A treaty investor agreement (E2 Visa) has been signed between the United States and Israel and became effective as of May 1, 2019. Pursuant to the treaty, Israeli citizens will be able to apply for an E2 visa at the U.S. Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv.
Israeli citizens may now, with a personal investment of as little as $80,000 USD (depending on the nature of the business), live and work with their family in the United States as non-immigrants and be a part of the American Dream.
Here is how it can work:
- Create a new business (start up) or invest in an existing business using your personal funds of around $80,000 USD or more. The actual size of the investment may vary depending on the nature of your business and generally reflects the Real Market Value of a business that will provide for more than your own personal income, i.e. will employ additional US workers or subcontractors.
- Personal funds can come from any legal source, such as savings, gifts or loans from friends and family, or any other legal source that is not secured against the business.
- Apply for Change of Status to E-2 or apply for an E-2 visa in your home country. Processing times are about eight (8) to ten (10) weeks. Premium Processing is available from USCIS for Change of Status at an additional cost, which will lead to an approval in as little as 15 days.
- E-2 status will last for up to two (2) years - and may be renewed for as along as you develop, control, and grow your business at the discretion of US immigration.
"Immigration Law is a mystery and a master of obfuscation, and the lawyers who can figure it out are worth their weight in gold." - Karen Kraushaar, INS Spokesperson, Washington Post, April 2001
