visa USA Lawyer
Our Houston immigration attorneys provide high-quality and proficient legal counsel for foreign nationals. Our board-certified immigration attorney in Houston, Texas, Adan Vega, has decades of US immigration law experience. If you are seeking legal advice from a highly recommended Houston E visa lawyer call 713-527-9606 to learn more about the requirements, procedures, and strategies.
E1 and E2 Visa Lawyer
Treaties negotiated between the U.S. and other countries provide the legal authorization which may be issued in two (2) main categories, E-1 for traders and E-2 for investors.
The E-1 visa allows a foreign national to enter the U.S. solely to carry on the trade of a substantial nature and engage in trade principally between the U.S. and the treaty country of which the applicant is a national.
The E-2 visa allows a foreign national to invest a substantial amount of money and capital into a U.S. enterprise and enter the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise. It is based upon a treaty between the U.S. and the country of which the applicant is a national. Our investment and business immigration attorneys in Houston, TX have over 40 years of experience and knowledge in US immigration law and will be able to answer all of your questions.
The E visas facilitate investment in U.S. businesses and create jobs for workers. Each type comes with various requirements and restrictions based upon the treaties in place. However, these visas provide greater opportunities for a lower investment than the EB-5 immigrant investor visa. E visas are generally unlimited in the number of times they can be extended and over time and can open a path to permanent resident status with proper legal planning. For more questions get in touch with E visas lawyer Houston, TX – Adan Vega.
E Visa Attorney in Houston, TX
If you are a foreign national seeking to buy a business or engage in substantial business or trade in the United States, we recommend that you obtain experienced legal counsel before filing any applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa
The E-1 trader visa is available to enterprises engaged in trade with the United States. The trade must be “substantial”, principally between the US and the treaty country, and the employee or principal trader entering the USA must serve the company in either a managerial or executive position or is performing some “essential skills” in the company. The term “trade” is defined as including the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods having intrinsic value and/or services. Trading in services is permissible but establishing the existence of such trade through documentary evidence is more difficult.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
The E-2 investor visa is available to nationals of the treaty country who are engaging in investment activities in the U.S. The investor must show that he or she has either made an investment in the U.S. business or is actively in the process. The funds must be committed and personally at risk in order to qualify and the business must be an active and substantial investment. Holding stocks and undeveloped land and/or depositing funds in a bank account would not qualify as an active investment as they do not involve the operation of an active business.
Visa Requirements for Canadians/Mexicans
While Canadians are exempt for most categories, §212.1 (1) of the immigration regulations specifically requires any alien seeking admission as a treaty trader or investor under the provisions of NAFTA must be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa issued by an American consular officer classifying the alien under that section. Certain U.S. consulates in Canada are currently issuing E visas. Mexicans may apply for the E visa if only at the U.S. consulates in Mexico designated by the U.S. State Department.
E-1 & E-2 visa processing time
These visas are generally valid for a period of five (5) years or less depending on the reciprocity schedule published by the U.S. State Department at www.travel.state.gov. The maximum duration permitted will depend upon the nationality of the alien. This maximum period allowed for each nationality can be determined by referring to the “Reciprocity Schedules” contained in the Foreign Affairs Manual. For example, the maximum duration for Canadian citizens is 60 months, or five (5) years. It is important to remember that a consular officer may choose to grant it for a shorter period.
There is no limit on the number of extensions allowed under this category. While dual intent is statutorily recognized only for H-1 and L non-immigrants, in practice, dual intent is recognized for E non-immigrants as well.
E-2 applications made at the U.S. consulates in Mexico and Canada require a processing period that varies from post to post.
Immigration Attorney Houston, TX
Our Houston immigration attorneys represent clients worldwide and offer consultations with an experienced Board-Certified immigration lawyer, either by telephone or in-person. To schedule an appointment to talk with one of our experienced immigration attorneys in Houston, call 713.527.9606 or contact us online.