Investing in the Future: US E2 Visa for Germans
What is an E-2 Visa? Benefits of an E2 VisaHow to Qualify for an E2 VisaHow to Choose an E2 Visa LawyerWhat is the E2 Visa Process in Germany?What are the differences Between Change of Status to E2 and an E2 Visa Application?How Long Does an E2 Visa Take in Germany?What does an E2 Visa cost for a German National?Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)E2 Visa ProcessE2 Visa Renewal- Agriculture & Commodities Industry Practice
- Commercial Manufacturing & Production Industry Group
- Energy Practice Group
- Fashion Industry
- Information Technology
- Logistics & Warehousing Practice
- Retail Practice
- Startup & Emerging Business
- Mobile Application & Social Media
- India Practice Group
- Investors and Entrepreneurs
- Consulting & Service Oriented Businesses
- Visa Franchise Practice
- Mining
- Financial
- Medical Professionals
- Moving from Australia to US
- Emigrate to & from Canada
- Grenada Citizenship by investment
- Moving from India to US
- Italian Citizenship & Residency
- Moving from Philippines to US
- Portuguese Residency By Investment
- Moving from Singapore to US
- Moving from Taiwan to US
- Turkish Citizenship
- Moving from United Kingdom to US
- Immigration to the United Kingdom
- Moving from Vietnam to US
Our firm offers experienced non-immigrant immigration lawyers and immigrant Visa immigration lawyers in and Berlin who are backed by US E-2 and US business lawyers across the United States. We are uniquely
positioned to assist German E-2 Visa applicants and other nationals resident in Germany.
What is an E-2 Visa?
There are two kinds of E2 Treaty Investor visas available for Germans:
E2 Visa for Principal Treaty Investor:
Grants a qualified investor the ability to direct and control a business in the United States.E2 Visa for Specialist Workers
Allows a qualified specialist worker to work in a qualified E2 business in the United States
Benefits of an E2 Visa
- Ability to legally work in the United States
- No minimum investment required
- Spouse can obtain a dependent E2 Visa and EAD authorization
- Travel freely in and out of the US
- Possible to be a non-resident for taxation purposes
- Able to remain in the US indefinitely
- Adjust Status to a Green Card through EB1C, EB2, EB3 and EB5
A more complete description of general qualifications for an E2 Visa can be found by following this link. This page is more focused on the process of obtaining an E2 Visa in Germany and of nuances encountered by our firm’s clients applying for an E-2 Visa from Germany.
- National of a treaty Country
- Have Invested or be in the Process of Investing a “Substantial Amount”
- Real, Operating Business
You need to be the national of an E2 treaty country. 9 FAM 402.9-6(B). Our US business Visa lawyers in Cologne, Berlin and Bonn assist clients of many nationalities who are resident in Germany. We frequently assist Indian, Turkish and Russian clients resident in Germany. While Russia and India are not an E2 treaty country our citizenship lawyers assist many Russian and other clients to obtain an E Visa qualifying nationality.
Invested or be actively in the process of investing a substantial amount. See 9 FAM 402.9-6(D). For information on what constitutes a “substantial investment of E Visa purposes follow this link.
The enterprise must be real, operating business or a business capable of immediately commencing operations. See 9 FAM 402.9-6(C).
- Step 1 - Select Your Professional Advisors
- A German tax advisor and US tax lawyer who can work with our firm’s US tax counsel to devise the optimal strategy for you.
- A US advisor who can assist you select a location for your US business. Our firm’s corporate lawyers in Cologne, Berlin and across the United States can assist you with this.
- You will need a US immigration lawyer with a presence in Germany who can effectively deal with the US consulate in Germany on your behalf.
- A US corporate lawyer who can help you structure and properly establish your US business.
- A US accountant who can file your US taxes each year.
- Step 2 - Identify a US Business
- Step 3 - Business Plan
- Step 4 - Consular Processing or Change of Status
- Step 5 - Form DS-160
- Step 6 - Pay the Applicable Fee.
- Step 7 - Submit your Application Package
- Step 8 - Schedule a Consular Appointment
- Your passport number
- Your Visa fee receipt number. If you cannot find the number then help is available here.
- A copy of your DS-160 confirmation page, including the bar code number encoded upon it.
- Step 9 - Preparation for Consular Interview
- Step 10 - Consular Interview
- Possibly your lawyer (see above)
- your appointment letter;
- a printed copy of your DS-160 confirmation;
- one photograph taken within the last six months; and
- your current and all old passports.
You need the right team who can assist you select, open and operated a business in the United States. Your immigration lawyer typically “quarterbacks” this team. This includes:
You need to select a business in the United States and make the required investment. Our firm commonly assists client conduct legal due diligence on businesses they are acquiring in the United States.
You need to prepare a full and detailed business plan. The E2 Visa lawyers at our law firm worj with financial professionals to prepare immigration compliant business plans.
You need to decide whether to apply for consular processing or for Change of Status from withing the United States. Learn some of the considerations when choosing between these options.
If you are applying from the US consulate in Frankfurt you will need to complete a Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. Your lawyer should have an office in Germany who can assist you with this.
If you are applying for change of status in the United States we will assist you complete for I-129 to be filed with USCIS.
There are generally two fees payable in E Visa cases. These depend on the nationality of the applicant and can be found by following this link.
Our law firm will process this fee for you.
A detailed table with information on what to include in your E2 Visa application package in Germany is available by following this link.
You can schedule a consular interview at a time of your convenience at this web page. When visiting the webpage you will need to produce the following information:
Clients typically visit our offices in Germany to receive a thorough preparation for the critical consular interview. We offer this service in Cologne and Berlin. Across Europe our offices in the United Kingdom and Italy and also able to offer this service.
Attend your interview at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt. It is possible that one of our lawyer MIGHT be allowed to join you at your interview, there is a small additional fee for this service.
What Should you Bring to your Consular Interview
If you do not bring the above documents to interview then your Visa will not be issued.
The US Consulate in Frankfurt provides detailed guidance on what needs to be included in an E2 Visa application package. Detailed Instructions are available by following this link.
Our E2 Visa lawyers have prepared a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of filing for change of status to E2 versus applying for a Visa.
E2 Visa application are filed at the consulate in Germany. The time taken to obtain an interview will depend on how busy the consulate is. The US State Department posts a list of Visa interview wait times at different consulates and can be found by following this link.
There are several costs when applying for an E-2 Visa. These include:
Cost | Paid To | Amount | More Information |
MRV Visa fee | US State Department | USD 205 | US State Department |
Reciprocity Fee | US State Department | Varies by Nationality of Applicant | Visa Reciprocity Fee Chart |
Business Plan Fee | Business Plan Drafter or Lawyer | Typically USD 2,000 - USD 3,000 | Please call us |
E2 Lawyer Fee | Lawyer | Varies from about USD 5,000 to about USD 20,000 | Contact individual law firms |
Corporate Lawyer Fee | Lawyer | Varies, usually on an hourly rate | |
State Incorporation Fees | US State | Varies by State, typically a couple of hundred dollars | |
TOTAL | We advise clients to Budget for about USD 12,000 - USD 16,000 in a simple E2 Visa case. |
Source: US Travel Docs
E2 Visa FAQs
Check out our most frequently asked questions about E-2 Visa for Germany E-2 Visa FAQs Germany
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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.
Individual seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaD&A was very detail-oriented and was very thorough in what they did” L1 Visa Client. There was a lot of work on my case and worked on it 24/7 and was very patient answering all my questions.
E2 Visa ClientMy case felt complex but D&A managed the whole process carefully and helped me move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
E2 + CBI ClientD&A was my guiding light through the entire EB5 Process.
EB5 Visa ClientI would definitely be a big advocate for the rest of my life for anyone wanting to explore the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme leading to the E2 Visa. The most important thing is a good team behind you.. with Davies & Associates you’re in safe hands… you need someone who can give you all the support at the ground level and, again, you are well take care of by D&A. The people are really warm, very helpful and quite openminded when it comes to business… Not to mention as a passport it’s great from a travel perspective…It’s just 4/5 hours from New York.
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Parent of 2 EB5 Visa HoldersI'm in a process of extending my L1 visa. I submitted a few questions regarding my case and he contacted me back almost immediately both by e-mail and telephone. Unlike other attorneys I met before, he gave me the impression of knowing from the top of his head what kind of visa I have, and what actions had to be taken to extend it. He is very thorough and clear regarding the process and what to expect in terms of timelines and issues that may arise. He is constantly in contact, so you definitely know he's working on your case.
L1B Visa HolderMark Davies is a joy to work with. His extensive knowledge, speedy response and attentive service took away all my fears of dealing with immigration and visa applications. He is very generous with his time in explaining every step along the way and I have already and will in the future recommend him to anybody who is looking for an immigration lawyer.
E2 Visa for Small Professional Business With International OfficesDavies & Associates assisted us with an immigration emergency involving my brother's fiancée who was outside the United States. They assisted us in an highly professional manner, working with the relevant US embassy, US immigration and the governments of two other countries. As a result of their efforts the individual involved is now working in the United States. While their knowledge of the law is exemplary what really distinguishes this firm and attorney Davies from any other firm we have worked with is their dedication to customer service and their unrivaled level of professionalism.
Complex Fiancée Visa Need Involving Multiple International JurisdictionsSeveral 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. I have recommended this firm to several friends and colleagues, they do an excellent job every time.
Individual Seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaI was qualified as a physician in a foreign country. Being on a J1 visa I was facing having to leave the United States and return to my home country. Davies & Associates secured one of only 30 J1 visa waivers available in my State, allowing me to work for a US hospital and remain in the United States.
Doctor Seeking J1 Visa WaiverI am very satisfied with the services Mark Davies has provided me. He has a very extensive knowledge in immigration laws and has a thorough approach to any case.
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