What You Need to Know About the E-2 Investor Visa

An E-2 visa allows holders an initial stay of two years in the U.S. If they wish to extend their time in the country, they may do so in intervals of up to two years, if approved. There’s no limit to how many extensions an E-2 visa holder can receive—the visa can be extended indefinitely. However, with each extension, the holder must confirm that they will ultimately leave the United States.

E-2 visa holders who travel outside of the U.S. may be granted an automatic two-year interval of readmission, if they’re deemed admissible by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Members of your family are permitted to travel along with you on your E-2 visa, including your spouse and your children—if your children are unmarried and under age 21. (Their nationalities do not have to be the same as yours).

These family members can pursue E-2 nonimmigrant classification as dependents. If they’re approved, they can receive the same period of stay as you. If your spouse and kids are already in the U.S. and want to change their status to an E-2 dependent classification, or to extend their stay in an E-2 dependent classification, they can apply by filing Form I-539, Application to Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS.

If your spouse has a valid E-2 status, he or she is considered to have employment authorization “incident to status,” meaning that their permission to work is conferred with their immigration status.

Evidence of their employment authorization that they can use to show employers includes:

• A valid Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with an admission code indicating E-2 nonimmigrant status
• A valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Although spouses of E-2 visa holders don’t have to apply for employment authorization (because their authorization is incident to status), they can still request an EAD, which they can show employers as evidence of their identity and ability to work. To do so, they’ll need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS

Your dependents can attend schools, universities, and colleges in the United States (without having to obtain a student visa).

A B-1 temporary business visitor visa is for individuals who plan to engage in business activities within the United States. Some activities included include contract negotiations, business consultations, or conferences set for specific dates. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

1. The purpose of your trip must be for an activity related to a legitimate business
2. Plan to stay for a limited period of time
3. You have the necessary funds to cover the expenses involved in your trip to the United States
4. You have a residence outside the United States and do not plan to leave that residence
5. Otherwise, you are admissible to the United States

An H-1B visa allows corporations to sponsor immigrant workers who possess a bachelor's degree or higher in an area of study related to the company's business. It is a nonimmigrant visa.

Yes. Permanent worker visas are available in five different preference categories: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. The categories differ based on the different skills, areas of study, and professions required for eligibility. EB-2 and EB-3 applicants must also obtain a Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.