E-2 Renewal Timeline

[Paul King]

Hello everybody,

I have been browsing this forum for a little while and it has been very useful. Just a quick note to let everyone know the timeline for my E-2 renewal in case it is of interest to anyone currently waiting:

Submitted - December 8th 2006
Rejected for stupid cosmetic reasonons - January 23rd 2007
Resubmitted - January 25th
Email invitation to arrange a visa interview - May 8th 2007

Will report on progress when I get the interview appointment.

Don't let the fact that the current process is making it very difficult for some people to get visas put you off - things usually work out in the end if you are determined (and have a good immigration attorney :-).

Regards

Paul King

[Susie]

Hello and welcome to our site


Hope your interview goes well and look forward to the types of Q and A's that are asked and hope you can share with us


I have sent you a private message

[Munish]

:welcome:

[kirtida8]

:welcome: and good luck - I am extending mine at the moment will let you know how it goes.

[DEE F]

Hi Paul and :welcome: from me as well,good luck.

Love Dee xx

[Jax]

Hi and welcome we are waiting for our interview date

[Paul King]

Thanks for all your welcomes - I've been through this E-2 process all before (as well as H-1B and labor certification, twice, unsuccessfully - don't ask, it was circumstances beyond my control both times). I arrived in the US nearly 10 years ago. I know nothing about visas is easy, but that everything generally works out in the end. E-visas were actually created to encourage trade between the US and the treaty country right!? Will keep you all posted on progress.

[Paul King]

We received an email reply back from the embassy (in less than 24 hours) saying all the dates we requested for our visa interview were available except for July 26th when the embassy is closed.

I have requested July 23rd 2007 (E2 appointments are at 10:30 AM GMT) and the next step is to receive the confirmation letter (I will not book flights etc. until I receive that).

[timjotom]

Good Luck with your interview Paul. We have ours 4th June so not long now!!!

Will let you know what happens.

Joanne

[Kriz1]

Thanks for all your welcomes - I've been through this E-2 process all before (as well as H-1B and labor certification, twice, unsuccessfully - don't ask, it was circumstances beyond my control both times). I arrived in the US nearly 10 years ago. I know nothing about visas is easy, but that everything generally works out in the end. E-visas were actually created to encourage trade between the US and the treaty country right!? Will keep you all posted on progress.


Pity about the H1B being unsuccessful...but glad to see you're very upbeat about everything...:welcome:

[Paul King]

timjotom, thanks, the process has changed since our first E-2 application. Previously E-2 status was granted to the company prior to scheduling the appointment and you just had to turn up to get a visa (a formality). Delaying approval until you actualy have a face-to-face interview makes this a more difficult process for people who are already in the US and just want to renew their E-2 status.

Worse-case scenario is that the application is denied when I turn up with my family at the embassy and when I return to the US (on a visitor's visa) I'm not allowed to work for my own company until we get the decision overturned! Crazy, but possible. Luckily I'm in a small state (Vermont) where my immigration attorney has direct access to the senator's office and could actually do something about a "denial". I'm not going to worry about all that until/unless it happens - I have too much to do running my business in the first place.

Hope your process goes smoothly.

[Kriz1]

I don't know if it helps....but most of the people outside of FL that I know have no problem with getting or renewing their visa....I've tried to get a few to join here...but no joy so far...

[Paul King]

Kriz1,

The H1-B was fine - it was trying to get my position labor certified so I could apply for permanent residence that didn't work out because the application process was soooo long in NYC. By the time I had the first one approved I had switched to another employer, and by the time ththe second one was going to be approved they had to fire a load of people (not me :-) which invalidated my labor certification for that job.

The whole visa thing is just a game you have to learn how to play - having a good immigration attorney helps too.

[InnVic]

Hi Paul - we're in Chester VT (been on vacation so haven't been keeping up/posting for ten days now)
Our renewal is currently in - sent february 2007 so hope to hear about the time you go for interview - not planning trip back to UK till November though so hope they can accommodate with appointment. What you do up in Middlebury then?

[Kriz1]

Kriz1,

The H1-B was fine - it was trying to get my position labor certified so I could apply for permanent residence that didn't work out because the application process was soooo long in NYC. By the time I had the first one approved I had switched to another employer, and by the time ththe second one was going to be approved they had to fire a load of people (not me :-) which invalidated my labor certification for that job.

The whole visa thing is just a game you have to learn how to play - having a good immigration attorney helps too.


We had a great guy in Boston...a company lawyer he got things moving for us real quick when he saw our daughter would time out...

We were really green about everything to do with visa's....had we been more clued up we could of been in the USA many years earlier...but in the long run it worked out better for us...the kids had a better childhood in the UK...and we had great friends...so I would not change any of that....
Job loss is a big problem even when you have a greencard....its been following us for 4 years now...my English friends hubby seems to be laid off every year...its only her nursing job keeping them afloat...

[Paul King]

InnVic,

"What you do up in Middlebury then?"

I'm a trader, trading coach, independent financial advisor, author, and (recently) incubator hedge fund manager. Google 'paul king trading' and you'll find me. I assume from your avatar/name you have an Inn???

[Paul King]

Kriz1

"Job loss is a big problem even when you have a greencard"

That's why I started my own company, then if things don't work out you've only yourself to blame (but when things do work out you can take all the glory :-).

[Susie]

Hi Paul

I notice you say your immigration attorney has a direct access to your Senators office and wondered if I may have your attornies number to see if he would be willing to help our site. If so please send his contact details to me via a private message and I will contact him

[Paul King]

Hi Paul

I notice you say your immigration attorney has a direct access to your Senators office and wondered if I may have your attornies number to see if he would be willing to help our site. If so please send his contact details to me via a private message and I will contact him

It's a "she" not a "he". I PM'd you her name/contact details.

[Kriz1]

Kriz1

"Job loss is a big problem even when you have a greencard"

That's why I started my own company, then if things don't work out you've only yourself to blame (but when things do work out you can take all the glory :-).

We are also thinking about doing the same thing...our own company for our daughter to run...hubby out at work...me doing odds and ends...I had a broken neck many years ago and I still can't do a full 40 hour week...some time I'm disabled...but lucky enough I've been fine for a few years so I feel its time for me to do something.......

[Paul King]

Kriz1,

The sooner you start the sooner you'll be where you want to be I say.

My advice for what it's wortth (since the value of advice is normally what you pay for it)

1: build a portable business (nothing I do absolutely has to be located in the US although Eastern Time Zone is convenient for my trading). This allows you to go wherever, whatever happens.
2: Build a scalable business where you can get paid many times over for the same piece of work (like publishing) or you can get paid incrementally more for the same amount of work (like running a hedge fund).
3: Create an excellent business plan before you do anything. This costs nothing but your time and effort and will dramatically increase your chances of success (I was a business analysts on Wall Street when I last had a "real" job).
4: Have an exit strategy - don't get stuck "being" the business when you could be off having fun
5: Have a Plan B for when things don't work out the way you wanted

Don't let anyone tell you that something's impossible - what they mean is that it's impossible for them based on their beliefs - what does that have to do with you?

Paul

[Kriz1]

We've started freeing up money...our home in FL is now paid for...so we don't have the worry of finding mortgage money....we do still have a loan on our MA home...but it was valued at a lot more then we thought....it really is just a case of finding something we all want to do...just in case my daughter does go off to do her own thing....
We came to the USA over 7 years ago with $60k....we are now worth a lot more even with all our ups and downs in this country....you can pull yourself up here...I know we would not have this kind of life in the UK ...not knocking the UK in anyway...it did us good for many years...but we have done more in 7 years here then in 20 in the UK...

[InnVic]

Hi Paul - yes we have an Inn :-) - been rated the best in Vermont :-)
I assume you mean Senator Leahy when you mentioned your attorney has access. He intervened in our case when it looked likely that our purchase would fall through due to delays - he seems to have influence and be "pro business" and legal immigration.
Your business advice is sound - our USA adventure is actually our 'exit strategy" (next step semi retirement) I had a business in the UK and decided it was time for a "life change". Hard work but great fun and Vermont is such a wonderful place to live.

[Sharon]

InnVic,

"What you do up in Middlebury then?"

I'm a trader, trading coach, independent financial advisor, author, and (recently) incubator hedge fund manager. Google 'paul king trading' and you'll find me. I assume from your avatar/name you have an Inn???



Hi paul,

could you explain what an incubator hedge fund manager is?

[kirtida8]

I have just e-filed my E-2 extension, and whilst posted applications are supposed to be dealt with by Vermont as I live in Florida, mine is being processed by the California service center!:confused: Does anyone know if this is the norm? or is just potluck which center you are assigned if e-filing? Last time the postal center and e-filing center were both the same!:confused: :confused:
I have paid for the premium processing service, so I will let you know if I do get a reply in the stated 15days.;)

[Paul King]

Hi paul,

could you explain what an incubator hedge fund manager is?

It is a hedge-fund (proprietary trading company) where you don't take external investments, but have your trading track record audited to be used as a marketable record when you want to become a full-blown hedge fund and take external investments.

Hedge funds are a scalable business in that it is really no more effort to trade $100,000 successfully as $100 million (assuming you develop trading systems that have the capacity to grow properly and the fees/revenue are a percentage of your assets and profits). This means as you scale-up your assets under management you get paid much much more without doing much much more :-)

[Paul King]

Hi Paul - yes we have an Inn :-) - been rated the best in Vermont :-)
I assume you mean Senator Leahy when you mentioned your attorney has access. He intervened in our case when it looked likely that our purchase would fall through due to delays - he seems to have influence and be "pro business" and legal immigration.
Your business advice is sound - our USA adventure is actually our 'exit strategy" (next step semi retirement) I had a business in the UK and decided it was time for a "life change". Hard work but great fun and Vermont is such a wonderful place to live.

I'll have to check out your inn if I'm ever in the area. Yes, Senator Leahy. Yes regarding Vermont as long as you bring your own (well-paying) employment ;)

[McSporran]

I have just e-filed my E-2 extension, and whilst posted applications are supposed to be dealt with by Vermont as I live in Florida, mine is being processed by the California service center!:confused: Does anyone know if this is the norm? or is just potluck which center you are assigned if e-filing? Last time the postal center and e-filing center were both the same!:confused: :confused:
I have paid for the premium processing service, so I will let you know if I do get a reply in the stated 15days.;)

Hi
I believe when Vermont get busy their overflow goes to California, so no worries. Good Luck.

[kirtida8]

I just received an email confirmation that my I-129 petition for extension of stay has been approved by the California service center! I know I filed using premium processing - but even I am stunned at the speed of the approval ( date filed May 7th 2007) - by my calculations that is just 4 business days!! :hyper: :clap: What more can I say?

[timjotom]

Congratulations :)

[Susie]

I just received an email confirmation that my I-129 petition for extension of stay has been approved by the California service center! I know I filed using premium processing - but even I am stunned at the speed of the approval ( date filed May 7th 2007) - by my calculations that is just 4 business days!! :hyper: :clap: What more can I say?

Yipeee


Many congratulations, do you have to retun to home country for interview/stamping now or has the system changed?

[anniefromessex]

Hi Kirtida,

Congrats from me too.

Love Anniexx

[kirtida8]

No - I am landlocked as it is only an extension of my I-94, but i will be filing my renewal with London once I get a result? from my impending court case.