On April 16, 2015, Congressman David Jolly introduced a bill in the House of Representatives titled “E-2 Visa Improvement Act of 2015.” The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit certain E-2 nonimmigrant investors to become lawful permanent residents.
All E-2 nonimmigrants must maintain an intention to depart the U.S. when their status expires or is terminated. Congressman Jolly’s bill would allow business investors in the United States to apply for permanent residence status after 10 years in E-2 status, if the enterprise has created full-time employment for at least two individuals.
Children of E-2 investors must leave the United States or apply for another visa when they turn 21 years old. Further, children of E-2 investors are not eligible for work authorization in the United States. Under Congressman Jolly’s bill, children of E-2 Treaty Investor Visa holders could stay in the United States until they are 26 years old and to apply for work authorization after turning 18 years of age.
The bill would limit granting permanent residence for E-2 holders to only 10,000 individuals a year.
To check on the status of this bill please click here for the congressional web page. We will be keeping an eye on this bill, if you would like us to email you updates please fill out the form below.