Menu
Expat.com

United States: E1 and E2 Visas terms to change this September

Etats-Unis
Shutterstock.com
Written byAnne-Lise Mtyon 11 September 2019

The changes will only be operated as from the 26th of September. From this date on, visas E1 and E2 granted to French entrepreneurs will have to be renewed every 15 months instead of every 60 months. What are the implications of this change? Two experts give us their insight.

From September 26th onwards, the E1 and E2 visas will have to be renewed almost every year. Indeed, this permit will only be valid for 15 months instead of 60 months. This was announced last August by the US authorities. The change is not retroactive and only applies to those who will send in their applications or renew their existing visa after the 26th of September. "All E2 visa candidates whose interview will be held after the September 26 will need to get their visas renewed more regularly," said Stéphane Deneux, expert in franchises in Miami.

But what are the E1 and E2 visas? E1 and E2 visas are for entrepreneurs. These visas are intended for citizens of countries with which the United States has signed a treaty, including France. "The E1 visa is appropriate for French entrepreneurs wishing to develop an activity with at least 50% of transactions (products or services) between France and the United States. The E2 visa applies to entrepreneurs who want to create and develop a company in the United States," says Francine Prewitt, a lawyer specializing in business and immigration rights. The latter explains that the two visas allow entrepreneurs to settle temporarily in the United States to develop their business.

Both experts agree this change can be inconvenient but is not a barrier to starting a business in the United States. "Although French contractors installed in the US will have to renew their visas almost every year, the measure should not affect the examination of visa applications by immigration officers. In theory, any entrepreneur who fulfills the visa requirements should not have any difficulty obtaining a visa,” says Francine Prewitt. So says Stéphane Deneux. "Anyway, this change is probably temporary. If your business plan is in line with reality, renewal after a shorter period will be just a formality. "

Still, there are other permit alternatives for those who would like to invest in the United States. For example, the EB5 investor visa. According to Francine Prewitt, this visa gives to its owner the right of residence in the United States. "But it requires a significant investment of at least $ 900,000. This was previously $ 500, 000 and has only just been set at $ 900, 000 last July," says Francine Prewitt. But there is also the L1 visa. This visa, says the lawyer, is granted to French companies wishing to open a subsidiary in the United States. However, it is only granted for a period of one year, and renewable for two years but with a maximum duration of seven years. But there are also ways to get round this inconvenience, explains Stéphane Deneux. For example, if an investor holds a second passport or his spouse does, he can still obtain an E1 or E2 visa for a period of 60 months.

Work
Invest
entrepreneurship
USA
About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

Comments

    More articles

    View all articles

    Articles to help you in your expat project

    • Working in the Dominican Republic
      Working in the Dominican Republic

      If you are looking for a job in the Dominican Republic (DR), here are some tips and suggestions. Job hunting can ...

    • Working in Taiwan
      Working in Taiwan

      Working in Taiwan depends on your skill set and the job you seek. Expats can find a wide range of jobs around the ...

    • Work in Costa Rica
      Work in Costa Rica

      A low unemployment rate and a strong economy set Costa Rica apart from its neighbours. If you have fallen in love ...

    • Setting up a business in Greece
      Setting up a business in Greece

      Starting your own company or being self-employed in Greece is not easy for non-locals, let alone for non-EU ...

    • Setting up a business in the Dominican Republic
      Setting up a business in the Dominican Republic

      The Dominican Republic has indeed been attracting foreign investment over the past few decades, with notable ...

    • Working in Vietnam
      Working in Vietnam

      Anyone thinking about working in Vietnam is in for a treat. Compared to many Western countries, Vietnam's ...

    • Starting a business in Italy
      Starting a business in Italy

      Are you interested in moving to Italy and setting up a business here? Italy's reputation for bureaucracy and ...

    • Internships in Qatar
      Internships in Qatar

      If you dream of acquiring professional experience in a Gulf country, Qatar can be the ideal destination for you. ...

    All guide articles