We tell you a little unknown secret about E-2 visas. Only a few investors in the world know of this shortcut. First you should know the E-2 visa is a cheapest alternative to EB-5 immigrant investor program.
Who would want to spend close to $900,000 for eb5 and the wait years and years for Green card? To me its dumb! In Europe you only have to wait for few months. Instead you invest $50,000 onwards and create 5 jobs in the US you get E2 Visa in 3 weeks for 2 years. Remember E2 is a non immigrant visa, this is great if you don’t want to live in US but visit anytime during Visa period.
E-2 vs EB-5
Here is the quick difference between the two
E2 – Investor Visa to United States ($50,000)
EB5 – Golden Visa to United States ($900,000)
Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
There is one problem with E2 visas. If you are from India, China, Nigeria, South Africa, Russia, Iraq, Lebanon etc. you cannot apply directly to E-2.
This is where Citizenship by investment kicks in. You become a citizen of Grenada or Montenegro or Turkey then apply for E2 at any US embassy nearby. Remember only these citizenship by investment programs offer E2 visa opportunity. No other passport program offer this perk
1. Grenada – $235,000
2. Turkey – $250,000
3. Egypt – $1 million
4. North Macedonia – $200,000
5. Jordan – $250,000
E-2 visas are cheaper alternative to EB-5 in terms of processing speed and cheaper investment. Certain countries such as China, Vietnam, Nigeria, Russia do not have E-2 treaty direct with US, so citizens from these countries can take advantage of CBI schemes as backdoor entry to US. Remember E-2 visas are non-immigrant visas and even family members can apply.
Key Differences
Here are some of the important difference between E-2 and EB-5 visas.
| Visa | E-2 | EB-5 |
| Visa Category | Non-immmigrant | Immigrant Visa |
| Min. Investment | $100,000 – $200,000 | $800,000 to $1.8 million |
| Visa validity | 2-5 years | Temporary Green card (2 years) |
| Green card | No | Yes |
| Job creation | 5 jobs | 10 jobs |
| Waiting time | 3 weeks | 2-15 years |
| Citizenship | No | Yes |
| Residence conditions | None | Must move and live in US. Not absent for 6 months per year |
| Quota | none | 10,000 annual limit |
| Working | Full time | Director |
| Work permit | Spouse only | Spouse and children < 21 |
| Application paperwork | Easy | Complicated / Strict rules |
| Who can apply? | E-2 treaty countries | No restrictions |
| Taxes on Worldwide income* | May be | Yes |
| Visa fee | $205 | $3,675 (I-526 petition) |
| Legal costs | $10,000 to $20,000 | $50,000 to $100,000 |
*Please seek professional tax advice before your immigrate to US.
Grenada Passport + E2 visa route package will cost you $200,000 onwards far far cheaper than EB5. Think about it.
E-2 Visa Rule change
- All E-1 and E-2 filings received on or after Dec. 23, 2022, USCIS may request additional documentation related to how the applicant obtained treaty country nationality to ensure compliance with the amended language.
- An alien who acquired the relevant nationality through a financial investment and who has not previously been granted status under this subparagraph, the foreign state of which the alien is a national and in which the alien has been domiciled for a continuous period of not less than 3 years at any point before applying for a nonimmigrant visa.
Be Careful if you step foot in US soil you could be liable to worldwide taxation. Any wealth investor would think twice. It is better not be a US resident and non immigrant visas works great. It is important plan your taxes ahead before immigrating to the US.
We assist clients through our US lawyers for E2 visas
