If the investor or employee is inside the US, he or she may apply
directly to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS,
formerly INS) for a change of status, extension of stay, or change
of employment without leaving the country.
The E2 category does not require a petition for employment, if
the investor is outside of the US. This means the investor or employee
may apply for the E2 visa on his or her own behalf directly to a
US Embassy or Consulate abroad. The E2 visa may be issued for up
to 5-year validity period and may be renewed indefinitely, as long
as the applicant continues to satisfy the visa requirements. The
actual length of the visa depends on the treaty between the US and
the applicant's country and the consular officer's discretion.
You should understand that a change of status is not a visa. Once
the person leaves the United States, he or she must apply for an
E2 visa at a US consular office before returning to the United States.
Only a consular office may issue a visa. The USCIS cannot issue
a visa.
FOR CONSULTATION WITH AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, PLEASE CALL
US AT (626) 279-5341 OR E-MAIL US AT: INFO@E2VISALAWYER.NET. AN ATTORNEY IN OUR OFFICE WOULD
BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU.
THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL
ADVICE. SUCH INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO EDUCATE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
GENERALLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO INDIVIDUAL
PROBLEMS. READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO ATTEMPT TO SOLVE INDIVIDUAL
PROBLEMS ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND ARE STRONGLY
ADVISED TO SEEK ADVICE FROM AN EXPERIENCED IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
REGARDING SPECIFIC CASE SITUATIONS.
All
services relating to immigration and naturalization provided by
the Law Office of Bobby C. Chung, P.C. are provided by lawyers
who are active members of the State Bar of California or by a
person under the supervision of a licensed lawyer.