E-2 Visa and Citizenship by Investment Program
Citizens of more than half of the world’s countries are ineligible for the E-2 Visa, which is one of the most sought-after visa categories in the United States. It allows an individual to move to the United States for the purposes of running a business. There is wide scope to set up a venture of your choice and it is also possible to buy into a ready-made franchise. The investment required usually starts from around $100,000 and spouses are able to apply to work in the United States.
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.
Citizens of China, India, Russia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Africa and Nigeria are not eligible for the E-2 Treaty Visa. In order to become eligible citizens of these countries must first obtain citizenship of a country that does have an E-2 Treaty with the United States.
While there are many E-2 Treaty countries, the three countries with the fastest and most cost-effective pathways to citizenship are Grenada, Turkey and Montenegro. D&A has helped clients become citizens of E-2 Treaty countries and then obtain an E-2 Visa and successfully start their business in America. The whole process could take as little as 9 months.
Grenada
Nicknamed the Spice of the Caribbean, Grenada is a stunning, English-speaking
island, rich in white sandy beaches, lush green vegetation, and buzzing coral
reefs. The country has a stable government and a well-established investment
environment Citizens of Grenada can travel without visa restrictions to 127
countries, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and important
business hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Grenada is one of very few
nations whose citizens can travel to the People’s Republic of China without
first obtaining a visa. Find out more
Turkey
Given its position as a major international transport hub at the crossroads of
Europe and Asia, it comes as little surprise that Turkey’s citizenship by investment program
is fast becoming one of the most popular in the world.
Turkey’s cost-effective program offers fast processing times and access to a
strong passport and diverse economy Turkey offers two quick and cost-effective
pathways to citizenship. Applicants can choose whether to make a $250,000 USD
investment in real estate or maintain a balance of at least $500,000 USD with a
Turkish bank. Find
out more
Montenegro
A picturesque fast- growing nation in the western Balkans, Montenegro is a
candidate country for European Union membership. The Montenegrin government is
offering a time-limited opportunity to receive citizenship in exchange for an
investment of €250,000 in less developed parts of the country coupled with a
€100,000 donation. The minimum Investment required for projects in more
developed parts of the country is €450,000. The program is limited to 2,000
investors and will expire at the end of 2021. Find out more
Choosing an Immigration Lawyer
While all of the guidance given at https://www.usimmigrationadvisor.com/e-2-treaty-investor.html#e2-visa-lawyers
applies for those applying for an E2 visa based on having obtained the
citizenship of a third country special considerations apply.
You will need advice based on the current practices at various consulates as to
which consulate is the best place for you to apply for your E2-Visa . This could be:
- In you “home” country (India, Vietnam, China, Nigeria…..)
- In your CBI country (Grenada, Turkey, Australia, Canada…..)
- In a third country where the US consulate is willing to accept your application
We strongly suggest that you retain an E2 lawyer with at least 7 years of experience assisting clients who have successfully obtained an E2-visa
Taxation Planning
Part of the choice of your E2-qualifying E2 country will be the very substantial
tax benefits that can flow to persons considering US residency. Far too many
clients do not avail themselves of this benefit which can save many tens or
hundreds of thousands of US dollars in unnecessary taxation payments.
You are therefore also well advised to choose a lawyer familiar with the tax advantages of the different countries or with access to a tax advisory team who can assist you with the this important decision.
D&A CBI Advisory Service
Since the inception of the Grenada and Turkish citizenship by investment
programs D&A has been a leader in guiding client from CBI application to E2 visa
to US green card and US citizenship.
We are unique in:
- Being the only US E2-visa law firm with a full Grenada CBI agent license, which is required by Grenadian law
- Having a team of lawyers in Istanbul who are experienced with hundreds of successful Turkish CBI applications
- Having been the first US law firm to obtain an E2 visa based on the Grenadian donation option
- Having a dedicated E2 team with over 7 years of successful experience with obtaining E2 visas based on citizenship by investment