Enterline & Partners Consulting | info@enterlinepartners.com

Search
Close this search box.

Enterline and Partners Obtains E-2 Approval Based on an Investment of US$70,000

Enterline and Partners recently obtained an approval for a Philippine client based on his investment of US$70,000 into a new business in the United States.  This is a relatively small investment for an E-2 Treaty Investor visa and demonstrates that a “totality of the evidence and the business” is very important in whether an E-2 investor can obtain the visa.

The E-2 Treaty Investor visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States to invest in and manage a business. To qualify for an E-2 visa, the investor must be a citizen of a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States, and must make a “substantial investment” in a U.S. enterprise.

Requirements for the E-2 Visa

To be eligible for an E-2 visa, the investor must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Citizenship: The investor must be a citizen of a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. A list of eligible countries can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.
  2. Investment: The investor must have invested or be actively in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. enterprise.
  3. Marginal Investment: The investment must be more than a marginal investment, meaning that it should be sufficient to ensure the investor’s financial commitment to the success of the enterprise, and it should generate more than just enough income to support the investor and family in the United States.
  4. Ownership and Control: The investor must own at least 50% of the enterprise and have operational control of the enterprise.
  5. Business Purpose: The enterprise must be a real and active commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking, producing services or goods for profit. It cannot be a passive investment, such as a stock portfolio or real estate held for investment purposes.
  6. Ability to Direct and Develop the Business:  The investor must be able to demonstrate that he or she has the ability to direct and develop the business to become successful.
  7. Intent to Depart: The investor must have the intent to depart the U.S. when his or her E-2 visa expires or is terminated.

Substantial Investment Requirement

The “substantial investment” requirement is one of the most important criteria for the E-2 visa. It is intended to ensure that the investor has a significant financial stake in the U.S. enterprise and is committed to its success.

The amount of capital required to make a “substantial investment” varies depending on the nature, size, and location of the enterprise. There is no minimum investment amount set by the U.S. law.  The investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of the enterprise if purchased, or the cost to open and develop a new business.  The geographic location of the business is also an important factor as costs may vary considerably from one location to another. Generally, the investment should be large enough to create a viable business that will provide employment and contribute to the U.S. economy within just a few years.

The investment can take many forms, including cash, equipment, inventory, and other tangible assets. It can also include the value of intangible assets such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. However, the investment cannot be speculative, and it must be at risk, meaning that there is a real possibility of loss if the enterprise fails.

The investor must also demonstrate that the funds used for the investment were obtained from a legitimate source. This can be done by providing financial documents such as tax returns, bank statements, and business records. The investor must also demonstrate that the investment funds were not obtained through illegal means, such as money laundering or the sale of illegal drugs.

The Enterline and Partner’s Client

Many prospective E-2 investors want to set up a business in the U.S. with the intent of going to the U.S. immediately to begin operations.  Such a “start-up” business can qualify an E-2 investor for the visa, but will have much higher scrutiny by the interviewing consular officer who will want to ensure that the investor meets the requirements, has made a substantial enough investment, and has the ability to direct and develop a successful business.

In this case, our client had invested US$70,000 with a partner who contributed US$30,000, and with the help of the local partner, began operating the business remotely in the fall of 2020.  By the time of his interview, the business had been operating for 15 months and had generated over $200,000 in gross income and employed two U.S. workers.  The viability of the business was already proven; it had income to cover its expenses and payroll and even provided some net income to the client.  He was eager to be in the U.S. on the E-2 visa to further develop and grow the business.

It is important to note that an E-2 investor is unlikely to be approved for such a low investment in a start-up business, although every situation is different.  This example demonstrates the value of operating a business for a period of time before applying for the E-2 visa.

The E-2 Treaty Investor visa is a popular option for foreign nationals who wish to invest in and manage a business in the United States. If you are considering applying for an E-2 visa, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria and to guide you through the application process.

For more information, contact us at info@enterlinepartners.com and speak with an experienced U.S. immigration lawyer in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Taipei.

ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office

Suite 601, 6th Floor, Saigon Tower
29 Le Duan Street
Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tel: +84 933 301 488

Email: info@enterlinepartners.com

Facebook: Enterline & Partners – Dịch vụ Thị thực và Định cư Hoa Kỳ

YouTube: @EnterlineAndPartnersConsulting

Website: http://enterlinepartners.com

Manila, Philippines Office

LKG Tower 37th Floor
6801 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines 1226

Tel: +63 917 543 7926

Email: info@enterlinepartners.com

Facebook: Enterline and Partners Philippines

Website: https://enterlinepartners.com/language/en/welcome/

Copyright 2023. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.

CATEGORY
time
recent posts
CTA_Collection

Over 18,000 successful customers with Enterline &
Partners, realizing the dream of immigration

Latest News

Federal Lawsuit Filed Immediately Following Trump’s Executive Order Ending Birthright Citizenship

Less than 2 hours after President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order (“EO”) attempting to end birthright citizenship, immigrant advocates started to file lawsuits in Federal Court attempting to block Trump’s Executive Order. The first lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Federal District Court of New Hampshire  on behalf of a group representing Indonesian migrants in the State. It was signed by a total of twenty-six (26) attorneys representing the American Civil Liberties Union, State Democracy Defends Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Endowment Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens and Make the Road New York as plaintiffs. Following New Hampshire, more than two dozen additional lawsuits were filed against the EO in Federal District Courts contending that the EO violates the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, U.S. Supreme Court precedent since 1898 (United States v. Wong Kim Ark), as well as federal law which has been practiced

Read more >

Can My Fiance Work in the U.S. After Arriving on a K-1 Visa?

One your fiance arrives in the United States on a K-1 visa and you are married within ninety (90) days upon arrival, you and your fiance will need to file for adjustment of status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) in order to convert the K-1 fiance nonimmigrant visa status to lawful permanent resident status. As part of the adjustment process, applicants have the option of filing a Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/ Departure Records with their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Approval of the Form I-131 will result in Advance Parole allowing for international travel while waiting for USCIS to approve the Form I-485. Applicants also have the option to file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (“EAD”) while USCIS adjudicates the adjustment application. Once the EAD is approved, they will have valid status and

Read more >

What is the Four Month Validity Period of an Approved I-129F Petition for a K-1 Visa?

Once the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) approves an I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé, the foreign fiancé typically has four (4) months to apply for a K-1 fiancé visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. However, due to the time that it takes for an approved petition to be sent and received by the National Visa Center and then forwarded to the foreign fiancé’s embassy or consulate where he/she will undergo a visa interview, petition revalidation is possible. While the interviewing consular officer will often automatically revalidate an expired petition, demonstrating ongoing intent that the U.S. citizen and foreign fiancé intend to marry within ninety (90) days upon the foreign fiancé’s arrival in the United States may be requested. The rationale behind requesting updated documentation showing continued marital intent is to ensure that the couple’s bona-fide relationship remains current and genuine. It further helps to reduce prolonged processing

Read more >
Vietnam
icons8-exercise-96 chat-active-icon