What is the E-2 visa?
The E-2 investor visa allows a person to establish a business and live in the United States with his or her family. Citizens of certain countries that have treaties with the U.S. qualify for this type of visa. As of October 20, 1994, Argentina is one of them and the process is carried out at the U.S. Consulate in Buenos Aires.
What are the advantages?
The E-2 visa allows the investor:
- To have his or her own business
- To bring his or her spouse who can obtain a work permit, and unmarried children under 21 who can study
- To invest substantially less than other investment visas
- To process it more quickly than other investment or work visas
- To obtain it for a term of up to 5 years renewable without limit
- To bring employees and their families from Argentina
How much and how do I have to invest?
Immigration laws do not establish a minimum investment amount. They require that the investment be substantial and commensurate with the business. It is recommended to invest at least U$S 100,000.
The law requires that the investment has already taken place at the time of applying for the visa. The investment may include the acquisition of movable and immovable property related to the business such as computers, machinery, the design of a website, advertising, hiring employees, office supplies, etc.
The origin of the funds must be legal and provable. It can come from personal earnings, inheritance or donations.
In addition, if a person is interested in a green card or citizenship, he/she can start by settling in the U.S. with an E-2 visa and then apply for a green card through an E-B5 visa, or another alternative pathway.
Thus, although many people are unaware of its existence, the E-2 is perhaps one of the best vehicles for Argentinians seeking to settle in the U.S. with their families and have their own business. It has substantial comparative advantages over other visas in terms of the minimum investment amount and speed of processing.
If you are interested in learning more about this visa or other ways to live in the U.S., contact us at +1 (213) 278-4073 or at info@dgo.legal to schedule your consultation.
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