subject: Do You Qualify for An Investor Visa? [print this page] Many people apply for U.SMany people apply for U.S. visas every year. There are different categories of visas and these are usually determined by the purpose that the visa is being sought for. For instance, a skilled worker would qualify for a visa under the B1, H1, or L1 categories. Non-business visitors to the United States would be eligible for a B2 visa and so on. There is a special category for those seeking to set up business in America. This is known as the investor visa.
Three Types
Again, an investor visa or E visa can be of different types-E1, E2, or EB-5. The first two visas are open to citizens of treaty countries only. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlines certain conditions which have to be met before someone can apply for one of these visas. These include investing a certain amount of capital into a business and creating employment for a specified minimum number of people.
Bring to the Table
The process of determining visa eligibility and then applying for it can be confusing for many. Contacting a competent investor visa lawyer is the best way to go about this. He or she will tell you the categories under which you can consider applying for such a visa. Your financial situation and the type of enterprise you are seeking to start or take over will factor heavily pertaining to the visa choice. The key here is the quantum of contribution that the investor will make to the American economy.
Permitted to Work
An investor visa lawyer will also be able to tell you which of these visa categories permits entry for dependants of the primary applicant. Some dependent visa holders may also be eligible to obtain a work permit after gaining entry to this country.
Final Note
Valid passports are required before you can apply for any type of visa, as are properly filled application forms. All applicants are required to attend personal interviews at the local consulate as per their place of residence. Very young children and octogenarians or older people are perhaps the only ones exempt from personal interviews.
