Our firm offers experienced non-immigrant immigration lawyers and immigrant Visa immigration lawyers in Bonn, Cologne and Berlin. They are supported by US E2 visa immigration lawyers and business lawyers throughout the US. We are uniquely positioned to assist German E-2 Visa applicants and other nationals resident in Germany.
What is an E-2 Visa?
A visa is required to operate, direct, or control a business from within the United States. The E2 Investor Visa caters to German Nationals and Nationals of other E2 treaty countries.
There are two kinds of E-2 nonimmigrant visas
E2 Investor Visa for Treaty Investors:
The investment must be substantial. The investor must have control of the funds. They must be able to prove the investment was made on a bona fide basis.E2 Specialized Knowledge Worker Visa
The E2 Specialist knowledge worker visa is designed for individuals from Germany and other Treaty Investor countries. It enables them to work in a specialty role in an E2 business in the United States.
More details on qualifying for and E-2 visa can be found on our German E2 page.
Why is the E2 Visa Application Process Unique?
The E2 visa process it's unique in that it is handled entirely by the US Department of State. This means that unlike L1 visas and EB5 visas USCIS is not involved in E2 visa adjudication. E2 applications are filed directly in the US consulate in Germany, not with USCIS.
What is the E2 Visa Application Process in Germany?
The E2 visa process in Germany is straight-forward and simple. An E2 Visa Application is filed with the US consulate. The next step is a consular interview. Issuance of an E2 visa is the first step to us immigration.
What Has to be Included in an E-2 Visa Application Package Filed in Germany? ?
The US consulates in Germany provide very precise guidance for the E2 visa applications. Applications that do not meet these strict guidelines may not be considered by the consulate. The Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) also offers guidance in the materials to be included in the application. 9 FAM 402.9-11.
Immigration attorneys familiar with E2 processing in Germany can be extremely beneficial. The exact documentation required by the consulate can differ based on individual cases and changes over time.
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Tab 1a
- A photograph on a white background which complies with the current consular guidelines.
- A photocopy of the biographics page of the primary applicant's passport. The needs to comply with U.S. visa photo requirements.
- The confirmation page from your Non-immigrant Visa Application Form DS-160.
- An MRV application fee receipt
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Tab 1b
Fill out Form DS-156E on behalf of the principal applicant. If you are represented by an attorney, attach Form G-28. Have the applicant or company representative sign both forms.
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Tab 1c
The Foreign Affairs Manual ("FAM") and the US consulate in Frankfurt require the E-2 visa application
- The US business is either operation or immediately capable of beginning operations, 9 FAM 402.9-6(C);
- That the investment is substantial,9 FAM 402.9-6(D);
- The investment does more than allow the investor to support their family. It provides real value to the US economy 9 FAM 402.9-6(E);
- The investor has already made a qualifying investment or is in the process of doing so 9 FAM 402.9-6(B);
- The role to be filled by the applicant requires executive/supervisory skills 9 FAM 402.9-7(A)
- A statement of the E2 visa applicant's intent to depart U.S. when their E status ends. Note: an E2 visa holder can later change their mind, transitioning to a Green Card is an option.
- If the US business has previously been qualified for an E2 visa then this needs to be disclosed.
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Tab 2a
- Business Plan. A five year business plan is required detailing projected profit and loss. For existing businesses two years of tax returns are required.
- A profit and loss statement for the current year. The goal is to evidence that the US E2 business will be profitable within five (5) years.
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Tab 2b
- Evidence that the US E2 business is owned 50% or more my German Nationals. Qualifying German Nationals cannot be US Permanent Residents. INA 101(a)(15)(E).
- Companies traded on a stock market located in Germany are generally deemed to be of German ownership for E2 purposes. Evidence of the the listing needs to be included.
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Tab 2c
The company should provide details of their original E visa status. This includes the date and place they were approved. Applicants should include a statement in their application. This statement should affirm their commitment to leave the United States when their E status expires.- Demonstrate the applicant has invested or is in the process of investing 9 FAM 402.9-6(D) The applicant must demonstrate that the enterprise is a real and operating commercial enterprise, and not a passive investment.
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Tab 3a
- Documentation evidencing that the E2 investment is "substantial" 9 FAM 402.9-6(D)
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Tab 3b
Evidence that the business will do more than support the applicant and their family. 9 FAM 402.9-6(E) A business does not qualify for E2 purposes if it only produces enough income to support the applicant and their family. -
Tab 4
- The applicants resume.
- Evidence that any essential employee has skills that are urgently needed by the business. US consular staff find an explanation of why a US Citizen or Green Card Holder cannot take the role helpful.
- Organizational chart explaining the reporting structure at the US business.
E2 Visa FAQs
Check out our most frequently asked questions about E-2 Visa for Germany E-2 Visa FAQs Germany
5 stars and a high five! Thank you Verdie and Etta for assisting us with our change of status application. They were very professional and accommodating with all our questions and concerns throughout the process. Despite the time constraint, we pulled it off and we could not have done this without you guys! Keep up the good work!
Getting my E2 Visa was a very in-depth process that took just over a year from when I committed to it, but 8 months from when I found a business I wanted to purchase. The only reason I'm giving 4 and not 5 stars is because the timeframe was a lot longer than expected from the initial information. Aside from the timing, Verdie and his team led me through the Visa process, providing all the guidance I needed to be successful, including advising me on the RIGHT type of Visa to suit my goals. Within the process I purchased a business and the greater Davies team included lawyer Rinat who helped me put the deal together. One of the biggest parts was my Business Plan which created from my info by Ana Ortiz, who did an incredible job. The process is certainly tedious and Verdie & Christina were always there to answer my questions, provide suggestions and advice and ensure I had all the documents I needed to support my application. I appreciated their patience with my questions and their advice and in the end, the application was so thorough the interview process was quick and easy. I highly recommend Davies & Associates and look forward to working with them again when it's time to renew my Visa.
I had talked with Alex Jovy, he was very quick to respond, had a lot of useful information which I was not aware of. Took time out of his day to discuss my situation and was very helpful. They go into a lot of detail which other companies do not. Overall a great service!
I received an world-class help in how to immigrate to the USA succesfully! Alex was very open to answer my questions and is definitely a professional in what he does! Strongly recommend this firm.
We were in a hurry and Verdie and the team were highly responsive and supportive, even when we threw in some curve balls along the way. We had our visas approved without any issues and felt confident and well prepared for document submissions and the interview. I'd certainly recommend this team for an E2 visa process.
Contact Davies & Associates Offices in Germany
Check all of our locations around the world, here
Company location
Bonn, Germany Office
Witterschlicker Strasse 28, 53123 Bonn, Germany
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Cologne, Germany Office
Mevissenstrasse 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany
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Looking to acquire an E2 Visa?
We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas, we solve the most complex immigration problems for businesses, investors, individuals, and families.
E2 Visa Immigration lawyer near meSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand.
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We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas, we solve the most complex immigration problems for business, investors, individuals and families.
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