Skip to main content

What to Expect at an E-2 Visa Interview. Types of E-2 Visa Interview Questions. E-2 Visa Interview Lines of Questioning Explained.

By August 20, 2017May 11th, 2021E-2 Visa, Immigration, Investor Visas

Although the manner in which consulates conduct the E-2 interview may differ somewhat depending on the region, the volume of E-2 applications, and internal operating protocols unique to each, there is still a seam of common questions that runs through the processing of an E-2 visa application, regardless of where it is filed.  The questions all get at whether the applicant has met all of the E-2 visa requirements and a full set of the requirements can be obtained by clicking here.  The various lines of questioning can be distilled to getting at the heart of four key points:

  1. Has a sufficient amount of money been spent-up front to satisfy the consulate’s definition of “substantial”? This question quickly opens up into other connected areas of inquiry: How has the money been spent?  Has it been used to acquire items essential for operations?  Have all necessary expenditures been made?  Is there more money that remains to be spent before the business is truly ready to launch?  You can find out more about how much to spend for an E-2 visa by clicking here.
  2. What is the source of the money used to make the key purchases, secure the business premises, and fund the U.S. bank account with working capital? Questions typically include: Where did the E-2 investment come from? Did the E-2 investment come from a legitimate source? Has the E-2 investment been traced from origination to the U.S. bank account? This area of inquiry is probably subject to the greatest degree of variance from consulate to consulate.  Regions that have more informal banking and property transfer systems in place will have increased scrutiny, whereas consulates located in areas with highly regulated, transparent banking practices will be less concerned with the legality of the funds.  You can find out more about the E-2 visa source of funds by clicking here.
  3. What is the investor’s role in the U.S. entity? Can they truly be said to be in a position to develop and direct the operations?  The investor must be shown to be focusing on the business and making strategic decisions.  As such, if the applicant is only performing the day-to-day tasks essential for  operations they may come under scrutiny.  If the E-2 investor is opening a nail salon, he or she should be involved with the internal business operations (managing payroll, dealing with vendors and billing, developing marketing initiatives, promoting the brand and business concept) in in addition to other day to day tasks.  The investor should also be able to demonstrate that he/she has the sufficient skills and experience needed to develop and direct the E-2 Enterprise.  Click here to find out more about directing and developing an E-2 business.
  4. What are the chances of this business being successful? Is the E-2 business viable? Will the E-2 business be able to hire U.S. workers? How many employees exist? Obviously the business plan presents the enterprise as succeeding in its chosen pursuit.  The kernel that lies at the center of this question is really: Why it is the E=2 business will be successful?  The applicant should have a clearly-articulated notion as to what it is that sets his or her enterprise apart from other similar businesses, and what it is in their background that instills confidence in their ability to do well in the chosen field of endeavor. The key element here is the company has to have the ability to hire U.S. workers.  Letter of intent or contracts also help to persuade and examiner that the E-2 business will be viable.   You can find out more about the E-2 visa business plan by clicking here.  You can find out more about letters of intent and contracts by clicking here.

These are just a sampling of the key areas of inquiry for any E-2 examiner.  Scott Legal P.C. processes E-2 applications throughout the world, and prepares each client individually to address the questions they are most likely to face at the particular consulate adjudicating the E-2 application.

FREE E-2 Visa Resources

Click on the buttons below in order to claim your free E-2 Visa Guide, sign up for our free E-2 Visa Webinar, join our Facebook Group, or watch our E-2 Visa videos.

Download E-2 Visa Guide
Sign Up For Our E-2 Visa Webinar
Join Our E-2 Visa Facebook Group
Watch Our E-2 Visa Videos

Set up an E-2 Visa Consultation

For a dedicated one-on-one E-2 Visa consultation with one of our lawyers, click on the button below to schedule your consultation.

Schedule a consultation

This website and blog constitutes attorney advertising. Do not consider anything in this website or blog legal advice and nothing in this website constitutes an attorney-client relationship being formed. Set up a one-hour consultation with us before acting on anything you read here. Past results are no guarantee of future results and prior results do not imply or predict future results. Each case is different and must be judged on its own merits.

4 Comments

  • iqb says:

    I have E-2 status and I’m working as a general manager in an E-2 company. I want to travel to my home country and come back. Would you be able to assist me with E-2 visa through consular processing as a general manager for the same E-2 company? Please let me know. Thanks

  • Muhammad Irfan says:

    What are the chances if I am investing money for a business that I don’t have any past experience but I am hiring a qualified Business manager who is much specialized in the filed of business. That could be considered?

    • IanScott says:

      Hello and thank you very much for contacting us. We know that the decision to start a business in the U.S. is one that brings many questions to the forefront and we are here to help. This firm was founded on an E-2 visa so we understand much of what you are concerned with. Our goal is to assist you so that you can realize the dream of growing a business in the U.S.. I have attached a link to our E-2 visa brochure below that describes our services and fees and you can see from the brochure that we can also help you with your business plan and your business entity set-up.

      E-2 Visa Brochure

      https://legalservicesincorporated.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/E-2BrochureScottLegal2018.pdf

      We would like the opportunity to help you and welcome the chance to set up a one hour consultation with one of our lawyers who regularly processes E-2 visas. This lawyer will be able to answer all of your questions and can give you valuable information so that you can make informed decisions. Our consultations can be arranged based on your convenience and can be done over the telephone, via Skype, or in person.

      Our consultation fee of $250 will be refunded to you if you end up hiring us and I have attached the link to set up a consultation below.

      https://secure.lawpay.com/pages/scottlegalservices/operating

      We hope you decide to give us the opportunity to assist you and please let us know if you would like to set up a consultation.

      Kind regards,

Leave a Reply to IanScott Cancel Reply

FREE WEBINARS
GET YOUR FREE
We are happy to offer our E-2 visa guide that describes the E-2 visa requirements, and other advise to assist with your E-2 visa application.
E-2 VISA GUIDE
For more info visit our E-2 visa service Page or schedule a consultation so we can handle your E-2 visa process.  You can also sign up for a Free E-2 Visa Webinar here.