E2 Visa Renewal Follow our progress

[Flower Power]

Hi all, Susy asked me to post this thread which I started on Top Forum.

I know the subject of Visa renewals has been a popular one (and a scary one) so I thought I would keep a thread going with the status of ours. I have no idea if it will be renewed or what will happen but will put all the information on the forum and answer any questions if I can based on our experience. Our visa expires on July 23 2009 and our I 94 runs out June 30 2010. We will be using Brian Govoni (www.gpibrokers.com) for our annual accounts and visa renewal. The cost of the renewal is $3250.

Here goes:

July 6th 2009: Received list of all paperwork needed to complete visa:

1) Passport photos meeting the requirements at the American Embassy London website.

2) Color copies of your passports.

3) Copies of your current I-94 Cards.

4) Copies of current licenses for Flower Power.

5) Copies of last 6 months bank statements for Flower Power.

6) 4 Purchase Invoices from each of the last 6 months for Flower Power.

7) 4 Sales Invoices from each of the last 6 months for Flower Power.

8) Digital photos of the inside and outside of the store.

9) Copies of advertising and promotional materials.

10) 2007 and 2008 W-2's and 1099's.

11) Employment Summary detailing the duties performed by each worker.

July 8th 2009. Submitted our final year accounts to our accountant:

[peter gold]

What about a business plan and details of what investments you have made in the business since the initail grant of the visa???!!!

[kirtida8]

Thanks for the info and :welcome: to the site. like Peter, I am curious as to why you are not including a revised business plan - especially if you have had to adjust it due to the economy or digressed from the original?
Good luck with the application.

[peter gold]

We may have to edit the referral to your business broker as IMHO this is a one stop shop and this Forum has concerns about recommending one stop shops!
Having visited their web site I am also concerned with the unlicensed practice of law as they seem to be handling visas, real estate and business sales in one operation!

[chris]

I used the broker mentioned for our E2. He screwed up big time for us on our visa renewal. It is also worth noting that he was in partnership with a certain Doug Hall. Need I say more.
A large property management company (Kirtida will know who) described the broker mentioned as an enthusiastic amateur, but not very good. I know of someone else who used him for their GC application and he recommended to them they REDUCE their turnover as it looked too much??????? God knows why he came up with that pearl??
It just goes to show that you should tread very carefully when you put your futures in the hands of others.
On the other hand, you could do like bizboots and some others and work at the renewal yourself, save money and learn an awful lot in the process. NO-ONE knows YOUR business better the YOU.

[JulieC]

Indeed there are a lot of people now doing their own renewals, and getting through as well. I think the embassy appreciate the fact that you have done it yourself and not tried to bamboozle them with a pile of legalease. All you need is the documents you have to provide anyway to your visa consultant. All he does it put them in a binder with tabs and there are directions on the website on this and writes a covering letter. Who knows your business better than you and is more able to explain where you are today and why and where you will be tomorrow and how you will achieve this than you?? Yiou just need to put it into words.
I did my own E2 initial application myself. It isnt rocket science.

[kirtida8]

A large property management company (Kirtida will know who) described the broker mentioned as an enthusiastic amateur, but not very good.

:rofl: :rofl: That is the funniest thing I've heard in a while - talk about the pot calling the kettle black :rofl::rofl:
Seriously though - do think long and hard about how you do your renewal, and if you do use anyone - vet them thoroughly as we know only too well of too many scammers and victims. You have worked too hard to let someone else's mistakes cost you everything.

[Callie]

I also did my own renewal in Sept 06. The embassy website was all the direction I needed and I just followed the requirements line by line. The cover letter came from the heart. When I got to the interview in March 07 they did not ask for anything other than the W2's & copy of the lease. It is a straight forward process just needs time to get all your ducks in a row.
As the guys have already said beware...

[Flower Power]

All I can say is I used Brian Gxxxx (edit Sue) (best not to name names) to buy a business and get a visa, we got 5 years and the business we bought was solid. After 2 1/2 years our other shop had taken off enough to be able to sell the other business which we did for more than we bought it for. We ideally wanted a 5 year renewal and as this is our first renewal and the current state of the economy we thought best to seek the advice of professionals. I am not advertising the brokers business, I just wanted to state as many facts as I could to prove or disprove all the rumors about renewals. I have not been asked for a business plan or assets although Brian is also completing my annual accounts and has the file from the case 5 years ago.

We own the same type of business we came in on so no major changes there. As far as Brian goes he asked me last November to see one of his clients who owned a Florist and was really struggling with the economy. We went to see them and try to help them get over this tough time but they didn't want to listen to advice so closed up a few months ago. For me this supports my view that he looks after his clients before, during and after the process although everybody will have a different opinion. However, this posting is about the process and not the broker. I posted the brokers details for information only.

Once I have an update I will post it.

[florida]

hello folks,

as a thought, would it be a good idea, to post actual questions that have been asked at the embassy,????

if you are going to prepare for a interview, to know what they are going to possibly ask you, may help, even answers to questions.

should it be on its own thread

regards

florida

[chris]

Flower Power,
"However, this posting is about the process and not the broker"
If you use a VC, as your person is, then the 'broker' and the 'process' are intertwined.
An ill equiipped/amateur VC will screw up the process and the result will be denial or lass approval time than you should have got.

I would also agree with PG in his statement that this forum does not actively encourage the use of 'one stop' shops. All the evidence to date points to them being jack of all trades and masters of none. in some instances have been downright crooks.

PG also pointed out about a business plan. If anyone is going for renewal, it is an application for the 'future'. Whilst historical evidence is proof of where you have been, it is not proof of where you will go in the future, hence a business plan.

I look back on an application that your person did for us and the only input from him was writing a covering letter, which simply detailed what was attached, the fees being paid and what the paperwork was for. They put the paperwork that we supplied in a tabbed folder. Essentially our exorbitant fees went on metal tabs, a folder, postage and the damn covering letter which my 10 year old could have written. There was no 'expertise' in it. Hence I would always recommend as a first starting point doing it yourself and following the guidelines on the embassy web site. As Julie said, it is not rocket science.

[dip your toe]

As your visa runs out on July 23rd 2009 I would have thought that any sane visa consultant would have had the application completed, submitted and the interview arranged prior to that date.

Though I'm no expert.

[bizboots]

We did not write a new business plan but explained changes and plans in our cover letter.




Thanks for the info and :welcome: to the site. like Peter, I am curious as to why you are not including a revised business plan - especially if you have had to adjust it due to the economy or digressed from the original?
Good luck with the application.

[bizboots]

Hi all, Susy asked me to post this thread which I started on Top Forum.

What about proof of initial investment and ongoing investing? is one of the requirements


I know the subject of Visa renewals has been a popular one (and a scary one) so I thought I would keep a thread going with the status of ours. I have no idea if it will be renewed or what will happen but will put all the information on the forum and answer any questions if I can based on our experience. Our visa expires on July 23 2009 and our I 94 runs out June 30 2010. We will be using Brian Govoni (www.gpibrokers.com) for our annual accounts and visa renewal. The cost of the renewal is $3250.

Here goes:

July 6th 2009: Received list of all paperwork needed to complete visa:

1) Passport photos meeting the requirements at the American Embassy London website.

2) Color copies of your passports.

3) Copies of your current I-94 Cards.

4) Copies of current licenses for Flower Power.

5) Copies of last 6 months bank statements for Flower Power.

6) 4 Purchase Invoices from each of the last 6 months for Flower Power.

7) 4 Sales Invoices from each of the last 6 months for Flower Power.

8) Digital photos of the inside and outside of the store.

9) Copies of advertising and promotional materials.

10) 2007 and 2008 W-2's and 1099's.

11) Employment Summary detailing the duties performed by each worker.

July 8th 2009. Submitted our final year accounts to our accountant:

[telco]

Come on, lets stop kicking Flower Power down. They have been good enough to share their experience, good or bad.

If they feel the VC they choose is good enough for them, then that's their choice.
Flower Power, I would in future just say CPA or VC, and forget the names or people who help you.
Unfortunately there are a few here who seem to know better than every one else, and enjoy putting everyone else down.
I know a forum is a place to air ,and help, but Flower Power was not asking for help or advice. they are telling their story.
Please do not put them off doing so.

[chris]

Telco,
I don't think anyone is 'kicking' Flower Power as you suggest, nor does anyone want to put them off posting further.
I do agree that if they are happy with their choice of Visa assistance, it is their business, no one else's. But if an individual is named, complete with website address, etc, then that is perhaps a recommendation of them to other members. It is not going to be surprising that if other members have personal experience of that 'professional' they will comment too. It goes both ways.
It is good that they have listed the items as per their VC and members have pointed out in a perfectly polite way that there are some holes, which need filling. I don't see anything wrong with that. It may even prompt them to ask why these items have been omitted. Surely, the whole point of the exercise is to share information and illicit comment. From that we all learn.
We all know that there are good 'professionals' out there and not so good. It is that sharing which is important.
If you believe that it is any way criticism of Flower Power, then let's have a forum made of of lists, with no comment.
I recall biz boots and others who have been preparing for their own renewals and been less than confident about their applications based on uncertainty. In those cases the members have contributed to their eventual success by making input on information to include, etc.

[telco]

I hear what you say Chris, but it did not come over that way.

Yeah Flower power should not have listed the VC' name, but as a newbie how would they know better. A cautionary prompt to say please dont list would suffice, or an admin blanking the details.....?
Some of the feedback was good, and I am sure helpful. But most was aimed at making assumptions and listing this VC with Doug Hall. Knowing someone who has done wrong, does not make you a wrong doer. (Sounds like a chinese proverb eh?)
The aim was at the beginning of the post to list there progress. Therefore it would be "assumed" there decisions had been made on VC etc.. and with a renewal of July 09, I suspect it has. So lets just listen and if possible point out what information they could add.
And lets not beat them up on their choice of VC (good or bad).

[chris]

Nobody is beating Flower Power up.:fit::fit::fit::fit::fit:
I will not make any further comment on the 'professional' mentioned.
Does that make you happy now?

[peter gold]

Our readers will make up their own minds
For my part NO ONE STOP SHOPS !!! but each to their own We can lead them to the water but not make them drink!

[telco]

Nobody is beating Flower Power up.:fit::fit::fit::fit::fit:
I will not make any further comment on the 'professional' mentioned.
Does that make you happy now?

Never said I was unhappy, just thought Flower Power deserved better as a newbie.

[Flower Power]

Thanks for all the comments. No offence taken by any of them. To answer some questions, firstly we chose to renew our visa after our Tax year end of June 30th 2009. It was clear that 2008 was a poor year and we worked hard to increase sales and reduce costs so that we had a good set of books to submit. As a result we will be out of timescales for visa renewal but not I-94. This was discussed fully with the VC and was always our plan of action. Our business has actually grown in 2008-09 so this hopefully makes for a good application.

With reference to the VC (who this posting is not about, but for honesty and clarity I enclosed everything I felt relevant) I have worked with him for 5 years and will continue to do so. I cannot comment on other peoples experience.

I will continue to enclose all information including the transcript of the interview at the Embassy when that day arrives. If anybody has any questions in the meantime please let me know.

[chris]

Given that you are now going to be landlocked, do you plan on a London application or elsewhere?
Recently Barbados and Mexico have been used for E2 renewals. I know of one done in Barbados two weeks ago where they were given a 6 year renewal. You can also use the Bahamas. Anywhere that is willing to process TCN applications (Third Country Nationals).
It is also apparent from recent applicants that the State Dept IS taking account of the state of the economy in their adjudications.

[Flower Power]

The plan is a London application. Owning a Flower Shop means a lot of Brits come in, buy flowers, and tell you their horror stories. We have heard of problems with Barbados, London and other places so only time will tell.

We have just appointed a new employee and will be submitting the paperwork for her with the Visa to support the application.

[dip your toe]

I understood it that the Embassy asked for the last two years tax returns [ 2007 & 2008]. Any other financial statements may or may not carry some weight, but are not verifiable. Also, with new employees, the W2 from the previous tax year is the recognized document.

Again, I stress I am no expert.

[bizboots]

Chris wrote:<<I recall biz boots and others who have been preparing for their own renewals and been less than confident about their applications based on uncertainty. In those cases the members have contributed to their eventual success by making input on information to include, etc.>>

I can only say that if it were not for this forum and the advice/suggestions of the members, we could not have done it ourselves ( we were even better than our atty before LOL). Together with that and doing our homework we succeeded.

Good Luck Flower Power

[Ron]

welcome flower power, Your posts are very informative and hope all goes well for the renewal

[Susie]

Hi and a very warm welcome to our site,

Thanks for sharing your journey, very informative. Please keep us updated as to progress :)

[McSporran]

Welcome to the site Flower Power (bet you wished you hadn't bothered now mate!!;)...I'm very glad the "welcome" from some of our members didnt put you off.

Please keep posting, I'm sure your posts will help some of our members.
Wishing you all the best with your renewal.

[Flower Power]

Well I received a trial accounts on Saturday and the full accounts should be completed by today. Our owner benefit is above $50K so I am sending all the visa paperwork to the VC today via UPS so they should get it all by tomorrow.

Will keep you posted.

[jomel]

Hello Everyone,

I currently have an L-1 visa expiring on June 2010. I have no more extensions available. Filed for the GC but got a denial, based on a) I am the owner of the parent company overseas b) based on the small size of the company (6 employees) revenues more than 2 million US.

A new lawyer advised me to apply for E-2. since I am from Spain.

On the other hand my mother is a US citizen and she did file an application for me and family in Jan 2009.

MY question is: Can I apply for E-2 even though I tries to apply for GC already? This business started in 2003, since then sales have grown at least by 20% each year. In 2007 sales were $2.4 M and in 2008 went a little to $1.9M. Currently we have 8 employees.

Thank you.

[JulieC]

Hello Everyone,

I currently have an L-1 visa expiring on June 2010. I have no more extensions available. Filed for the GC but got a denial, based on a) I am the owner of the parent company overseas b) based on the small size of the company (6 employees) revenues more than 2 million US.

A new lawyer advised me to apply for E-2. since I am from Spain.

On the other hand my mother is a US citizen and she did file an application for me and family in Jan 2009.

MY question is: Can I apply for E-2 even though I tries to apply for GC already? This business started in 2003, since then sales have grown at least by 20% each year. In 2007 sales were $2.4 M and in 2008 went a little to $1.9M. Currently we have 8 employees.

Thank you.

Answer to your question is yes. We are on E2. Were previously on L1 and filed for and were denied I-140. Question of immigrant intent was not brought up at all.

[twen]

As everyone knows, we had our concerns about doing our renewal ourselves, especially as we knew that the issue would be around income from our business [not going to explain all over].

I put our renewal together myself and we included a totally revised business plan....................had we not done so then we would not have been granted our 3 years, Please, please consider including an up-dated business plan.

[brileo]

I am new to this forum, but no stranger to E2's, Our current one expires in Feb 2010, and we would love to get the next one for 5 years, does anyone have any advice on this

[Susie]

Hello Everyone,

I currently have an L-1 visa expiring on June 2010. I have no more extensions available. Filed for the GC but got a denial, based on a) I am the owner of the parent company overseas b) based on the small size of the company (6 employees) revenues more than 2 million US.

A new lawyer advised me to apply for E-2. since I am from Spain.

On the other hand my mother is a US citizen and she did file an application for me and family in Jan 2009.

MY question is: Can I apply for E-2 even though I tries to apply for GC already? This business started in 2003, since then sales have grown at least by 20% each year. In 2007 sales were $2.4 M and in 2008 went a little to $1.9M. Currently we have 8 employees.

Thank you.

Hi and a warm welcome to our site, do you have an immigration attorney working for you ? If you have been denied you can appeal the decision

If you do not have an attorney it may be best to consult with one, I cannot understand why you were denied, is your off shore company still trading profitable and employing staff

[Susie]

I am new to this forum, but no stranger to E2's, Our current one expires in Feb 2010, and we would love to get the next one for 5 years, does anyone have any advice on this


Hi and welcome to our site,

Try your hardest to achieve over and above what you put in your first business plan application,

Also make sure your company is employing as many USC/LPR or E 2 dependants as possible.

Start to look at ways to expand your business even if this mean setting up a subsidiary and diversifying from your current business

[Susie]

I would be grateful if we could keep this thread on topic for flower powers progress. If anyone would like to share there situation could you start a new thread , thanks

[brileo]

My Daughter and her family are in the USA on an "E2" visa (British Citizens)
However they have not been to a Consulate to have this stamped on their Passports, and are of course landlocked. They were told last year that the Consulate in London is clamping down on those who continually renew E2's does anyone have info on this, should they try another Consulate in another Country, they are afraid to leave the US in case they can't get back in. 2 out of their 3 kids were born here, any advice would be appreciated.

[davidmartin_uk]

I think you can see from some of the recent posts that visas are being granted by London. You don’t need to be employing the full 2 people or earning a lot of money. The recent recession is being taken into account. However you must have a business that looks like its going to come out at the end of the tunnel. A good 5 year business plan showing growth etc etc.

If they have a business that is not doing that then they had better stay in the USA and stay landlocked. The E2 is what it is - An investment visa. Not a visa for a family to live in the USA.

Dave

[Flower Power]

VISA UPDATE.

Our VC brought the paperwork to the shop to sign today. We also had to sign a form saying we would leave the US on expiration of the E-2 (new requirement from the embassy) and credit card form to pay the $131 processing fee. We have been advised the case will be submitted on Monday and we expect to receive an invite to book an appointment at the Embassy in approx 30 days time. Once we have the credit card debit on our statement we will let you know.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!

[Flower Power]

The $131 visa fee was debited by the Embassy on the 4th August so if everything went according to plan it took 8 days from Visa submission to money being debited. I suppose the next thing we hear will be the request for an appointment. We have booked our flights already (using miles and couldn't get a seat unless we booked ahead) so lets hope everything falls into place.

[peter gold]

Our VC brought the paperwork to the shop to sign today. We also had to sign a form saying we would leave the US on expiration of the E-2 (new requirement from the embassy
No it has always been the case the applicant signs and intention to depart the US statement!
Your VC worries me !!!

[Flower Power]

Our VC brought the paperwork to the shop to sign today. We also had to sign a form saying we would leave the US on expiration of the E-2 (new requirement from the embassy
No it has always been the case the applicant signs and intention to depart the US statement!
Your VC worries me !!!

We will have to wait and see. I have total confidence in my VC but time will tell. Currently they have turned round my end of year books and visa application in less than 3 weeks and it has been submitted. Timescales are important to me as I need to have this sorted during our quiet time. I cannot remember signing such a request 5 years ago when we came over.

[chris]

The statement of return has always been there. It's not new. You were usually asked to write on business stationery that you'd leave the US when the job was done, blah, blah, ie when E2 status is given up or taken away. Once in the US, it's USCIS territory.
Of course, once you have been admitted to the US by the USCIS, you come under their jurisdiction not the State Dept. Remember in the final analysis, the precious E2 Visa is simply a travel document.

[alanbcook]

Hi Flower Power,

Good luck with your application, ours is currently in the system as well, self application, money was deducted from our credit card on July 15th.

I do have a question, you say you have already booked your flights, we are still waiting to book ours as we have no idea of when the interview will be, are you going to stay a long time in the UK and wait for the interview or just hoping to get a certain date for interview?

Alan

[Flower Power]

We were advised it takes about 30 days to get an appointment and once you get an appointment they can be quite accomodationg with dates. We are staying in the UK for a few days and hope everything fits into place. We had to go ahead and book it as we are flying with points with Virgin and had to get the seats. If the dates don't work out we will just change the dates.

Good luck with the Visa

[alanbcook]

Thanks,

Makes sense, thought you would like to know we received our invitiation to interview today almost 5 weeks from the day the fees were deducted from our credit card, have e-mailed asking for an interview late september as we would like to coincide with a couple of family events while we are over, also flight prices seem to drop a bit then, i have BA miles but they are blacked out until November.

Hopefully your flights will work out right.

Good luck to you also

Alan

[chris]

Going off topic a little here concerning CC's being charged and then services being provided 5 weeks later. We deal with the 2nd largest merchant service provider for all our CC's we take and we are allowed 30 days max to charge a card then provide what the customer what they have been charged for. Methinks the Embassy is not operating their CC merchant agreement properly.

[Flower Power]

Going off topic a little here concerning CC's being charged and then services being provided 5 weeks later. We deal with the 2nd largest merchant service provider for all our CC's we take and we are allowed 30 days max to charge a card then provide what the customer what they have been charged for. Methinks the Embassy is not operating their CC merchant agreement properly.

I'll let you mention that one to the Embassy!!!!!!!!!

[Flower Power]

Thanks,

Makes sense, thought you would like to know we received our invitiation to interview today almost 5 weeks from the day the fees were deducted from our credit card, have e-mailed asking for an interview late september as we would like to coincide with a couple of family events while we are over, also flight prices seem to drop a bit then, i have BA miles but they are blacked out until November.

Hopefully your flights will work out right.

Good luck to you also

Alan

Alan, thanks for the info. How did you receive the invite. Was it an e mail, fax or call.

[alanbcook]

Hi Flower Power,

We received the interview invitation by both e-mail & fax, just heard back with a date, Sept 25th as we asked for.

I don't think i will mention the credit card at my interview!

I do have a couple of questions for anyone who has recently done this, do the embassy give you your application binder to take away or do they keep it?

Also how long are the passports taking to come back by courier?

Alan

[eirelav]

Quote: Also how long are the passports taking to comeback by courier?

My husbands interview was on the Monday and he got his passport back on the Thursday.
My daughter and I had our interview on a Tuesday and also got ours back on the Thursday. So in my experience 2 - 3 days.
Eirelav

[breezy]

Hi Flower Power,

We received the interview invitation by both e-mail & fax, just heard back with a date, Sept 25th as we asked for.

I don't think i will mention the credit card at my interview!

I do have a couple of questions for anyone who has recently done this, do the embassy give you your application binder to take away or do they keep it?

Also how long are the passports taking to come back by courier?

Alan


I had my interview just under two weeks ago (Friday 7 August). I received my passport back on Tuesday morning - 11 August. They keep your application on file.

I had a full copy of everything they had and I took this with me to the interview.

Best of luck alan. For me, the worse part was the waiting and trying to second-guess what questions you might get asked.

[breezy]

Going off topic a little here concerning CC's being charged and then services being provided 5 weeks later. We deal with the 2nd largest merchant service provider for all our CC's we take and we are allowed 30 days max to charge a card then provide what the customer what they have been charged for. Methinks the Embassy is not operating their CC merchant agreement properly.

This might be slightly off topic too but related to Chris's (the EV Poet Laureate) post. I have to set up a credit card machine facility. I've never had to do this before so I guess a good starting point will be my bank but fora newbie , what sort of factors are there to consider when choosing a credit card processor?

[chris]

Breezy,
We had to do it for the first time. I found it to be a bit of a mine field and we had a terrible time with the first company we dealt with. Happily my Bank manager gave me their merchant services provider which turned out to be RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland). It has been heaven since. I will PM you the contact information. Even here you can still support the UK!!!

[alanbcook]

Thanks all,

We will have a copy of everyting with us, as you say Breezy, the worst part is the waiting etc.

As for Credit Card processors we have been through 4 different in the past 7 years and each time the deal gets better, it is tough to start and you may find your best option is a bank that you hold an account with, once you have been trading a year or so you will start to get bombarded with offers of a better deal, if you can get a deal based on turnover instead of per transaction these usually work out cheaper, we currently use Flagship Merchant Services and this is alot cheaper than when we used to use our own banks processor.

Other factors you may need to consider are whether you need to process online payments, if so watch out for PCI compliance fees, some charge this others don,t and it can make quite a difference.

Hope this helps.

Alan

[davidmartin_uk]

I would agree. Go with your bank first of all but be mindful of two things.
1. You have to have an SS number to get merchant status
2. Be careful of any lease you sign for the POS terminal. Better to buy one If it is 5 yrs you may find it difficult to get out of if you want to change to a new provider later. I has one provider after me for a while wanting me to pay up the lease even after I had sent the equipement back at their request!!

Dave

[alanbcook]

Absolutely buy the terminal outright, if you just want a swipe terminal with inpad you can get these for around $500, much better than paying for it for the next 5 years! plus you can take it ith you if you change processors

[davidmartin_uk]

Yes.

But when you are in a rush to get credit cards into the store (one of the stores we bought already had them) you will sign anything to not turn biz away . We actually signed up to our bank. Went along signed a load of stuff. It was only later that we saw that we had signed a lease with another company (not the bank) for $60 a month for 5 yrs! for the POS terminal The equipment was going to cost us over $3000!!! Another example of very sharp practice in corporate USA. When the shop closed because of the credit crunch that leasing company tried all sorts of bully boy tactics for us to pay the remaining lease even though under their instruction they got the terminal returned in perfect condition.

Be very careful. Most big companies are out to screw you in corporate USA!!!!

Dave

[InnVic]

We got our credit merchant through Bj's (Wholesaler) Costco do a good deal too. We bought the terminal and also a debit card pad as this saves a fortune in fees.

[McSporran]

not the subject of this thread guys - please allow this to get back on track.

[Flower Power]

We have been invited to book an appointment!!!!!!

We got the call at 10 am this morning and our VC has requested September 11th at 8 am. Couple of interesting things were that they did not ask for our business plan and our credit card statements which I have seen before on postings. It has taken about 4 1/2 weeks to get an appointment which seems quick and it is 3 1/2 weeks since our fee was debited.

The further information requested for the appointment was:

1) Confirmation of lease extension (they already have this)
2) 2009 Profit and Loss (they have my figures July 08 to June 09)
3) Sales documents relating to the sale of our previous shop (they already have this)
4) DBA Licence (They have this)
5) 2008 Personal income tax return.

Of these things the only one they do not have is the Personal Tax return but we will take a folder down with all the information they need. We will be taking down our business plan also.

Could anybody who has renewed recently tell us what we are allowed to take into the Embassy, as I understand it there is a shop just down the road making a mint from security boxes.

Thanks

[McSporran]

well done mate, althought word of advice....do take your business plan with you by all means, but certainly dont give it to them unless they specifically ask for it.

I havent been to London in sometime, so not sure what the embassy let you take in, but i think its right on the front page of their web site (sure someone on here will advise).

Good luck on the 11th.

[bizboots]

Better not take anything except your paperwork.

Good Luck to you
I will be in Frankfurt on spet. 6th to get my visa put in my passport , and to Paris on the 10th, I will be thinking of you


We have been invited to book an appointment!!!!!!

We got the call at 10 am this morning and our VC has requested September 11th at 8 am. Couple of interesting things were that they did not ask for our business plan and our credit card statements which I have seen before on postings. It has taken about 4 1/2 weeks to get an appointment which seems quick and it is 3 1/2 weeks since our fee was debited.

The further information requested for the appointment was:

1) Confirmation of lease extension (they already have this)
2) 2009 Profit and Loss (they have my figures July 08 to June 09)
3) Sales documents relating to the sale of our previous shop (they already have this)
4) DBA Licence (They have this)
5) 2008 Personal income tax return.

Of these things the only one they do not have is the Personal Tax return but we will take a folder down with all the information they need. We will be taking down our business plan also.

Could anybody who has renewed recently tell us what we are allowed to take into the Embassy, as I understand it there is a shop just down the road making a mint from security boxes.

Thanks

[Flower Power]

We heard last Friday that the earliest date available was the 17th so we requested the 18th. Apparently the Embassy closes on UK and US bank holidays so on Wednesday we heard that the 18th was also taken so we got the 21st. Flights are booked so we will see what happens. Thanks for all the support. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!

[alanbcook]

Hi Flower Power,

We are interested in how you got on at the Embassy, hope everything went smoothly.

Alan

[peter gold]

Just a fyi I got a 2 year renewal for a business with few employees and barely a profit They are being much more lenient in London and seem to be giving all first time renewals (with employees!) 2 years to turn the business around

[alanbcook]

Thanks Peter,

We have an interview on Friday, this will be our 2nd renewal, last one in 2004 for 5 years.

Alan

[chris]

Alan,
Good luck for your interview. Mind your P's & Q's, and don't forget to doff your cap and lick his boots!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D. I am sure you will be fine.

[Mike Peach]

Come in Flower Power.......Where are you?

[lorraine]

Come in Flower Power.......Where are you?


Yes whats the news?

[peter gold]

Alan Good Luck and keep us posted

[McSporran]

Come in Flower Power.......Where are you?

I think they're still in the UK, but was told from someone they know that all went well....dont know any more.

[alanbcook]

Hi all,

Glad to hear all went well with Flower Powers application, Ours went well too, 5 years renewal.

Thanks

Alan

[kirtida8]

Well done Alan.

[bizboots]

Congrats Alan, 5 year peace


Hi all,

Glad to hear all went well with Flower Powers application, Ours went well too, 5 years renewal.

Thanks

Alan

[peter gold]

Well done Alan
They give 5 years on a good renewal and 2 or 3 opn a weaker one so be pleased they considered yours strong

[chris]

So your sentence was another 5 years hard labor. It's the only sentence where you don't get time off for good behaviour!!!!:D:D:D:D:D

[Craney]

Well done Alan.
Steve

[alanbcook]

Thanks everyone, looking forward to getting back real soon!

[mrsoze00]

Filing this week, and I know there is something I am missing.

I'm filing my initial E-2 myself. I'm currently under H-1b, my i-94 ends on oct 7th. I bought the equity in the h-1b company and will file my e-2 without a lawyer as an investor.

After reading this thread I realize 2 things...

1. Its fun doing it yourself, you learn so much...

2. I will include a business plan and profit and loss

I still dont know whether I should have the director of the company sign the forms and the support letter, or do so myself.

-Sözr

[Carl]

Are you filling for a new I-94 as an E2 change of status or for a E2 visa with the Embassy?


Carl.

[mrsoze00]

change of status.

-Söze

[InnVic]

Filing this week, and I know there is something I am missing.

I'm filing my initial E-2 myself. I'm currently under H-1b, my i-94 ends on oct 7th. I bought the equity in the h-1b company and will file my e-2 without a lawyer as an investor.

After reading this thread I realize 2 things...

1. Its fun doing it yourself, you learn so much...

2. I will include a business plan and profit and loss

I still dont know whether I should have the director of the company sign the forms and the support letter, or do so myself.

-Sözr


I'd seriously suggest for initial E2 that you speak to an attorney. Its only "fun doing it yourself" IF you get a visa - if you don't, you're likely to get a 30 day notice of deportation which is not fun. This seems to be a complex situation (moving from H visa to E visa) so please speak to a professional before filing.

[mrsoze00]

Thanks Innvic.

I have an attorney, and he's very good, some of the petitions he's got approved had so much hair on them it wasnt funny. Including one of my filings. But in speaking with him about my case, it seemed like I would have to do all the work. Whereas in previous filings, he put together the cover letter and presented the documents in their best light; in this case I would have had to draft almost the entire letter before he had any input.

I already had the documents assembled, so I decided to save us 5 grand. Basically I would have paid him to sign my I-129 saying that he would appear in court if things went bad. So I would pay him $5000 for the right to pay him god knows how much if I was denied. So I thought, why not just use him if I get denied, the application wasnt going to change because he put a binder on it and signed as my legal rep.

-Söze

[InnVic]

As long as you have taken advice regarding the E2 requirements and changing from H visa (still not sure why you had not considered applying for GC as this is a dual intent visa whereas E2 has no route to permanant residence) i.e amount invested must be substantial , income/profit from business (not be marginal), employees, renewals, lack of visa to travel (if just renewing status) Good luck!

[mrsoze00]

There is a great free legal advice website at th elink below. Real lawyers answer your questions in the hopes of getting your business. I already have 2 questions answered for free. I will post in a new thread as well.

http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers-search/immigration.html

-Söze

[v2002]

just a fyi i got a 2 year renewal for a business with few employees and barely a profit they are being much more lenient in london and seem to be giving all first time renewals (with employees!) 2 years to turn the business around

hypocrite!!!!!

there is no animal as a "visa specialist". Anyone can fill in forms for you but to tell you what form to use is the unlicensed practice of law which is my pet peeve.
If any member knows of anyone doing this in the state of florida please pm me as i have a way of making sure they are stopped.
__________________
i am not an attorney.

[peter gold]

Clearly V 2002 you do not understand the written English language.
In completing paperwork for the renewal of a visa I am not giving advice as to the visa needed as they already have the visa which they got through the immigartion attorney I recommended.
That is not the unlicensed practice of law as no advice (choice of visa is involved).
I await your apology and will continue to hunt down unlicensed so called "visa specialists") some of whom are very close to you!!!.

[v2002]

Clearly V 2002 you do not understand the written English language.
In completing paperwork for the renewal of a visa I am not giving advice as to the visa needed as they already have the visa which they got through the immigartion attorney I recommended.
That is not the unlicensed practice of law as no advice (choice of visa is involved).
I await your apology and will continue to hunt down unlicensed so called "visa specialists") some of whom are very close to you!!!.
Shame on you Peter Gold .."Pot calling the kettle black"
READ YOUR POST AGAIN line 1:
just a fyi i got a 2 year renewal for a business with few employees ...........

No apology to you as I did or said nothing wrong, you apologize to me for accusing me of being close to so called unlicensed "visa specialists" because
as far as my memory goes, I don't know any such person in U.S.A nor do I remember endorsing any such person on your FORUM.:fit:

[Susie]

Polite reminder to all members

Just a few of our forum rules , personal attacks or disagreements between members must not be brought to the open forum but taken up via pm's. Typing in capital letters is not allowed as this is seem to be shouting.

Please try to remember to keep threads on topic, as sometimes important threads tend to go off on a tangent

[peter gold]

Thank you Susie
I had decided not to lower myself by a reply.

[Flower Power]

Hi Flower Power,

We are interested in how you got on at the Embassy, hope everything went smoothly.

Alan

Well, back in the good old US of A!!!! We had limited access to e mails so today is our second full day back.

We got a 5 year renewal which was the main thing but here's what happened. There is a lot of detail because I want to give as much info as possible, sorry if it boring.

We got to the Embassy and now you access through Grosvenor Square, not the side entrance on the road. Seems a lot more organised than 5 years ago and when we got there at 7.30 there was a queue which slowly grew for the next hour. Once inside we were given a number (ours was E901) and sat down waiting to be called. We were called forward after about 45 minutes. and there was a total of 6 E visa's to be seen for the day. The first window was somebody who wanted to check all the fees were paid and promptly charged us another $131 (we have already paid $131) and we signed some paperwork and sat down again.

All of the E visa applicants were seen at the first window before being that window closed and all the paperwork was handed to the next visa officer. They then called all of the E2 new visa cases (of which there was 3) and they were in and out in 5 minutes. We were the first renewal and had a fun 30 minutes of grilling from the visa treaty officer.

Apparently they are no longer looking for owner benefit, they now want substantial income paid on employee tax returns for ourselves and employees. In fact, it did not matter how many employees we had, they just wanted them to earn a lot of money. They also were NOT interested in out taxable profit from our tax return.

They made us sweat and yes, at one point, we were both convinced they would refuse us. They then said, the rest of the case is solid so we have been renewed for 5 years. We had to pay $105 per person and we were away.

Once the visa had been approved the treaty officer was a lot more light hearted. I swear he was always going to give us our visa and just wanted to make us sweat. It was a complete shock when they said they had no interest in profit declared on a tax return.

We paid 15.80 sterling and received the visa back on the Friday, they quote 3 to 5 days for return.

We ticked all the boxed and then some and we were still changing our underpants after the interview.

Anyway, thats our story and we are here for another 5 years. Not sure it will help anybody but it is there if you need it.

A very relieved Flower Power

[Flower Power]

I have a question following our renewal. With our passport with a letter which states

"Please note that an employee being sent to work in the United States must be of the same nationality as the sending company. For example, a firm of UK nationality may send only UK nationals to work at the American subsidary or affiliate using E Visas"

Does this mean I can employ Brits using my E2 visa. Any advice would be much appreciated

[kirtida8]

Congrats Flower power! As to your 2nd question - I think it refers to the E-2 managerial visa applications and not to regular employees for an E-2 business. If you want to employ a manager for your business and they happen to be a Brit - then you can apply for the E-2 managerial visa as the sponsoring employer as you too are a Brit. If I am wrong on this then I am sure that someone will correct me :)

[InnVic]

Apparently they are no longer looking for owner benefit, they now want substantial income paid on employee tax returns for ourselves and employees. In fact, it did not matter how many employees we had, they just wanted them to earn a lot of money. They also were NOT interested in out taxable profit from our tax return.

It was a complete shock when they said they had no interest in profit declared on a tax return.



Congratulations on your renewal. But don't you just love the way the London Embassy appear to have carte blanch to interpret and apply the E2 guidelines however the see fit. Its none the wonder so many fall foul. :doh:

[bizboots]

Congrats Flower Power , well done , did that take a long time at the window? grilled for 30 minutes, we are always at the window a maximum of 2 minutes after 4 hour waits.
By us in Frankfurt , they did look at the overall profit and the amount of employees

[bizboots]

Flower Power wrote

"They made us sweat and yes, at one point, we were both convinced they would refuse us. They then said, the rest of the case is solid so we have been renewed for 5 years. We had to pay $105 per person and we were away."

Why did you have to pay that money??

[Flower Power]

Flower Power wrote

"They made us sweat and yes, at one point, we were both convinced they would refuse us. They then said, the rest of the case is solid so we have been renewed for 5 years. We had to pay $105 per person and we were away."

Why did you have to pay that money??

We paid $131 each visa fee (one was paid before we arrived, the other was a surprise) and $105 each reciprocate fee. apparently the UK charges US citizens so the Embassy reciprocate, this is how they explained it to me. When you are clinging for them to give you a visa I suppose you don't have a lot of choices.

[j19hnd]

Congrats Flower Power well done your thread Has been excellent and you will have helped lots of other people, you have been very brave to put your life on the line in such a public way.Well done.:):):D:D

[telco]

Well done Flower Power, and an extremely good end to a great post.

But wow, when did USCIS care what employees are paid??? In the land of the minimum wage that comment is astounding!!!

[alanbcook]

Congratulations Flower Power,

We too just arrived back in the US after our 2nd 5 year renewal, interview was alot quicker though, Visa officer was interested in how the economy was affecting us and what we were doing differently because of it, if this helps anyone.

Alan

[florida]

hello

well done flower power, its nice to hear some good news for a change, could you please clarify something.

you said you where there at 7.30

you also said they say it takes 3 to 5 days for return of passport.

could you confirm what day you where at the embassy at 7.30 am, so we know how long it actually took for your passport to make its way back to you.

regards

florida

[Ed Tha Brit]

Congratulations Flower Power,

One of the reasons our Attorney would not let us go back this time was that he felt that we were not paying our staff enough....................................maybe he writes the guidelines?????

Well done:beer::beer:

Have a nice Day

Ed Tha Brit

[peter gold]

Great News and well done both of you

[GLORIA GRAY]

Our interview was at 10.30 on thursday 10th of September. Our passports were returned by courier in Derbyshire on Monday morning. We flew out Thursday 17th. One hectic week

[chris]

Ed,
So long as you are paying no less than govt statutory minimum wage, what's it got to do with anyone but you.
There may well be recognised but informal rate for the job, but hasn't the attorney seen that the economy is in the toilet and many organisations are making their employees take pay cuts as an alternative to losing their jobs.
I just think some of theses 'experts' live in their own little world, though I guess if you're making $500 per hour or whatever attorneys make these, what's a recession???

[Flower Power]

hello

well done flower power, its nice to hear some good news for a change, could you please clarify something.

you said you where there at 7.30

you also said they say it takes 3 to 5 days for return of passport.

could you confirm what day you where at the embassy at 7.30 am, so we know how long it actually took for your passport to make its way back to you.

regards

florida

Florida, our appointment was 8am on Monday 21st September. We arrived at 7.30am because there is always a line and made sure we got through security early. We were out the door by 10 am. We were told our passport would take 3 to 5 days and it arrived Friday the 25th.

[Ed Tha Brit]

Chris,

You are right about that but, I don't want to change this section, as I said congrats to Flower Power But, it gives me an answer why he did not want us to go back to Blighty?

All the family have to come to Florida again!!!!!:)

Have a nice Day

Ed Tha Brit

[alanbcook]

Our interview was on Friday Sept 25th, arrived just before 7.30 and were let in soon after, we were out by around 9.30 and our passports were returned Wednesday 30th.

FYI no mention was made to us of staff wages

Al

[chris]

Alan,
It's all to do with the roll of dice the staff do before an interview!! I guess roll double 6 and you get employees questions. The official rolling the dice on your interview obviously didn't get double 6.:):):):):):):):)
It should have the word 'Casino' above the door.
I still think InnVics suggestion about having scratch off cards makes the best idea. You either get a 2, 5 renewal or a denial. Scratch off cards must have the same odds.

[chris]

Forgot to mention this. There is a thread going on FF which details an E2 couple's experience in renewing in Mexico. it makes excellent reading. They too got 5 years and they have 1 employee. They didn't have to send paperwork in advance, they took it with them in a ring binder, which incidentally made the official laugh when he saw the thickness of it. They did have to return to the place 2 hours later as the guy had chance to review the paperwork, but that's seems more practical than everything in advance with London. They didn't have to store their phones, etc at a nearby Chemists like London, but were able to take them into the Consulate where they were kept in a separate room. Also their costs for the exercise were much lower than going to London. The poster said they had checked thoroughly beforehand for renewals Mexico and pretty much ALL the US Embassies and Consulate offices there will do TCN (Third Country National) E2 renewals.

[alanbcook]

We prefer London because it also gives us a chance to spend some time with family while over there.

[InnVic]

We prefer London because it also gives us a chance to spend some time with family while over there.

problem is that for some folks they get to spend more time than they bargained for!

[InnVic]

Alan,
I still think InnVics suggestion about having scratch off cards makes the best idea. You either get a 2, 5 renewal or a denial. Scratch off cards must have the same odds.

I just thought they have a green card lottery so why not a visa scratch card! LOL :rofl:

[mrsoze00]

What's FF? another forum?

-Söze

[chris]

InnVic,
You are so funny. You should do comedy club on embassies.
Thinking about it, you could do stand up for a while than apply for either an entertainer visas or exceptional talent visa:):):):):):)
Mrs Soze.. FF stands for Florida Forum..it's another forum

[mrsoze00]

Thanks Chris,

Incidentally,

I filed my change of status from H-1B to E-2 by fedex last friday without a lawyer, it seems I at least included the right documents and I was not out of status because USCIS cashed my check on monday and it posted to my account today. My I-94 ran out yesterday (wed oct 7th), and my visa ran out on sept 27th. I'm waiting for the receipt notice. If I get that, whatever happens, they won't do anything until december.

-Söze

[chris]

If you get your application into USCIS before the I-94 expires, then your status will not be affected and you remain legal all the while they are processing your application.

[InnVic]

If you get your application into USCIS before the I-94 expires, then your status will not be affected and you remain legal all the while they are processing your application.

except your driving permit will have probably expired on the date of the I-94...so your insurance is invalid etc...

[mrsoze00]

I live in the city so I don't have a car. Public transportation is amazing around here. I still like to have my state ID though, and that expired with my H-1B.

-Söze

[JulieC]

I live in the city so I don't have a car. Public transportation is amazing around here. I still like to have my state ID though, and that expired with my H-1B.

-Söze

Where are you then?? Public transport is practically non existant where we are in Florida. Good luck with the application.

[mrsoze00]

Most cities in the south tend to be car towns. I live in NY, it's all trains and buses up here.

-Söze

[chris]

Mrs Soze,
Yes NY is like much of the UK cities and towns in that it has infrastructure. I would more accurately describe towns/cities in the south as third world than car towns. They have yet to grasp the benefits of integrated transport.:D:D

[InnVic]

Mrs Soze,
I would more accurately describe towns/cities in the south as third world than car towns. They have yet to grasp the benefits of integrated transport.:D:D

You haven't been to Vermont then LOL!!!

[Clulavado]

Hi,

Could anyone give me an idea of the usual length of time between applying for a working visa renewal and receiving it. Also, how long before it expires can you apply?

Thanks a lot
Sara

[byjove]

my work visa took 8 months, with no rhyme nor reason. Hope this helps