ref E2 visas

[gwensvilla]

My son and his friend are wishing to go to the US to start a business in partnership .. wanting to see the US for approx 4-5 yrs and then maybe move on to australia to do the same... my son is is 23 yrs and his friend is 19 yrs... can a 19 yr old apply for an E2??? or must they be over 21 yrs... finances are not a problem...he is currently self sufficient and his family would be more than willing to go halfs on a substantial investment in a business..gwen

[peter gold]

No problem Gwen They apply in 50/50 but the investment must be more substantial say minimum 200k for two of them. Age is no problem in this scenario,

[chris]

Gwen,
I am sure that others can comment on the intracies of split investment and age limits, but I'd just like to make a comment about your statement 'see the US for about 4-5 years'. If your son wants to 'see' the US, he would be better vacationing. Many on here will back me up on this and say they see less of the US now they live and work here, than they ever did when they vacationed here.

[reecey]

hi Gwen

they may be better getting a start up franchise theres alot more support and they may not have to invest as much money

[davidmartin_uk]

I agree with Chris. We have not been more than 120 miles from our biz location since we have been here. Buying a biz especially with the economy in the state it is in is no way to see the USA. Get a B visa and travel around for 6 months it will be far better. See if he likes it here.

Dave

[chris]

Unfortunately, I think it's true that the days of 'bumming' around the world to see the world have gone since 911 and the phobia about terrorism. Most countries have really tightened up their immigration controls and unless you have a sound reason for being there, you'll be turned around. I guess that in reality, Europe for us Europeans, is the last place where we can 'bum' around unfettered with all the trials and tribulations of visas and permits. As David says , running your own business here is not a recipe for travel. In our 7 years here, we have seen b****r all compared to what we used to see when coming on vacation. Ah, the American Dream!!!!????

[floridapete]

Unfortunately, I think it's true that the days of 'bumming' around the world to see the world have gone since 911 and the phobia about terrorism. Most countries have really tightened up their immigration controls and unless you have a sound reason for being there, you'll be turned around. I guess that in reality, Europe for us Europeans, is the last place where we can 'bum' around unfettered with all the trials and tribulations of visas and permits. As David says , running your own business here is not a recipe for travel. In our 7 years here, we have seen b****r all compared to what we used to see when coming on vacation. Ah, the American Dream!!!!????

I was speaking with a lady on this forum just a few weeks ago who, having lived and worked in the Orlando/Kissimmee area for ten years now, told me she has never even been to St. Augustine yet !

She told me that her work over there is 24/7/365 and they just do not get the time or the opportunity to stray far away from a call-out distance from her home office.

Pity - there's so much to see and experience in Florida ! Maybe only the tourists get to see it ? ;)

[SHEILA 13]

I was speaking with a lady on this forum just a few weeks ago who, having lived and worked in the Orlando/Kissimmee area for ten years now, told me she has never even been to St. Augustine yet !

She told me that her work over there is 24/7/365 and they just do not get the time or the opportunity to stray far away from a call-out distance from her home office.

Pity - there's so much to see and experience in Florida ! Maybe only the tourists get to see it ? ;)


I think this happens where ever you live and work.I lived in the Lake District but I never got to enjoy this beautiful part of the Uk as I was too busy working.:(
Sheila

[JulieC]

Not sure running an E2 business here is the sort of life two young lads ( presume its another boy) would like, Gwen. It isnt a lot of fun, is often hard work and tieing. Have a guess who would end up running their E2 business once you have the Eb5 green card and they would end up swanning off! You got it! Its a bit like buying kids a puppy, good idea until the novelty wears off!
PS I know what I am talking about, we have a 22 year old lad here with us, I can just imagine him running my E2 business or wanting to, not!!!!!

[bizboots]

I am brand new here, and we ,my husband and I ,have been in the US for over 20 years on two different E2 Visa, 2 years ago was the first time we had to go to Germany(that's where my husband is from) to renew our Visa and they decided to give us 2 years, so the whole thing start over again next year , we spend a small fortune on lawyer fees. This is hanging over our heads like a sword, depressing , scary etc. Now with the economy down the drain , who knows what happens.
I was wondering if everyone here who has E2 Visa could get together to lobby so we all might be eligable for a green card
any idea's

bizboots

[Sharon]

My son and his friend are wishing to go to the US to start a business in partnership .. wanting to see the US for approx 4-5 yrs and then maybe move on to australia to do the same... my son is is 23 yrs and his friend is 19 yrs... can a 19 yr old apply for an E2??? or must they be over 21 yrs... finances are not a problem...he is currently self sufficient and his family would be more than willing to go halfs on a substantial investment in a business..gwen

What do they enjoy doing, have they any business experience? especially with record keeping and bookeeping

[Sharon]

I am brand new here, and we ,my husband and I ,have been in the US for over 20 years on two different E2 Visa, 2 years ago was the first time we had to go to Germany(that's where my husband is from) to renew our Visa and they decided to give us 2 years, so the whole thing start over again next year , we spend a small fortune on lawyer fees. This is hanging over our heads like a sword, depressing , scary etc. Now with the economy down the drain , who knows what happens.
I was wondering if everyone here who has E2 Visa could get together to lobby so we all might be eligable for a green card
any idea's

bizboots

Expatysvoice are already, see http://expatsvoice.org/forum/petition.php and sign the petition. If you have an hour or so a week to spare contact Susie or the mods as I am sure they could do with some help

[grumps]

i understand the logic behind given short term E-2 visa. for the start but after somebody has run a business for a few years, and added to the wealth and prosperity of the usa, were is the problem of giving a green card once people have proved that they did not just buy a business to get into the states. the cost each time and the uncertainty of not knowing if you will get another visa is a burden on every body.

[bizboots]

Expatysvoice are already, see http://expatsvoice.org/forum/petition.php and sign the petition. If you have an hour or so a week to spare contact Susie or the mods as I am sure they could do with some help

Where do I contact them or please contact me I am very willing to help, signed the petitions

[chris]

I agree Grumps. There is one TV advert that you see it's for the house cleaner and spray stuff. It's made by SC Johnson, who proudly proclaim that they are SC Johnson a Family business. Now that's something you could never, ever be able to say with an E2 could you. The way the system is now it totally discriminates gaianst starting a 'family' business, growing it and passing it on to your off spring. It's stuff like that gets me going.

[bizboots]

Expatysvoice are already, see http://expatsvoice.org/forum/petition.php and sign the petition. If you have an hour or so a week to spare contact Susie or the mods as I am sure they could do with some help


I have all the time to spare as I now have filed for early retirement ( I am only the dependent),and I am sick and tired to be treated like the "criminal" after all we are the GOOD people . I did sign the petition, just noticed there need to be many more petions signed to make a valid point.
Are there more forums like this??

[kirtida8]

Hi Bizboots and :welcome: to the forum. Contact Susie if you want to help in the background, I am sure she would appreciate it.

[JulieC]

I am brand new here, and we ,my husband and I ,have been in the US for over 20 years on two different E2 Visa, 2 years ago was the first time we had to go to Germany(that's where my husband is from) to renew our Visa and they decided to give us 2 years, so the whole thing start over again next year , we spend a small fortune on lawyer fees. This is hanging over our heads like a sword, depressing , scary etc. Now with the economy down the drain , who knows what happens.
I was wondering if everyone here who has E2 Visa could get together to lobby so we all might be eligable for a green card
any idea's

bizboots

This is already happening. Take a look at www.e2reform.org Unfortunately it is a long shot. There is not much support for it and the congressman who introduced the bill will not be in politics after the election as she lost the Republican nomination so it looks like that particular bill will stall. Zoe who runs the site and Nina went to Washington and spoke with loads of people there. It was suggested that we try and get some support from our local congressmen and that it would be best trying to get measures tagged on to the comprehensive immigration reform bill when it comes. Lobbying is a profession here and Zoe spoke to some lobbyists but the cost was more than was affordable for what in general are small businesses. It is a very long shot and we all know that. But nothing ventured nothing gained.