Houston Investor Lawyer

The E-2 treaty investor visa category is designed for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to make a substantial business investment in the United States. Only nationals of the eighty-two countries that maintain a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation with the United States are eligible for the E-2 visa. 

The E-2 Treaty Investor visa is an ideal solution for investors looking for a visa with no minimum investment amount and no limit on visa renewals. E-2 investors may purchase a franchise, open a new business, or revitalize an existing business. An E-2 investor and qualifying family members may reside in the US as long as the E-2 business is operational, generating a profit and creating jobs.

Our expert E-2 attorneys will guide you through the six-step E-2 application process:

• Choose your business 
• Make your investment 
• Complete your five-year business plan 
• Prepare your E-2 case 
• Complete visa processing & interview 
• Travel to the U.S. 

While the E-2 visa does not lead directly to permanent residency, there are many options for E-2 investors who choose to convert their E-2 status to U.S. permanent residence. Our experienced attorneys will provide you with a detailed immigration assessment from the outset of your case, providing you with guidance and advice for becoming a U.S. permanent resident through your business investment. Other pathways to permanent residency may also be available, depending on facts specific to each client’s circumstances. Some common ways for E-2 investors to acquire U.S. permanent residence include the following: 

1. Invest $900k or $1.8m to qualify for EB-5 
2. PERM Labor Certification & Employer Sponsorship 
3. Family Based Immigration Options
4. EB-1/EB-2 NIW

The EB-5 visa, also known as citizenship by investment, provides a direct pathway to US permanent residence and US citizenship. The United States grants 10,000 visas every year to people who invest at least 1.8 million dollars and create at least 10 new jobs. In areas experiencing high unemployment – also known as Targeted Employment Areas (TEA), the required amount is reduced to $900,000, with the 10-job requirement remaining unchanged. Because the 10 new jobs cannot be given to family members or independent contractors, success can be especially tricky. 

EB-5 investors may make their investment of $900,000.00 through a regional center or by direct investment if the investment project is located in a TEA. As stated above, if the project is not located in a TEA, then the minimum investment amount is $1.8 million whether the investor chooses the regional center investment or direct investment strategy. At The Law Office of Lindsey J. Harris, we’re proud to be the knowledgeable, dependable allies you need. Thanks to more than a decade of experience with the ins and outs of immigration, we bring invaluable expertise and dedication to your situation.

• Regional Center – Per USCIS, “An EB-5 regional center is an economic unit, public or private, in the United States that is involved with promoting economic growth. Regional centers are designated by USCIS for participation in the Immigrant Investor Program.” Regional centers act as intermediaries between foreign EB-5 investors and developers who need foreign investment to fund EB-5 -approved projects. Regional centers may facilitate investment into a variety of projects including multi-family housing, luxury condos, resorts, malls, high-rises, green technology, infrastructure development projects, and more. 90-95 % of EB5 investment is done through regional centers.    
• Direct Investment – EB-5 investors may invest their money into an individual project not connected with a regional center. The investor may create a new business or may choose to revitalize a troubled business. A qualifying enterprise should fulfill the job creation requirement and must satisfy the minimum investment amount of $900k in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1.8 million outside of a TEA. Direct investments may fund nearly any enterprise including restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, retail stores, etc.   

Typically, EB-5 investors will receive their immigrant visas or conditional green cards between 16-21 months after they apply. However, Mainland Chinese nationals have a much longer wait time due to the backlog, which is now over 10 years. Indian nationals may also be subject to a backlog which could delay the immigration process for Indian investors to 4-5 years. Twenty-one months after the conditional green card is issued, EB-5 investors must apply to remove the conditions on their residence by showing that their investment is still in place and the project has continued to meet program requirements. EB-5 investors and their qualifying relatives may apply for US citizenship after they have been permanent residents of the US for a total of five years.

In addition to U.S. citizenship, which is the primary benefit of the EB-5 program, investors have the opportunity to earn return on their investment (ROI), which typically ranges from .25 – 4%, depending on the project and the chosen regional center. Most regional centers pay back the full $900k investment plus interest, once the immigrant investor receives their permanent, 10-year green card.     

Due to the complex and long-lasting nature of this immigration strategy, it’s essential to have expert professional support. The Law Office of Lindsey J. Harris is ready to stand by you over the long term and work hard to protect your interests. 

Contact us today to learn more.

The L-1A visa authorizes temporary employment of an executive or upper-level manager transferred from a foreign company to a related U.S. company, which is typically a branch or subsidiary of the foreign company. The visa can be extended for a total of 7 years. The L-1B visa is available to employees with specialized knowledge of the organization’s business operations. The L-1B visa may also be used for an employee’s temporary relocation to the U.S. to assist with the establishment of a new branch of the parent organization.  

For more detailed information about L-1 visa options, please visit our employment-based services page.

To be a business owner is a dream for many of our clients and our mission is to make that dream a reality. Our law office provides turn-key solutions for our clients who want to be their own boss.  Our team of experts will handle your business entity formation, prepare your business’ operating agreement, and reserve your company’s name. We offer a variety of professional services including digital marketing, residential and commercial real estate, educational planning, and more!