10 E-2 visas issued for Grenada in 2018

A total of 10 E-2 visas issued to Grenada nationals according to the latest report released by State department. The E-2 visa classification is a non-immigrant visa classification issued to investors in US businesses.   E-2 visas are considered cheap, best and fastest alternative to EB-5 immigrant investor program.

Grenada is not the only country that has both citizenship by investment (CBI) program and E-1/E-2 treaty with United States.

Turkey issued close to 600 E-1/E-2 classification visas, while Bulgaria issued 80 visas which is significantly more than Grenada for 2018.   Turkey launched CBI program offering citizenship to real estate buyers for $250,000 in 2018.

E-1/E-2 Treaty countries

Montenegro had one of the oldest treaties with United States since 1882, when it was former state of Yugoslavia.

E-1 or E-2 visas are issued carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country, or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested, or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital.

• The E1 non-immigrant classification allows nationals of a treaty country to be admitted to the United States solely to engage in international trade on their own behalf.
• The E2 non-immigrant classification allows a national of a treaty country to be admitted to the United States when investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.

The total number E-1/E-2 visas slightly declined worldwide in 2018, according the State department.

An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident. The spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status following the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principle alien’s country of nationality.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States. The embassy serves citizens of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.

On May 31, 2019, the Department of State updated its immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms to request additional information, including social media identifiers, from most U.S. visa applicants worldwide as a part of vetting.

E-2 Qualified treaty investors and employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of two years. Requests for extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to two years each.  There is no maximum limit to the number of extensions an E-2 nonimmigrant may be granted.

To qualify for the visa as Grenada citizen

• The investor, either a person, partnership or corporate entity, must have the citizenship of a treaty country.
• If a business, at least 50 percent of the business must be owned by persons with the treaty country’s nationality.
• The investment must be substantial, with investment funds or assets committed and irrevocable. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
• The investment must be a real operating enterprise, an active commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking. A paper organization, speculative or idle investment does not qualify. Uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security are not considered an investment.
• It must generate significantly more income than just to provide a living to you and family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United States.
• Have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense.
• Loans secured with the assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed.
• You must be coming to the United States to develop and direct the enterprise. If you are not the principal investor, you must be considered an essential employee, employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity.  Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.

For Grenada

• E-2 Visa application fee: $205
• E-2 Visa issuance fee: $0

Source: State Department – Visas for Grenada

Wait times US Embassy at Bridgetown, Barbados for Grenada nationals

E-2 CNMI Investor Status (E2C)  visa classification allows foreign, long-term investors to remain lawfully present in the CNMI through December 31, 2029, while they resolve their immigration status. This classification is intended to help as the CNMI transitions from the CNMI permit system to U.S. immigration laws. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

E-2 applicants must apply for DS-160 form online and schedule for an interview