J1...H3....E2 Help please!

[HORSEVETFL]

Dear all,

I am a Scottish veterinarian working in Ocala, FL. I was on a J1 (blissfully oblivious of the H1B cap) so..when I went for an H1B I discovered I was going to have a gap (Feb-Oct).

My attorney suggested an H3. I worked for weeks on a training program and syllabus....I guess the powers that be smelled a rat and it got denied yesterday. I am now on a B visa.

So......now I am considering going out alone and setting up a vet practice. I would have approx $25,000 to invest with the possibility of grossing $400,000 pa.

Does anyone have any feelings on this plan? enough investment?

How long does it take to process an E2?

I look forward to hearing your opinions!
Cheers
Carolyn

[britcan]

OK well IMHO $25000 won't cut it for an E visa in any way shape or form. You need a minimum of $250,000, a 3 year business plan at the very least before you should even think about E visa's. Feel free to jump in anyone else!!

[Susie]

Dear all,

I am a Scottish veterinarian working in Ocala, FL. I was on a J1 (blissfully oblivious of the H1B cap) so..when I went for an H1B I discovered I was going to have a gap (Feb-Oct).

My attorney suggested an H3. I worked for weeks on a training program and syllabus....I guess the powers that be smelled a rat and it got denied yesterday. I am now on a B visa.

So......now I am considering going out alone and setting up a vet practice. I would have approx $25,000 to invest with the possibility of grossing $400,000 pa.

Does anyone have any feelings on this plan? enough investment?

How long does it take to process an E2?

I look forward to hearing your opinions!
Cheers
Carolyn

Hi and a warm :welcome: to our site

One of the criteria for obtaining an E visa is you have to invest a substantial sum of money. The exact figure is nowhere in print but I would guess a min would be $75,000 on a start up biz and $200,000 if you are buying an existing biz.

If you intend to go the start up route, then you will need to show funds at risk, eg, lease on premises , orders for kitting out your practice. I do feel the start up costs would exceed the amount of investment you have available, but I could be wrong and would be interested in others opinions. You must also have an excellent biz plan in place. The idea of the E visa is to create jobs for USC/LPR and therefore the Consulate would like to see you employ a couple of staff full time within your first year of trading

Have you costed out, how much the equipment and all set up fees would be?

Can I ask, did you go back to your home country to get a B visa ? If so which country are you from? You would have had to give a reason for requiring a B visa, may I ask what was your reason?

Once you have your application in process, (believe you can fast track) should this be approved then in order to obtain the visa stamped in your passport you will then have to return to home country for interview and stamping of your passport. This can take from 4 months to a year depending on how many requests you receive for further evidence

I would like to mention that the American consulate in London, is not taking a good view of anyone who obtained a B visa then entered the USA only to apply for a E visa/ change of status. They see this as misrepresentation and denying many who go this route

[JulieC]

Dont J1s have an equivalent period of "work experience" like the OPT the F1 students have, only called something different???
Leave E2 alone. It is a non immigrant visa. If you intend staying here than get en route to an immigrant visa. Time enough to go it alone when you have your green card.