The U.S. Department of State has recently made a favorable change to Mexico E-2 Visas, increasing the validity period from one year to four years. This means that eligible Mexican nationals applying for an E-2 Visa may now be approved for up to 48 months of unrestricted travel into the U.S. on their Mexican passport.
The increase in the validity period also comes with increased processing fees. The previous processing fee of $46 has now increased to $296.
Although there have been various restrictions and suspensions on immigration over the past several years–with the most recent ones relating to protecting the U.S. labor market due to economic disruptions caused by COVID-19–these have all excluded E-2 visa applicants.
The validity extension for Mexican citizens also applies to L-1 visas but processing of this type of visa has been restricted until at least the end of 2020 and may be extended into 2021.
Background
The E-2 visa is intended for investors that will control an existing or new U.S. business. Specifically, per the United States Customs & Immigration Services (USCIS), “The E-2 nonimmigrant classification allows a national of a treaty country to be admitted to the United States when investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business. Certain employees of such a person or of a qualifying organization may also be eligible for this classification.”
These visas range in length from three months to five years depending on country of origin and other factors. Four-year validity is a generous time span in context and the extension makes this visa option more appealing than ever for potential Mexican investors. E-2 visas may also be renewed indefinitely if the business and the applicant continue to meet visa requirements and the country of origin remains a treaty country.
Before making any decisions about immigration paths, make sure to consult with an immigration lawyer. They will be able to help you select the most advantageous visa option for your specific preferences and circumstances. If your immigration path requires or will benefit from an immigration business plan our professional business plan writers are here to help! We work with immigration lawyers or directly with applicants to produce business plans fully aligned with the immigration strategy to give you the best chance at case success.
