Resources For Foreign
Investors Seeking US Visas
Foreign investors around the world face unique challenges when seeking opportunities to work, reside and travel freely to the United States. Many US visa options are available to foreign investors, and they each come with opportunities and obstacles. Investment amounts, citizenship status and the foreign investor’s country of origin all play a significant role in determining one’s eligibility to apply for a US visa.
Investors have faced additional roadblocks recently, with the US government placing restrictions on many US visas, or halting the programs entirely. Foreign investors have had to become creative in their strategies to enter the United States in pursuit of business and education opportunities for their families.
As you explore your investment options and pathways to new global markets, consider the accessibility and affordability of the US E-2 visa.
Overview of the
US E-2 Investor Visa
The US E-2 investor visa is one of the most sought after and accessible nonimmigrant visas available to foreign investors and their families. Processing time is shorter than most other visas (averaging about 2-4 months).
E2 visas are awarded to foreign nationals who have citizenship in a country that has established an E2 Treaty with the United States. The E2 visa gives the foreign national and their family the freedom to travel and reside in the United States for up to five years, in exchange for an investment in a US-approved business. The visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times.
Benefits of Applying For An E-2 Visa
Foreign nationals with an E2 visa enjoy these benefits:
- The ability to establish and operate a US-approved business.
- The option to sponsor specialized employees from the investor’s home country, to come work in the approved business.
- The ability to spend 120 days in the United States without being subject to global income taxation.
- The investor’s children can attend highly coveted US public schools for free, and pay only in-state tuition costs at US colleges.
- Spouses have the option to work anywhere in the US.
- The E2 visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times, as long as the E-2 business remains in operation.
How to Obtain an E-2 Visa
In order to apply for the E-2 visa, a foreign national must have citizenship in a country that holds an E-2 treaty with the United States.
In addition to being a citizen of a E-2 treaty country, the investor must also meet these criteria:
- The foreign investor must be in the process of investing (or already invested) a substantial amount of money in an approved United States business. Investors can expect to invest at least $150,000 to be considered.
- The investor must be seeking residency and travel privileges to the United States for purposes of developing or overseeing the approved US business. Under the E-2 visa foreign investors and their families may reside in the United States for as long as the business is operating and profitable.
Grenada is one of the most popular E2 treaty countries due to its quick passport processing times, affordability, and its unique status as a Caribbean territory that grants access to apply for a US E-2 visa. Additionally, Grenadian citizens enjoy visa-free travel to over 130 countries including China, Russia, the UK, and Schengen countries.
Grenada offers Citizenship by Investment programs that helps investors obtain Grenadian citizenship and all of the benefits afforded with having a Grenadian passport. Range Developments is the leading developer of Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean, and offers investment opportunities in Grenada for foreign nationals seeking a pathway to the United States.
Learn About Investing in the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program, and how you can get access to the US E-2 Visa.
E-2 Visa Resources
for Chinese Foreign Investors
Mainland Chinese entrepreneurs are facing unprecedented wait times for EB-5 and other nonimmigrant class visas. The global pandemic has made wait times even more complicated, with many Chinese investors looking at wait times of two years or longer.
Many Chinese Nationals seek pathways to the United States so that their children can access the best US schools and universities. Although it may seem difficult or impossible in 2020 to obtain an nonimmigrant US visa, there are options available to Mainland Chinese investors.
Although Mainland China does not have an E2 Treaty with the United States, Chinese Nationals can obtain citizenship in an E2 Treaty country and become eligible to apply for the E2 visa.
Grenada is a popular option for Mainland Chinese entrepreneurs because of its quick processing times and access to the US E2 visa. Upon receiving Grenadian citizenship, a Chinese National can apply for the E2 visa and access US schools for their children, and work opportunities for their spouse.
E-2 Resources
for Indian National Foreign Investors
2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for Indian Nationals seeking pathways to the United States. Green card waiting times for Indians have soared to more than 195 years. The US government has shown no signs of finding solutions to this problem, and many nonimmigrant visas have been halted by the US government citing concerns related to the global pandemic.
India does not have an E-2 treaty with the United States, so Indian Nationals seeking opportunities to work and reside in the US should consider obtaining citizenship in an E2 Treaty country through a citizenship by investment program. These programs are designed to give Indians a second citizenship in exchange for an investment in a government-approved real estate project.
Citizenship by investment programs are offered in many E2 treaty countries, but at varying costs. Grenada is one of the more affordable E2 treaty countries offering second citizenships in exchange for an investment in a Grenadian real estate project.
To learn more about investing in Grenada in exchange for citizenship and the ability to apply for the US E2 visa, please visit our Six Senses La Sagesse page for more information about our Grenadian citizenship by investment project.
E-2 Resources for
Russian Foreign Investors
Ukrainian Nationals have had the opportunity to apply for E-2 visas since 1996, but Russian Nationals are not allowed to apply for E-2 visas because the United States has not established an E2 Treaty with Russia. In order for Russians to obtain an E-2 visa, they must first establish citizenship in a country that has an E2 Treaty with the US.
Many countries have a high cost of investment required for citizenship, and difficult application & approval criteria. This can be frustrating for Russian Nationals who already face difficulties traveling to the United States amid the global pandemic.
Russian Nationals who are interested in opening a business in the US should consider a citizenship by investment program such as the Grenada CBI program from Range Developments. By investing in an approved real estate project in Grenada, Russian Nationals receive Grenadian citizenship, which in turn opens the pathway to apply for a US E-2 visa.
Additional Citizenship
by Investment Resources
Our team of citizenship by investment experts research the latest citizenship by investment news, trends and opportunities around the globe. Browse our Citizenship by Investment Library for more information about investment opportunities in the Caribbean, United States, and around the world.
Citizenship by Investment Insights
For additional insights written by Mohammed Asaria, Managing Director for Range Developments, view our collection of Articles. We’re committed to helping foreign investors navigate all of their passport and second citizenship options.