E2 renewal

[another1]

Does anyone have any advice on how to do our own E2 renewal. Attorney fees are incredible for these applications and I'm sure many expats have done their own to keep down costs. Thanks for your help.

[dip your toe]

All down to confidence IMHO.

We received our completed application back from our attorney from our last renewal. All she had done was collate the information we had sent her, tab it for reference and attached a cover letter. We shall be doing our own next time based on this example plus reading up on any changes in the application requirements via the Embassy website. If you wish to add a business plan then there are numerous software programs available, just google "business plan software reviews". There is a 60 day free trial with "businessplanpro."

If you like I can look out our previous application and let you know how it was formatted.

[peter gold]

PM me your e mail address and I will send a draft to you and the rules
As long as you have your original app in an edictable form it is not difficult with some help

[another1]

:( After reading what is required, we have reluctantly decided to go for an extension of stay as we are very marginal and no employees....Long story but hopefully will be fulfilling all the requirements this year. Any advice on I-94 extension would still be much appreciated.........Thanks

[kelly graves]

we have just got back from renewing our I-94 in the Domican Republic as our attorney quoted 5200 dollars to renew them from here, so we paid 2400 dollars for a beautiful vacation in the Dominican, with one month to spare and immigration said welcome home woohoo

[chris]

Kelly..well done. just goes to show DIY can be done properly with a great outcome.
Another1... if you are working on extending your status, you will need to get the USCIS forms. I-129 for the Visa holder and I-539 for dependants (spouse & any kids). Fees are about $700-$800 unless the USCIS have increased them. You can pay for priority processing which cuts the timescale down considerably.The forms are pretty straightforward and they tell you where to send them.
We have been extending status since 2002 and so have done about 4. They do get harder each year. Like you we have no employees, so we have to show impact on the economy in the wider sense. We submit what is almost like a Visa renewal package, but to USCIS. It has all the same paperwork in it. We even use the same metal clips!!
If you take your time, seek advice from the forum, and don't try to BS the USCIS you'll be OK. Last time I was even snotty with them pointing out that the 2 year cycle of renewing status made it difficult to invest or lease equipment because they look for longer lease terms, etc. It didn't do us any harm, but I hoped it would make them sit up and think what restrictions they place us under in trying to run and grow our businesses.

[JulieC]

Think Kelly was just renewing 1-94 by leaving the country, Chris. So not a DIY application as such. Only available for those with a valid visa.

Well done though, Kelly, by the way. You never really know how you will be treated at POE until you arrive there. We had no problems coming back from Costa Rica.

[chris]

Sorry, misread. I guess I saw $5000+ and my brain automatically thought Visa renewal! Wow over $5000 just to extend the I-94's. Perhaps that is a business opportunity that beckons. Sounds like money for old rope IMHO.
I guess that amount the Attorney wanted to charge just about sums up this place. All they want is your money, then they spit you out when it's gone.
Even so, for about $700 you could have filed yourself and saved another $1400, though you wouldn't have got a holiday!

[peter gold]

I am sorry I do not see this as a cause to celebrate.
Kelly is in status for three months but has no valid travel visa. She will have problems with driving license renewala etc.
If the E-2 cannot be renewed at a Consul then why not file for an extension of status and be in status but landlocked.
I have never advocated nor supported being landlocked as it is only putting off the evil day and eventually you go back for good or face the Consul for a renewal and have to explain away why you did not renew with them and chose to saty in status but with an expired E-2 visa
I would like to hear if anyone has had a successful renewal after missing their due renewal date and extending status in the US.
I am not trying to be negative here but looking at the whold and long term E-2 renewal picture

[JulieC]

I am sorry I do not see this as a cause to celebrate.
Kelly is in status for three months but has no valid travel visa. She will have problems with driving license renewala etc.
If the E-2 cannot be renewed at a Consul then why not file for an extension of status and be in status but landlocked.
I have never advocated nor supported being landlocked as it is only putting off the evil day and eventually you go back for good or face the Consul for a renewal and have to explain away why you did not renew with them and chose to saty in status but with an expired E-2 visa
I would like to hear if anyone has had a successful renewal after missing their due renewal date and extending status in the US.
I am not trying to be negative here but looking at the whold and long term E-2 renewal picture

The driving license place look at your I-94 not your visa so she should not have any problems with renewing her license. The 1-94 she got will keep her in E-2 status for two years so I don't understand the three months bit.
Apart from that, I agree with you. It is putting the evil day off. And no I dont know of anyone who has successfully done a visa renewal after extending status. Anyone know of anyone???

[peter gold]

The I 94 is not always extended for 2 years if the visa has not been renewed and status not extended

[JulieC]

The I 94 is not always extended for 2 years if the visa has not been renewed and status not extended

They should do so on E-2. On the couple of reported instances of POE officers not giving the full two years, the people concerned were able to successfully get their 1-94s amended so they got the two years. The only cases I have heard of of people not getting the two years at all was on cruises where the 1-94 was never taken in the first place. Kelly doesnt say anywhere that she didnt get two years. You can bet if she only got an I-94 to the end of her visa she would have mentioned it!

[kelly graves]

Hi

just to kept you updated, our E2 expires Apr 10 we got our I 94's stamped until March 12, the immigration officer did have to look our visa up in a small red book, he then stamped our visas, and just to make sure i asked him, did he date it for 2012 and he replied yes ma'am
I totally understand everyone concerns, but i wasn't going to gamble our visa's. Like everyone else we have been extremely hit by the recession, i have every intention of renewing before the 2 years are up, my feelings are, if i cant get this company functioning properly within 1 more year, it will then give me 1 clear year to pick my ball up and move elsewhere - like everyone else i came here with great intentions and high hopes, but now
i feel completely different, and my goal now is to "try" to get another 5 years out of my visa, so my children can finish their education, then move on to somewhere that actually wants us

[Denise100]

I have picked up this thread and am about to start the process of E2 renewal - expires Sept 10. I have some questions: We are UK citizens.

Can the renewal be done in the USA with USCIS without the need to go for "interview" in London? Can renewal be approved here then visit Consulate to have visa inserted?

I94 stamp - I read above that the entry date based on E2 visa should have been stamped for 2yrs - instead ours was stamped (we travelled to Uk DEc09)) only to Sept 09 - the date of our E2 expiry. Can I get that changed (we are travelling there again in June 10 - should I wait and speak to officer on POE?).

I am not sure that Sept 10 for renewal is going to give us a good strong case to put forward and would like to leave it till another full years accounts are available as this year (2010) already shows more growth and we will have more capital invested and another employee in the next 3-6mths. How can I achieve that without jeopardising the renewal of the E2.

Lastly - if I have the I94 stamped for 2yrs ahead - but not yet renewed the E2 visa when expired - can I still travel freely or not?

Thanks,

[byjove]

If your E2 expires you are landlocked on your i94 I am afraid!

[chris]

You can only renew your E2 travel visa at an embassy or consulate abroad, preferably your home country.
If you decide not to renew your travel visa, you will still need to maintain your legal immigration status with USCIS via your I-94 card.
The downside of allowing your travel visa to expire and remain in the US on your I-94 is as ByJove says you are landlocked. You can still leave the USA, but when you do you leave behind whatever status you had. You can then only re-enter either on VWP or by renewing your E2 travel visa

[phadoo]

I am trying to do my E2 renewal. Can you please help?

[Trident260]

Hi everyone,

We are also newbie E2's, and have had a tough ride setting up shop in the US. We formed a C corp, but have changed direction (due to the fact our original market dried up in late 2008) and our new business model is looking quite good (although still very early days).

I would prefer to renew my Visa from within the US if that was possible, just so we could build a bigger equity before leaving. I'm concerned because in the two years we've been here we've added little value to the US economy, but in the last few months it has become clear that we will do so.

I do not wish to contravene the regulations, but if there is a way I can buy some time (eg by updating my I-94) I would feel much more comfortable reapplying for my E2 once this new venture has a bit more of a track record.

Can anyone advise me on the options, and the implications of this?

Thanks,
John

[davidmartin_uk]

Go on a trip out of the USA for a week or so, not Mexico or Canada and make sure when you return that the I94 is stamped for another 2 years. Its as simple as that. However you will be landlocked and if you leave the USA during the new I94 time you will not be allowed back in as you have no visa any more.

Dave

[charliesmum]

We renewed our I94s in January by flying out of the US to Toronto - we only stayed a couple of nights. 2 years ago we renewed by flying to the Bahamas and staying overnight.

The paperwork for renewing internally is nearly as extensive as an Embassy renewal, so if your E2 Visa is still valid, this is a good way to get another 2 years extension.

Zoe

[chris]

Hi everyone,

We are also newbie E2's, and have had a tough ride setting up shop in the US. We formed a C corp, but have changed direction (due to the fact our original market dried up in late 2008) and our new business model is looking quite good (although still very early days).

I would prefer to renew my Visa from within the US if that was possible, just so we could build a bigger equity before leaving. I'm concerned because in the two years we've been here we've added little value to the US economy, but in the last few months it has become clear that we will do so.

I do not wish to contravene the regulations, but if there is a way I can buy some time (eg by updating my I-94) I would feel much more comfortable reapplying for my E2 once this new venture has a bit more of a track record.

Can anyone advise me on the options, and the implications of this?

Thanks,
John

It's all a matter of confidence on your part.
The USCIS review applications for E2 extensions of status in the same way that the Embassy reviews your E2 renewal application. The big difference is of course, you get to speak to the Embassy official, you do not with USCIS.
Because of the face to face contact, people have been able to feedback that the London Embassy has been very understanding of the situation that most businesses have been facing in the US. Survival is probably cause for celebration these days.
You clearly have got to grips quickly with business reality and changed tack to ensure your survival as a business and plot its future success. IMHO I would go for a Visa renewal, rather than a USCIS extension of status.
A business plan is a useful addition to the application, but I am a strong believer in explaining your business journey since arriving, the pitfall you have have experienced and what you as the business owner have done to keep moving forward. Your contribution to the US economy can be greater than you think it is, depending on what you do. If your say a lawn care company, after buying equipment, your only outgoing is gas, which helps the local gas station and that's about it. However, if you are buying from suppliers or manufacturers and reselling then you are helping provide or maintain the jobs of all those suppliers/manufacturers you deal with. We are B2B and source stuff from suppliers all over the US. To illustrate our 'indirect effect' on the US economy, we listed every single supplier by state. I was quite proud after I'd done it as to how many Americans were helping keep their jobs. Of course if you have employees, then that is a great plus and easier to quantify the success of the business, but if you don't, then indirect effect is the way to go and show.
From your post you should have little difficulty. Go for it.

[JulieC]

Hi everyone,

We are also newbie E2's, and have had a tough ride setting up shop in the US. We formed a C corp, but have changed direction (due to the fact our original market dried up in late 2008) and our new business model is looking quite good (although still very early days).

I would prefer to renew my Visa from within the US if that was possible, just so we could build a bigger equity before leaving. I'm concerned because in the two years we've been here we've added little value to the US economy, but in the last few months it has become clear that we will do so.

I do not wish to contravene the regulations, but if there is a way I can buy some time (eg by updating my I-94) I would feel much more comfortable reapplying for my E2 once this new venture has a bit more of a track record.

Can anyone advise me on the options, and the implications of this?

Thanks,
John

Agree with the other two posts. If your visa is still valid and you dont need to be able to travel, then leave the US and return and get a new two year I-94. As stated be careful where you are going. The Bahamas seems to work if you fly but not if you go on a cruise. This would give you two more years for things to get better in your business before you either go for another visa or an extension from USCIS.