Have you once thought of living in the U.S. permanently? If you are thinking of using your E2 visa as a way out to get a permanent residency, you might get it wrong. The E2 does not give you the privilege to immigrate to the U.S. But, you still have other indirect options you may apply. Let’s see ways to apply for a green card with an E2 visa.
Being an E2 holder means you are an investor, entrepreneur, or person looking to build a business in the U.S. When you decide to secure your place in the country, you can choose several indirect pathways for a green card, but it depends on the circumstances. If you still have any other confusion regarding an E2 visa, you may check out the E2 Visa Guide to quench your thoughts. To further help you going to the road of permanent residency, below are some details you need to know.
- UTILIZE THE EB-5 INVESTMENT-BASED VISA
There are lots of alternative ways which you can apply for residency. One of these is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. If you have already availed of the benefits provided by the E2 program, you may qualify for some of the requisite resources for you to obtain a green card. This way is usually through an investment into your existing business.
Utilizing the EB-5 immigrant investor category, especially for those foreign nationals who have significant investment from the U.S. $500,000 to the U.S. $1,000,000 in a U.S. business, have a great chance to qualify for permanent residency. Indeed, the qualifications of the EB-5 might be too high as it seems, and its compliance is too complex; you may be worrying about how to achieve it. To help you with other options, you can consult an immigration attorney for a smooth transaction.
- EXTRAORDINARY SKILLS SPONSORSHIP
Having an extraordinary ability is a great advantage for you to have a green card. For example, if you can show that you are good at your field and have an excellent record in business, arts, and sciences, you can qualify for the EB1-1 visa. This kind of visa is one way to achieve a U.S. green card. However, even if you don’t have any of these levels, if you enter the U.S. with an E2 visa, it would be enough to have indirect options to qualify for an extraordinary ability sponsorship.
- SPONSORED BY A U.S. EMPLOYER
Employer sponsorship is one of the most common ways for an E2 visa holder to apply for a green card. But before this, the company itself must show proof that there are no native U.S. workers capable of filling the position. This situation usually entails advertising the job on the internet or posting it with an employment website, in a newspaper, and on any platform that could reach the public.
There are also other ways in which this process can speed up. For example, suppose you are hired for a specific job and possess excellent qualifications. In that case, you may get an exemption from the PERM/Labor Certification process with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). You have to remember that this process undergoes various hurdles that you need to pass. But after you succeed in all the steps that entail this stage, the outcome will undoubtedly be worthy for you.
- FAMILY MEMBER SPONSORSHIP
Another most obtained option is family sponsorship. If you have a family member who is already a permanent resident in the U.S., they might be able to sponsor you for a green card without losing your E-2 status. However, if you have no close relative living in the U.S., you may employ other options. One of these is if your spouse or child under the E2 status could get a sponsorship by an employer and eventually get a green card, they are already eligible to support you to get one.
Conclusion
Applying for a green card under the E2 status will not lead you to an easy pathway. You have to find another way out to become eligible for permanent residency. Hence, the options above will surely be of great help to you and your future endeavors.