400,000 Brazilians with Dual Citizenship Eligible for US E-2 Investor Visa

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Key Takeaways:

The E-2 Investor Visa lets Portuguese nationals, including dual citizens with Brazil, gain U.S. residency through investment.
Applicants must be from a treaty country, actively invest in U.S. business, and participate in operations.
The visa offers residency, work, and education for investors and families, but isn’t a direct Green Card path.

How Can Brazilian-Portuguese Dual Citizens Obtain US Residency Through the E-2 Investor Visa?

400,000 Brazilians with Dual Citizenship Eligible for US E-2 Investor Visa

What Is the E-2 Investor Visa?

The E-2 Investor Visa is an opportunity that allows individuals from treaty countries to move to the United States by investing in the U.S. economy. Thanks to recent changes by the U.S. government, Portuguese nationals, including those with dual Brazilian-Portuguese citizenship, can now apply for this visa. This change opens doors for over 400,000 Brazilian-Portuguese citizens to seek U.S. residency through investment.

What Are the Requirements for an E-2 Investor Visa?

In order to qualify for an E-2 Investor Visa, applicants must meet several requirements:

Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of a country that holds a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S. Currently, there are over 80 such treaty countries, including Portugal.
Investment: The applicant must either have invested or be actively investing in a business in the U.S. This involves holding at least 50% ownership of the enterprise.
Active Participation: The investor must actively participate in the operations of the business.

According to Gustavo Kanashiro, Immigration Director at Fragomen in Brazil, “The candidate must be willing to invest a substantial amount in the U.S. economy,” although the specific amount can vary depending on the type of business and its financial needs.

How Can E-2 Investors and Their Families Benefit?

One significant advantage of the E-2 Visa is that it offers not just residency but also work and educational opportunities for the investor’s family:

Work: Both the investor and their dependents, which include spouses and children under 21, can legally work in the U.S.
Education: Dependents can enroll in U.S. educational institutions without any restrictions.
Residency: The E-2 Visa allows investors to live in the U.S. as long as the business remains economically viable.

However, it’s important to note that the E-2 Visa is not a direct path to a Green Card. Investors must maintain the viability of their business to stay in the U.S.

Are There Reciprocity Measures Involved?

Diplomacy plays a crucial role in the implementation of the E-2 Visa program. For Brazilian-Portuguese citizens to fully benefit, there must be reciprocal measures from Portugal. This means Portugal should offer similar opportunities to U.S. citizens. As of 2022, Portugal has been listed among the countries considered for this type of visa, which paves the way for dual citizenship holders to tap into this opportunity.

How to Apply for the E-2 Investor Visa?

To apply for an E-2 Visa, follow these steps:

Verify Eligibility: Ensure you are a national of a treaty country. In this case, Portuguese citizenship is required.
Plan Your Investment: Decide on the business venture you plan to invest in within the U.S.
Prepare Documentation: Gather necessary documents, including proof of nationality, investment details, and business plans.
Submit Application: File your application through the appropriate Consulate or Embassy and await approval.

For further guidance, you can visit the Official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website that provides comprehensive information about the E-2 Investor Visa process.

What Are the Key Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship in This Context?

Portuguese citizenship offers several advantages in the E-2 Visa context:

Ease of Travel: Holders can travel easily between Portugal and Brazil, enhancing both personal and business opportunities.
Dual Benefits: Brazilian-Portuguese citizens can leverage privileges from both countries, facilitating smoother immigration processes.
New Markets: The U.S. market is vast, providing myriad opportunities for investors to grow their businesses internationally.

Final Thoughts on the E-2 Investor Visa for Brazilian-Portuguese Citizens

The inclusion of Portugal in the list of treaty countries is a significant development for Brazilian-Portuguese dual citizens aspiring to move to the United States. By meeting the requirements of the E-2 Investor Visa and maintaining an active, viable business, these investors, along with their families, can enjoy residency and work opportunities in the U.S.

“More than 400,000 Brazilian nationals who also hold Portuguese citizenship, are now able to apply for E-2 investor visas in the U.S.,” highlights the growing importance of dual citizenship in today’s globalized world.

By taking informed steps and understanding the necessary requirements, investors can turn this opportunity into a reality, enhancing their prospects and contributing to the U.S. economy.

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Glossary of Terms

E-2 Investor Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows individuals from countries with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S. to enter and work in the United States based on a substantial investment in a U.S. business.
Treaty Countries: Nations that have established agreements with the United States that allow their citizens to apply for visas such as the E-2 Investor Visa. Examples include Portugal but not Brazil.
Substantial Investment: A significant amount of money that an applicant must invest in a U.S. business to qualify for the E-2 Investor Visa. The specific amount varies depending on the nature and needs of the business.
Reciprocity Measures: Diplomatic agreements ensuring that countries involved in visa treaties provide similar opportunities to each other’s citizens. For the E-2 Visa, Portugal must allow similar benefits to U.S. citizens for the arrangement to be reciprocal.
Active Participation: A requirement for E-2 Visa holders that mandates the investor to be actively involved in the management and operations of the business they have invested in within the United States.

This Article In A Nutshell:

Dual citizens of Brazil and Portugal can now acquire U.S. residency through the E-2 Investor Visa. By investing in U.S. businesses, over 400,000 Brazilian-Portuguese citizens can pursue this opportunity. The visa allows family work and study rights, but maintaining a viable business and diplomatic reciprocity are crucial for success.
— By VisaVerge.com