E2 Visa surge
Increasing numbers of Brits are moving to the United States under E-2 Visas. According to latest figures from the office of National Statistics in London, in 2002 1,876 E-2 visas were issued for people from Britain.
In 2003 the figure rose to 2,266 and that figure rose again by 30% to 2,966 in 2004. To qualify for an E-2 visa a person must have at least $100,000 to invest into an American business. There are many other requirements, such as employing local staff, retaining a company at home, etc but an entire industry has grown up to match hopeful Brits and other foreigners with potential business opportunities and advise on immigration and business laws. Unfortunately, a number of these turn out to be fraudulent ways of parting uninformed foreigners from their money. Some of the businesses purchased don’t actually exist or are grossly misrepresented, and some of the immigration advisors are not actually qualified to give advise. People seriously interested in following this path should hire both an immigration lawyer and an accountant using personal recommendations when possible. When looking at potential businesses, if one is asked for non-refundable deposits or money up front – then look elsewhere.
Posted on 2 May 2005
