E-2 Visa and Citizenship by Investment Program

The E-2 Visa is a powerful and popular choice for people who want to move to the United States to run a business. Under this program, eligible business owners can establish a business of their choosing or can opt to invest in/purchase an existing business with investment amounts starting from $100,000. The business owner’s spouse can also apply to work in the U.S. Unfortunately, however, this type of Visa is not automatically available for everyone.

Only citizens of E-2 Visa eligible countries (referred to as E-2 Treaty Countries) can take advantage of the E-2 program. Davies & Associates team of immigration professionals works with citizens of E-2 Treaty Countries, helping them realize their dreams of running businesses in the U.S. Even if your country of citizenship is not on the list, you may still be able to come to the U.S. using the E-2 program. The process simply involves an extra step.

If you are citizen of an E-2 Treaty Country D&A has a large team located across the United States to help you apply for the E-2 Visa directly. However, if you are not a citizen of an E-2 Treaty country, an additional step is required.

Understanding E-2 Visa Eligibility

If you are a citizen of China, India, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, or Vietnam, you cannot apply for an E-2 Treaty Visa directly. Instead, you must first become a citizen of an E-2 Treaty Country. There are many countries on the list from which you could choose. However, some of them, including Grenada, Turkey, and Montenegro, offer a more streamlined and cost-effective path to citizenship than others. In fact, when choosing one of these E-2 Treaty Countries, you may be able to complete the entire process in less than a year.

Davies & Associates helps clients obtain citizenship in these and other E-2 countries so they can then pursue their E-2 status in the U.S.

Grenada

Pursuing a Grenada-U.S. E-2 Visa means you will first become a citizen of this stunning, Caribbean nation known for its stable government and white, sandy beaches. Citizens of this English-speaking country enjoy visa-free travel to more than 153 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., China, and the EU Schengen countries

The Grenada citizenship E-2 Visa generally starts with either a donation of $150,000 or an investment of at least $220,000 in government-approved real estate, meeting certain investment timing and other maintenance requirements.

Learn more about the Grenada E-2 Visa process here.

Montenegro

Another popular option to obtain E-2 status in the U.S. is pursuing citizenship in the western Balkans nation of Montenegro. This country’s government has applied for membership in the European Union and has implemented an opportunity for non-citizens to obtain citizenship by making real estate investments and monetary donations. The minimum required amounts vary, depending on whether the applicant is investing in a more-developed or less-developed part of the country. This program was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2021, but was extended through December 31, 2022.

Learn more about the time-limited Montenegro citizenship by investment program here.

The Right Immigration Attorney Can Make a Difference

At Davies & Associates, we believe it’s important to choose the right immigration lawyer. If your home country is not on the E-2 Treaty Countries list and you are considering the E-2 Visa for Grenada or another option to obtain your E-2 status in the U.S., you should choose an immigration attorney who is knowledgeable about current consulate practices. Your lawyer should also be prepared to offer advice, guidance, and other considerations as you begin the application process.

In some cases, it will be most advantageous to begin the Visa application process in your home country; in other situations, applying through a consulate in Grenada, Turkey, Montenegro, or another country offering citizenship by investment (CBI) may be a better option. Sometimes, the U.S. consulate in a country other than your home country or target CBI may accept your application, too.

Choosing an immigration attorney who has significant experience helping clients with situations similar to yours can provide added peace of mind as you embark on your journey to move to the U.S. under the E-2 program.

Tax Considerations

In addition to evaluating the CBI program differences in various countries as you pursue E-2 status, it’s also important to consider the potential tax implications of various options. In fact, there can be significant tax benefits if you understand the tax framework and rules.

When selecting an attorney to advise and help you with the E-2 program, choose a lawyer and firm with a background or with access to qualified tax professionals who can help you understand your options and the tax implications/benefits associated with each.

Choose D&A for CBI Advice and Services

Davies & Associates helps clients obtain U.S. residency and citizenship under the E-2 program, assisting with every step from the CBI application process in a treaty country to obtaining E-2 status, applying for ‘green cards,’ and ultimately pursuing U.S. citizenship. In fact, we’ve been a leader in this area of immigration law since the Grenada and Turkish CBI programs began.

We stand apart from the competition in several ways. First, unlike many competitors, we hold a full Grenada CBI agent license — a requirement under current Grenadian law. We are also proud to be the first law firm in the U.S. to succeed in helping a client obtain E-2 status based on their donation in Grenada.

We also have a physical presence in Turkey. Our team of experienced attorneys in Istanbul help clients obtain their Turkish citizenship by investment so the clients can pursue E-2 status in the U.S.

Finally, our dedicated E-2 team has significant experience successfully obtaining E-2 visas through citizenship by investment for clients whose home countries are not on the E-2 Treaty Countries list.