For Business Visa Processing

Attorney Ahmad Yakzan of The American Dream Law Office, PLLC is your first choice for a business visa lawyer in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida. The E visa is a great option for international traders and international investors who are looking for a lower investment amount.

This type of visa is open to international traders and investors from certain countries who have treaties with the United States. Some of these treaties require certain amounts of investment and are limited in duration. Hiring an E-visa attorney like Attorney Ahmad Yakzan increases your chances of submitting and getting your visa approved by the Service.

A person entering the US as an E treaty investor or trader has to be a national of a treaty enterprise. In an employee’s case, he/she and the treaty enterprise must be from the same treaty country. The country of incorporation is irrelevant to the application. All that matters is the nationality of the trader or investor.

Lawful permanent residents may not be counted towards nationality. The nationality used to enter the US is the one that is used at the time of the application.

Trade is defined as the international exchange of goods between the US and the treaty country of which the trader is a citizen of. Goods could be tangible and nontangible products and services. The trade must also be ongoing and in existence and the applicant must show that it was at the time of the application. Employees of the trading company can be new hires but must be treaty nationals.

The investor must show that the funds were obtained through legal means. It can be from loans, gifts, inheritance, or any other legitimate sources. Rents paid for the treaty enterprise can be counted towards the investment. The investment could also include intellectual property using the fair market value. However, passive investments are not counted.

The investment must also be substantial, meaning that the amount invested should be sufficient to run the enterprise. To test this, the US government uses the proportionality test.

The enterprise may not be marginal. Marginal enterprises are ones that do not have the present or future capacity to generate enough income for a minimal living for the investor and his family. An investor must show that his enterprise will expand job opportunities, generate other sources of income, generate substantially more income than what is considered a minimal living.

He or she must show that he/she will not simply work as a skilled or unskilled worker. An investor must also direct and develop the enterprise and have a controlling interest in the treaty enterprise. This requirement does not apply to employees.

The E enterprise may hire employees and grant them the E classification. They apply the necessary petitions for executives, supervisors, and essential employees.

An executive is principally an executive and opposed to someone whose job incidentally or collaterally executive. They must have great authority to determine policy, terminate employees, supervise a major part of the company, have executive skills and experience, and have a major role in the company. Meanwhile, nonsupervisory employees must be essential to the operation of the enterprise.

Family members of the E visa holder may be classified as E visa holders. Their nationality is irrelevant. Spouses of E-2 visa holders may obtain an employment authorization card, which may be granted for two years. Additionally, children may not be employed but may attend school without changing status.

Applicants who are in the US may submit a change of status by filing an application using form I-129. An applicant may also apply at the embassy or consulate in their country using DS-160.