E-2 Renewal approval

[Craney]

Hi guys,

Just to let you know we went to the Embassy on Friday and got 5 yrs. It looked like they only looked at profit and loss sheet, and from what the officer said they were taking poor economy into account. Interview lasted only 5 mins, a couple of basic, generic business questions, and we were out by 10.30. We were 1st in but 2nd last out, 11 E-2 in total, and all before us were approved.

We were pretty confident to be honest, we've 11 employees, paying ourselves a decent wage etc, but still has your stomach in knots during the wait!

Craney

[peter gold]

Congrats and thanks for the report

[kirtida8]

Congrats Steve. Must be a relief.

[dip your toe]

We were pretty confident to be honest, we've 11 employees, paying ourselves a decent wage etc, but still has your stomach in knots during the wait!


We know exactly how you feel, I don't think there is ever going to be a time when, regardless of how well your business is doing and how confident you are, that you can go through the renewal process without that sickening feeling inside knowing that someone you've never met has control over your destiny.

Congrats. Relax and enjoy.

[britcan]

Well done!

[hollaka79]

Yay, way to go Steve. Saw your Dad Friday and he hadnt heard yet, we were all dying to know. Well done, there's hope for us yet!!

:)

[Susie]

Hi guys,

Just to let you know we went to the Embassy on Friday and got 5 yrs. It looked like they only looked at profit and loss sheet, and from what the officer said they were taking poor economy into account. Interview lasted only 5 mins, a couple of basic, generic business questions, and we were out by 10.30. We were 1st in but 2nd last out, 11 E-2 in total, and all before us were approved.

We were pretty confident to be honest, we've 11 employees, paying ourselves a decent wage etc, but still has your stomach in knots during the wait!

Craney


Many congratulations, It is pleasing to hear they are giving 5 year visas and taking into account the economy


Hope you mentioned our site to the other people who got approved :)

[Susie]

Hi guys,

Just to let you know we went to the Embassy on Friday and got 5 yrs. It looked like they only looked at profit and loss sheet, and from what the officer said they were taking poor economy into account. Interview lasted only 5 mins, a couple of basic, generic business questions, and we were out by 10.30. We were 1st in but 2nd last out, 11 E-2 in total, and all before us were approved.

We were pretty confident to be honest, we've 11 employees, paying ourselves a decent wage etc, but still has your stomach in knots during the wait!

Craney

With that number of staff and assuming you made a good profit, it may be possible for your company to sponsor you for labor cert (I 140) and if approved then this is the go ahead to apply for your green card

[Craney]

Thanks all,

I don't think there is anything worse than the build up to the interview, at least now we have a bit of time to put our plans into action!!!
I think now is probably a good time to visit the Embassy, but we still hear the occasional horror story to give us the willies again.
It's so expensive to keep going back to London too. We saved some money as Lisa did our visa application herself, but that was a worry too - even though I know she is as sharp as a tack and our application was far superior to our original E-2 application.

Anyway, back on Sunday if our passports have arrived!

[byjove]

well done you

[lorraine]

:)Excellent news congratulations to you, break out the bubbly!!:)

[timjotom]

Well done Congratulations!

[bizboots]

Congratu;lations !!!!!!!! what a relief, who knows the law has changed in our favor in that period of time
we are having the jitters right now for the July 7 interview in Frankfurt



Thanks all,

I don't think there is anything worse than the build up to the interview, at least now we have a bit of time to put our plans into action!!!
I think now is probably a good time to visit the Embassy, but we still hear the occasional horror story to give us the willies again.
It's so expensive to keep going back to London too. We saved some money as Lisa did our visa application herself, but that was a worry too - even though I know she is as sharp as a tack and our application was far superior to our original E-2 application.

Anyway, back on Sunday if our passports have arrived!

[chris]

Well done. All renewals are welcome news in the present climate.
Read on another forum that a visa applicant who had done B1/2-E2 change of status via USCIS had applied for an E2 Visa via Barbados. They went last week and were given a 6 YEAR E2 visa!!!! So that blows a hole in the max 5 year theory. I am sure a pair of dice are standard state dept issue, either that or they have special training in coin tossing!!
Although the 6 year visa folks was great news, they did say quite a few applicants were being denied due to low or no employees, etc. So it still isn't plain sailing by any means.

[JulieC]

Well done. All renewals are welcome news in the present climate.
Read on another forum that a visa applicant who had done B1/2-E2 change of status via USCIS had applied for an E2 Visa via Barbados. They went last week and were given a 6 YEAR E2 visa!!!! So that blows a hole in the max 5 year theory. I am sure a pair of dice are standard state dept issue, either that or they have special training in coin tossing!!
Although the 6 year visa folks was great news, they did say quite a few applicants were being denied due to low or no employees, etc. So it still isn't plain sailing by any means.

Worth mentioning though that theirs was a large commercial landscaping and irrigation company with lots of employees ( more than two years ago) and better figures than two years ago.

[InnVic]

We have a theory that instead of employing people at the embassy to adjudicate E2 visa they should just sell scratch cards! WIN Two year, five year or denial! Its probably as subjective as the method they currently use! ;-)

[chris]

Scratch cards, preferably Green, sounds a great idea.
On the company that got a 6 year E2 visa and the fact that they are a large landscaping company employing lots of people, it just goes to show;
a) what a lottery system it all is, but more importantly;
b) I would have thought that the size of company and workforce would probably put their company in value to the same level as EB5 investment level. This is where the E2 gets all silly and highlights what an unfair and out of date visa it really is. Someone doing that turnover and employing that number of USC's should have the USA clamouring for them to stay permanently instead of putting them through hell every 2, 4, 5 , 6 or whatever number they think of next.
That company has likely got a sizeable chunk of investment behind it in the form of capital equipment which is purchased with a life span mind. How on earth you can make commercial decisions of that magnitude with the level of insecurity on E2 is beyond me.

Importantly on the subject of immigration reform, I noted an article last week where the Pres had been murmuring about overall immigration reform and that he favors an amnesty for illegals. Whilst we all have views for and against, remember the term 'overall reform'. This is where E2'rs who care about achieving change should be doing something more than counting their dollars. Zoe has started the ball rolling again on the E2 Visa reform, but more importantly Obama has appointed Janet Napolitano, head of DHS as 'point man' on the reform issues. I suggest all who want to see change, no matter how small put pen to paper and start sending those begging letters to her.

[byjove]

I have quoted the last paragraph you wrote Chris on my facebook group "make E2 path to citizenship or at least green card for children" and posted to members about signing Zoes E2reform petition. My friends are more than willing to add their names to the list.

In fact they are already starting a petition for us already!