The e2 visa has been growing in popularity among celebrities in recent years. At Visa Franchise, we have worked with actors, athletes as well as influencers with millions of followers.
The reasons for this are clear: the e2 visa offers a number of advantages over other types of visas, including the o1 visa.
In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between e2 and o1 visas, some of the key advantages of the e2 visa, and why so many celebrities are choosing the E2 visa over other options.
Contents
O1 visa vs. E2 visa
What is an O1 visa?
The o1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to foreign nationals who have extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. Its main characteristic is that it is a temporary visa, meaning that holders can only stay in the United States for a limited period of time.
Requirements of the O1 visa:
There are a few important requirements in order to qualify for an O1 visa.
– The applicant must demonstrate that they have a high level of achievement in their field.
– The applicant must be coming to the United States to participate in activities at the same level.
– The o1 visa is generally valid for three years and can be renewed once.
Another important fact about the o1 visa is that it is a dual intent visa. This means that the holder of an o1 visa can have the intention of immigrating to the United States permanently while still holding valid status on their o1 visa.
How to apply for an o1 visa:
The o1 visa is a type of visa that is reserved for people with extraordinary abilities in their field. In order to apply for an o1 visa, you must first have a job offer from a US employer.
You will also need to submit evidence of your extraordinary ability, which can include awards, publications, and media coverage.
Once you have gathered all the required materials, you will need to fill out an online application and submit it to the US embassy or consulate nearest you.
Requirements of the E2 visa:
There are a few important requirements in order to qualify for an e2 visa:
– The applicant must have a substantial amount of money invested in the business.
– The applicant must be from a country that has a treaty with the United States.
– The e2 visa is generally valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely.
Substantial investment:
There is no set definition of what a “substantial amount of money” is, but generally speaking, it should be enough to start and sustain the business. It is important for you to have a detailed business plan to show how the investment will be used.
The USCIS will also consider the nature of the business and the amount of money required for that particular type of business.
Why is the E2 visa so requested?
The e2 visa is a popular visa choice for entrepreneurs and investors because it offers several advantages over other types of visas.
Some of the advantages of the e-visa include:
– Shorter waiting times
– Less paperwork
– Reciprocity agreements with many countries
– The e2 visa is available to employees, as well as business owners and investors
– Flexibility in the business (do not have to work in the U.S. entertainment industry or athletics)
Benefits of having an E2 visa:
There are a number of benefits that come with having an e2 visa.
– One benefit is that the e2 visa holder can bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.
– Another benefit is that e2 visa holders can live and work in the United States indefinitely as long as they maintain their investment in the business.
– The E-2 has historically high approval rates compared to other visas.
-Can renew indefinitely as long as the business stays open
Approval data for the e2 visa and the o1 visa:
According to data from the US Department of State, the e2 visa has a 90%+ approval rate, while the o1 visa has an approval rate of 85%.
Why Do Celebrities Prefer the E2 Visa Over Other Visas?
There are a number of reasons why celebrities prefer the e2 visa over other visas. First, the e2 visa offers a shorter path to citizenship than other options. For many celebrities, who often travel back and forth between the United States and their home countries, the e2 visa allows them to maintain their permanent resident status while spending less time in the United States.
Additionally, the e2 visa does not require that the applicant have a specific job or position in order to qualify, which makes it more flexible than other types of visas.
Finally, the e2 visa has lower investment requirements than other types of visas, making it more accessible to people who may not have as much money to invest.
Another advantage of the E2 visa is that it does not require applicants to demonstrate extraordinary abilities in their field.
Another Key advantage: Longer Visa Reciprocity
First of all, visa reciprocity is the agreement between two countries that allows citizens of each country to enter the other country with a valid visa. The e2 visa often has a different reciprocity than the o1 visa, meaning that e2 visa holders can stay in the United States for a longer period of time before having to renew their visas. For people who often travel back and forth between the United States and their home countries, this is a significant advantage.
For example, Mexico’s E2 visa reciprocity is of 48 months, while the O1 visa only gives you a maximum stay of twelve months. This is a big difference and one of the reasons why celebrities often choose the e2 visa over other types of visas.
Reciprocity schedule by countries:
In order to qualify for an e2 or o1 visa, your home country must have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. Not all countries have this treaty, so it’s important to check the reciprocity schedule to see if your country is on the list.
You can see below the list of countries with their periods:
Reciprocity Schedule
| Country | E-2 Visa | O-1 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | 3 years | 3 years |
| Argentina | 5 years | 5 years |
| Armenia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Australia | 4 years | 5 years |
| Austria | 5 years | 5 years |
| Azerbaijan | 3 months | 1 year |
| Bahrain | 3 months | 5 years |
| Bangladesh | 3 months | 1 year |
| Belgium | 5 years | 5 years |
| Bolivia | 3 months | 5 years |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 year | 1 year |
| Bulgaria | 5 years | 5 years |
| Cameroon | 1 year | – |
| Canada | 5 years | 5 years |
| Chile | 1 year | 5 years |
| China (Taiwan) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Colombia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Congo (Brazzaville) | 3 months | 3 years |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 3 months | 3 months |
| Costa Rica | 5 years | 5 years |
| Croatia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Czech Republic | 5 years | 5 years |
| Denmark | 2 years & 6 months | 5 years |
| Ecuador | 3 years | 5 years |
| Egypt | 3 years | 5 years |
| Estonia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ethiopia | 6 months | 3 years |
| Finland | 2 years | 5 years |
| France | 2 years & 1 month | 5 years |
| Georgia | 1 year | 5 years |
| Germany | 5 years | 5 years |
| Grenada | 5 years | 5 years |
| Honduras | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ireland | 5 years | 5 years |
| Israel | 2 years | 5 years |
| Italy | 5 years | 5 years |
| Jamaica | 5 years | 5 years |
| Japan | 5 years | 5 years |
| Jordan | 3 months | 1 year |
| Kazakhstan | 1 year | 1 year |
| Korea (South) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Kosovo | 1 year | 1 year |
| Kyrgyzstan | 3 months | 1 year |
| Latvia | 2 years & 10 months | 2 years |
| Liberia | 1 year | 1 year |
| Lithuania | 1 year | 2 years |
| Luxemburg | 5 years | 5 years |
| Macedonia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Mexico | 4 years | 1 year |
| Moldova | 3 months | 5 years |
| Mongolia | 3 years | 3 years |
| Montenegro | 1 year | 1 year |
| Morocco | 5 years | 5 years |
| Netherlands | 3 years | 5 years |
| New Zealand | 5 years | 5 years |
| Norway | 3 years | 5 years |
| Oman | 6 months | 2 years |
| Pakistan | 5 years | 4 years |
| Panama | 5 years | 5 years |
| Paraguay | 5 years | 5 years |
| Philippines | 5 years | 5 years |
| Poland | 1 year | 5 years |
| Romania | 5 years | 5 years |
| Senegal | 1 year | 1 year |
| Serbia | 1 year | 1 year |
| Singapore | 2 years | 5 years |
| Slovak Republic | 2 years | 5 years |
| Slovenia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Spain | 5 years | 5 years |
| Sri Lanka | 3 years | 5 years |
| Suriname | 5 years | 5 years |
| Sweden | 2 years | 5 years |
| Switzerland | 4 years | 4 years |
| Thailand | 6 months | 5 years |
| Togo | 3 years | 3 years |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 5 years | 5 years |
| Tunisia | 5 years | 5 years |
| Turkey | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ukraine | 3 months | 3 years |
| United Kingdom | 5 years | 5 years |
The e2 Visa also offers shorter wait times
Another advantage of the e2 visa is that it generally has shorter wait times than other types of visas. For people who are often on tight schedules, this can be a significant advantage.
The e2 visa also requires less paperwork than other types of visas, making it simpler and faster to apply for.
E2 visa process:
The e-visa process is relatively simple. After investing in a business, the applicant must submit a visa application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If the application is approved, the applicant will receive an e2 visa, which will allow them to enter the United States.
Once in the United States, the e2 visa holder can apply for a work permit, which will allow them to work in the United States indefinitely.
E2 visa holders can also apply for permanent residency status after two years of holding e2 status. To do this, they must file an immigrant petition with USCIS and demonstrate that they have maintained their investment in the business. If approved, they will be granted permanent residency status and will be able to live and work in the United States indefinitely.
The e2 visa process generally takes between two and four months.
Can I Get an E2 Visa as an Employee of an E2 Business?
The e2 visa is available to employees of e-visa businesses, as well as to investors and business owners.
To qualify for an e2 visa as an employee, you must be a key employee of the company who is essential to the operation of the business. You must also have a specialized skill set that makes you indispensable to the business.
If you are applying for an e2 visa as an employee, you will need to provide evidence that you meet these qualifications. This can include your resume, job offer letter, and letters of recommendation from your employer.
Classes of employees that can get an E2 visa:
There are three classes of employees that can qualify for an e-visa:
– managerial employees,
– executives,
– essential skills employees.
Managers are responsible for supervising and controlling the work of other employees. They must have the authority to hire, fire, and promote employees. Executives are high-level managers who typically have broad decision-making authority within the company. Essential skills employees are those whose skills are essential to the operation of the business. These workers must have highly specialized skills that make them indispensable to the company.
Conclusion:
The e2 visa is generally considered to be a better option for entrepreneurs and investors than the o1 visa. If you are an entrepreneur or investor considering coming to the United States to start a business, the e2 visa may be the best option for you.
However, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your specific situation and make sure you are eligible for this visa. So, if you meet the qualifications for an e2 visa, we encourage you to begin the application process today.
We hope this article has been helpful in explaining some of the advantages of the e2 visa and the differences between this and the o1 visa. If you have any questions about this visa category, please contact us today.
