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- Corporate Services
- Employee Visas
Employee Visas
Employee Assignment Visas
Overview
A dedicated visa for executives or managerial-level employees appointed to an E-2 investment business, or for essential specialists with critical skills required for the successful operation of the enterprise. This visa also covers the spouse and children of the assigned employee.
Eligibility Requirements
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1. Employer Qualifications
The employer must share the same nationality as the employee and hold at least 50% ownership of the business.
The employer must currently hold E-2 status or be eligible to transition into E-2 status; therefore, permanent residents (green card holders) cannot sponsor an E-2 employee visa.
The employer must demonstrate the financial ability to pay the employee’s salary and must maintain an active business that can utilize the employee’s experience and skills.
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2. Employee Qualifications
The E-2 employee visa applicant must either serve in an executive or managerial position, or possess essential, specialized skills critical to the business.
The applicant must have professional expertise that is essential to the operation of the business and cannot be easily sourced within the U.S. labor market.
Advantages
- Unlike the H-1B employment visa, the E-2 employee visa is not subject to quotas or academic degree requirements, allowing applications at any time—even for those without a university education.
- No personal investment is required, unlike the E-2 investor visa.
- Unlike E-2 investors, E-2 employees may be eligible to apply for a green card through employment-based immigration with sponsorship from the E-2 employer.
- Like E-2 investors, E-2 employee visa holders’ spouses can apply for a Social Security Number and work permit, and children under 21 can attend public school free of charge.
