Special Considerations For Singaporean US Visa Applicants
Why are Singaporean US Visa Applicants Unique?
Owing to a variety of agreements between Singapore and the United States, Singaporean Nationals benefit from a number of advantages:
Visa Free Entry
. The ability to enter the United States as a temporary visitor without a visa (note that denial of a business or other visa application will result in an applicant being no longer eligible for visa free entry, see below).H1B1 Visa
. Only Chilean and Singaporean Nationals are eligible for the H1B1 Visa. This visa allows the principal beneficiary to live and work in the United States with his or her spouse and children.E-1 and E-2 Visas
. Nationals of Singapore are eligible for both E-1 and E-2 visas.Investment Visas
. In our experience the United States EB5 visa, when filed using a rural project with an expedite, often provides the easiest and fastest access to the United States. For some clients EB1A, EB1C and EB2 can be faster options.
Warning re Visa Applications and Visa Free Entry
Unfortunatley, several of our Singaporean clients previously applied for business and other visas using other firms and were denied.
Once a Singapore National is denied a US visa he or she is no longer able to enter the United States on the visa waiver program and must apply for a B1/B2 visitor’s visa in order to come to the United States.
Singaporean Nationals who have applied for a B1/B2 visitor’s visa after having been denied an E-2 or other visa have been denied their B1/B2 visitors visa, leaving them unable to enter the United States.
While we have never had a visa application that our firm has initially prepared denied we always counsel Singapore clients to consider applying for a B1/B2 visitors visa prior to applying for other visa types, that way if an E-2 or other visa is denied the client has a pre-exisiting B1/B2 visa with which they can make a lawful visit to the United States. This is not an easy decision however and we spend significant time counselling clients on this issue.
Singapore: Our Experience
- Our goal is to be provide the best client experience available in the Singaporean market. To us this means having the strongest record of success together with the very best levels of client service. We are proud that our clients view us as their “US Immigration law firm of choice” and recognize our client care program as “distinct and unique”.
- The immigration lawyers at Davies & Associates are privileged to serve a number of business visa and other clients resident in Singapore.
- In Singapore our lawyers service some of the largest public companies in the market and some of the smallest start-ups hungry for US capital and investment.
- To date no visa our firm has initially prepared on a first-submission has been denied.*
- Our firm increasingly interacts with the US consulate in Singapore on behalf of our clients and appears with our clients “on-the-ground” at the US Consulate in Singapore.
Singapore forms a key hub in the ability of our firm to deliver US immigration services in Asia. Many of our Singapore-based clients have businesses in other parts of Asia and we are used to coordinating strategies across multiple jurisdictions.
Is a Business Plan Really Important?
For Singapore Nationals applying for certain visa types a business plan can be completely critical. Our experience with the US embassy in Singapore is that properly prepared business plans are essential in E-2, E-1, certain L-1 and EB-5 visa cases.
A guide to business plan preparation can be found be clicking on this link.
L-1 Visas and Singapore Businesses
A number of employees from a variety of Asian countries are employed by Singaporean corporations in Singapore. Our firm is experienced with assisting corporations moving employees to the United States using both the L-1A and L1-B visas.
Permanent Residency and Immigrant Visas in The United States
Our firm represents clients from across the region in their pursuit of EB-5 based investor immigrant visas, permanent residency based on employment and outstanding qualifications as well as family-based petitions.
Meeting our Firm in Singapore
We are the firm of choice for many Singapore-based clients. The market position as a leading provider of US immigration services in Singapore brings our experienced US immigration lawyers from New York and California to Singapore in order to both meet with clients and to work with the US embassy in Singapore. Given advanced notice we very much welcome opportunities to meet our Singapore-based clients both in Singapore and at our firm's other locations.
*In August 2013 we were asked to re-file an E-2 visa for a Singapore National. This client had already applied for an E-2 visa using another law firm and the E-2 visa had been denied. We believe that this application was denied owing to an extremely weak overall presentation and business plan. This visa re-application is still the subject of our continuing representation but has yet to be approved and remains the only issue our firm has had with the approval of a visa of any kind in fifteen years.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Alex call me and I had a very pleasant talk with him on the phone regarding E2 visa to USA. He is very nice to work with!
Contact Davies & Associates Offices in Singapore
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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.
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.
Grenada CBI + E2 Visa ClientThe entire process of getting an EB5 visa is handled in a professional way by Mark Davies and his team. EB5 is a wonderful option for anyone considering moving to the United States if you have the means. I was hoping to use the H1B route for my children, but it became unreliable and so I looked to the EB5 Visa instead. It is great for anyone who has the resources. Mark gives you the first meetings himself which gives you great comfort. Both Mark and Sanjay are abundantly available and I even had the pleasure of hosting them at my house.
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.
U Visa Applicant, A Victim of CrimeLooking to relocate or having trouble with a visa applicaton?
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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