As a Rhode island E-1 Visa Attorney, and E-2 Visa Lawyer
Attorney James Howe has an in depth understanding of the Rhode
Island Immigration and Naturalization Process.
The E visa category was designed to give effect to trade and
investment treaties between the U.S. and foreign nations providing
reciprocal benefits to the nationals the nations signing the
treaties; in this way, facilitating commercial interaction between
the U.S. and treaty countries.
It allows investors making a substantial investment in the U.S. (see
below definition of "substantial" for investment purposes); or
business owners, managers, and employees of an enterprise conducting
trade between the U.S. and a treaty nation, who need to remain in
the U.S. for extended periods of time to supervise work performed in
the U.S., to be able to live and work lawfully.
There is currently a premium processing option, which for an
additional $1,000 in filing fees, the US Immigration Service will
commit to process the application within 15 calendar days from
receipt of the application. Processing the application does not mean
that there will necessarily be a final decision after 15 days, but
that there will be a response after this time. This response may be
a visa approval, a denial or it may also include a request for
additional documentation from the petitioner or the employer.
For the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa:
Aliens who are citizens of a nation that has signed a trade and
investment treaty with the U.S., who are coming to the United
States:
Solely to carry on or engage in substantial trade between his/her
country and the U.S., including trade in services or trade in
technology.
Principally between the United States and the foreign state of which
the alien is a national.
"Substantial" with reference to trade means a continuous exchange of
goods and services between the U.S. and the treaty nation of the
alien applicant, involving numerous transactions that began prior to
the filing of the E-1 application. Trade principally between
the U.S. and the foreign state means that at least 50% of the total
amount of trade conducted by the alien or his/her enterprise or
employer must be between the U.S. and the treaty nation.
For the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa:
Aliens who are citizens of a nation that has signed a trade and
investment with the U.S., who are coming to the United States:
Solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in
which he/she has invested; or
Solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in
which he/she is actively in the process of investing a substantial
amount of capital; or as an employee who will perform services that
require special qualifications essential to the operations of the
treaty investor's enterprise, who has the same nationality as the
treaty investor employer or the nationals owning at lest 50% of the
enterprise, who must be under treaty investor status if residing in
the U.S.; and
showing an intention to depart from the United States upon the
termination of his or her status.
The definition of "Substantial" with reference to investment is at
the discretion of the Secretary of State. However, in exercising
this discretion, the Secretary of State conducts a "Relative
Proportionality Test" as a guideline.
Through this test, they asses whether: 1) the value of the
investment is substantial as a percentage of the fair market value
of the enterprise, or 2) whether the value of the investment is
substantial as a percentage of the capital usually required to
establish the specified type of business in the specified industry,
as per the visa application.
In addition, the investment enterprise must not be "marginal",
meaning it must have the capacity in the present or future to
provide income more than a living wage to the investor and his/her
family.
Although each case is evaluated individually by the State
Department, generally the following rules apply in terms of minimum
investment expectations:
1. For investment enterprises valued at less than $500,000
A minimum of 75% of the total value of the enterprise or for small
to medium sized businesses, more than half of the value of the
business
Exceptions may be made for certain start-ups and service businesses,
where smaller initial investments may be appropriate depending on
the particulars of the type of business
2. For investment enterprises valued between $500,000 and $3 million
A minimum of 50% of the value of the business or a flat $1,000,000
is expected to be invested
The State Department may make an exception if it can be demonstrated
that in the specified industry, it is common practice to start a
business with less than 50% of the value of the enterprise.
3. For investment enterprises valued at over $3 million
A minimum of 30% of the value of the business or a flat $1,000,000
is expected to be invested
All of the following three elements must exist for the E visa to be
obtainable:
1. There must be a treaty between the U.S. and the country of the
company or national applying for the visa.
2 The majority ownership or control of the enterprise engaged in trade
or investment with the U.S. must be held by nationals from the
country which has signed a trade/investment treaty with the U.S.
3. Each employee or principal seeking E status must hold citizenship
of the country, which has signed a trade/investment treaty with the
U.S.
The initial statutory limitation on the period of stay for an alien
with an E-1 visa or E-2 visa can be no longer than two
years. (Note: It is not uncommon for the U.S. Consulate to issue an
E-1 visa or E-2 visa for five years).
The initial visa period can be extended indefinitely as long as the
alien affirms that he/she will not remain in the U.S. after this
period, including extensions, ends.
The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of treaty trader or
treaty investor aliens qualify for the same status as the principal
alien, and their nationality is not relevant to their qualification.
They can live and study in the U.S. without any additional permits.
The spouse of the visa holder may obtain authorization to work in
the U.S.
To apply for either visa the alien must provide the following
documentation:
For the E-1 Treaty Trader visa:
1.A statement describing in detail the nature and function of the
business and the alien's position
2 Documents demonstrating the continued trade between the United
States and the country of the applicant's nationality, including any
of the following as available:
trade invoices
sales reports
shipping records or bills of landing
summary or audits of international accounts and trade transactions
company financial statements
articles of incorporation
import/export licenses
bank statements
annual report
tax documentation, etc.
3.An affidavit stating the unequivocal intent that the applicant
will depart the United States when the E status ends
4.A copy of passport for all applicants
5 A copy of the birth certificates and marriage certificate to
support all secondary applications
6. A copy of U.S. Visa and Form I-94 (if aliens are already in the
U.S.) for all applicants
7 If alien is an employee of treaty trade enterprise, then evidence
of position including, organizational chart, job description, and
evidence of recruitment efforts made by the enterprise
For the E-2 Treaty Investor visa:
1.A business plan stating in detail the nature and function of the
business, the necessary initial investment, and employment
projections, including any of the following as available:
property or real estate costs
cost of materials
cost of employee wages
cost of legal, professional fee, and/or licensing fees
asset purchase and sale agreements
mortgage or loan agreements
contracts or letters of understanding between the treaty enterprise
and customers and/or suppliers
articles of incorporation
financial statements
Note: for small enterprises we may be able to help in the creation
of some of these formal documents if provided with certain
information and preliminary documentation
A comprehensive letter addressed to the US Immigration Service
stating the extent of the principal alien's participation in the
investment
A statement of the applicant's unequivocal intent to depart the
United States when E status ends.
A copy of the investment's most recent financial statement;
A copy of passport for all applicants;
A copy of the birth certificates and marriage certificate to support
all secondary applications; and
A copy of U.S. Visa and Form I-94 (if aliens are already in
the U.S.) for all applicants
If alien is an employee of treaty investment enterprise, then
evidence of position including, organizational chart, job
description, and evidence of recruitment efforts made by the
enterprise
There are three stages in the process.
Stage One:
Preparation of Documentation including:
Organization of business (if required)
Business Plan preparation or adaptation for visa purposes
Preparation of supporting documentation
Time required depends on availability and delivery of documents and
overall level of involvement of client
Stage Two:
Preparation and filing of visa application-I-129 and I-129 E
supplements
(Time requirements are approximately 15 days from the day all
documentation is ready)
Stage Three:
The US Immigration Service approval of visa application or receipt
of notice requesting additional documentation or evidence to support
application. In the latter case, we will work with the client to
provide the additional information to the US Immigration Service and
we will prepare a response with the appropriate analysis and legal
argument. This last scenario would increase the amount of time
required to complete the process and may also increase the legal
fees due, depending on the amount of additional work required.
(Adjudication of visa is approximately 120 to 150 days from filing
of application with the US Immigration Service, depending on the
center's caseload)
For more information regarding Immigration Law in
Rhode Island
Click here:
Immigration Law - Frequently Asked
Questions
Contact us by
Email or call us today at (401) 788-0600 to speak with a
someone from our firm..
|