E2 Visa Premium Processing: What You Need to Know

Author: Ashoori Law

 

The E2 visa is a popular visa for foreign entrepreneurs looking to invest in the United States. Many people wonder if the E2 visa is eligible for premium processing, a service that allows individuals to pay an additional fee to expedite their case processing to 15 business days. In this blog post, we will explore whether the E2 visa is eligible for premium processing and how it works.

First, let’s define what the E2 visa is. The E2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals of certain countries to invest in and manage a business in the United States. To be eligible for an E2 visa, the investor must be a citizen of a country that has a treaty with the United States, have invested or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business, and be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the investment.

Now, let’s talk about premium processing. Premium processing is an optional service offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for certain cases. By paying an additional fee, applicants can expedite the processing of their case, and in many cases, receive a decision within 15 business days.

So, is the E2 visa eligible for premium processing? It depends.

Premium processing is only available for certain cases that are filed, with USCIS. Typically, when someone applies for an E2 visa, they must submit their documentation to a consulate or embassy outside of the United States for a visa interview. In these cases, the matter is not initially filed with USCIS, so those E2 visa applicants are not eligible for premium processing. Their processing times are dependent on the interview wait times at their respective consulate or embassy.

However, if someone is in the United States lawfully and decides to switch to E2 status, they can apply for an E2 change of status. In this case, the E2 change of status application is eligible for premium processing. This means that for an additional government filing fee of $2,500, applicants can expedite the processing of their case and receive a decision within 15 business days.

It is important to note that even with premium processing, there is still a chance that USCIS will issue a request for evidence (RFE), which can delay the processing time. Therefore, while premium processing substantially speeds up the adjudication of a case, there is no guarantee that an E2 change of status application will be approved within 15 business days.

In summary, the E2 visa is not eligible for premium processing, but the E2 change of status application is. Applicants should be aware of the additional filing fee and the possibility of a request for additional evidence even with premium processing.

We hope this post has helped clarify whether the E2 visa is eligible for premium processing. If you or someone you know is considering applying for an E2 visa, it is recommended to consult with an immigration attorney who can guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.

 

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Ashoori Law has been incredible to work with. They helped us secure our E-2 visas, and thanks to their guidance and expertise, we are now living in the US and growing our business. We are extremely grateful for their support throughout the entire process.

We highly recommend Ashoori Law to anyone seeking reliable and knowledgeable immigration support. Their team truly goes above and beyond.
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Ashoori Law Office has been outstanding throughout my immigration process. I’m especially grateful for Geo’s constant support, professionalism, and guidance. His help made a big difference. Highly recommended!
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Exceptional Immigration Representation for EB1A

After a previous self-petition for my EB1A was unsuccessful, I knew I needed expert support from a legal team that could truly understand the uniqueness of my background and help me present the strongest case possible. Ashoori Law came highly recommended and the firm exceeded my expectations by pairing me with the perfect attorney for my case, Catalina Leff.

From the start, it was clear that Catalina brought a depth of knowledge, strategic insight, and an incredibly sharp eye for detail. My professional profile didn’t fit the “typical” EB1A mold, but that didn’t deter her. Instead, her versatility, legal creativity, and experience with complex and non-traditional cases made all the difference. She helped me organise my evidence in a way that told a compelling story and made spot-on recommendations that significantly elevated the quality and clarity of my petition.

Communication throughout the process was seamless. The coordination between Ashoori Law’s support team and Catalina was excellent. I always felt supported, informed, and confident in the next steps. Every interaction with Catalina was professional yet personal, and I was never left wondering about the status of my case. Catalonia’s guidance and complete control of the process was unquestionable.

Most importantly, the case was successful, and I believe that’s a direct result of the exceptional representation I received. It is one thing to have an attorney who knows the process and confident in her work but also most important to follow and trust the attorney’s direction(s). I enjoyed working with Catalina Leff and I am thankful for every support rendered. . I wholeheartedly recommend Ashoori Law, especially Catalina Leff, for anyone pursuing a high-stakes immigration petition such as an EB-1A. Their ability to identify the right legal strategy and deliver with precision and care was exactly what I needed, and I’m incredibly grateful.
Imthiyaz S.
I would like to express my most heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Michael Ashoori and the entire Ashoori Law team. I just received my passport with my E2 visa stamp this morning and I boarded my flight to the US tonight. It has been a long and stressful journey with many stops, starts, pivots, and redirections. Along the way my assigned attorney Pardeep Singh was patient and very generous with his time accommodating the twist and turns of my application. He understood how important the application was to me personally; it was not just “another file” for him. He used to tell me, that “on game day (interview date) to ensure the best chances of success, it is critical that the Consular officer have a well-prepared application in front of him” so he was always focused on the smallest details. He delivered on what he and Michael promised, and I was approved. My family and I are very happy!

Thank you again Michael and Pradeep!
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Raj B.
I would like to thank Michael Ashoori and his entire team for my E2 approval! I would like to give a very special thank you to my assigned attorney, Pardeep Singh for his dedication, attention to detail, mastery of the law, and the excellent application he presented to the Consulate. Being a seasoned executive with decades of business experience, routinely interacting with “icons and titans” of the hospitality industry from around the world, I already had my own vision of how to portray my business, what documents to produce, and how best it should be presented. Pardeep took all the data, completely dissected it, disregarded nonrelevant items, and reorganized the data and documents so that they were a “natural” fit with all the required elements of the visa. He over engineered my entire file, prepared me for the interview thoroughly, had me repeatedly watch Michael’s interview prep videos, and at the interview all went smoothly and I was approved. I whole heartedly endorse Michael Ashoori, his entire team, and Pardeep! To anybody looking for immigration services, the Ashoori team truly care and take a vested interest in your success.

My business is multinational and the crown jewel is opening my US office. With my E2 approval, I can now pursue my dream of expanding my business in the vast US market. Again, thank you Michael, I am glad I found you!

Raj B.
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A great team whose core values embody professionalism and integrity. Would highly recommend them. They also network with other immigration firms and bring you news on the latest updates.
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“Outstanding service and exceptionally smooth experience with Ashoori law group. From the very beginning, they showed professionalism, kept clear communication, and dedication time to my case. Every step of the process was handled with care and efficiency, They made my E2 visa process stress-free. It was well managed and level of supported was phenomenal. I am truly impressed with the quality of their work and the level of attention they provide. I highly recommend Ashoori law group to anyone seeking reliable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy legal services.”
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It was tough, but the Ashoori Law firm made it easier than anything. It was within 4 months, and the case was closed. Officers at Ashoori Law, including John Walton, Charlotte, Matthew Larsen, and especially Attorney RYAN MORGAN KNIGHT. Ryan was exceptionally efficient, knowledgeable, and dedicated to his clients. I was impressed by his promptness and expertise. I actually had concerns about my case and was worried when ICE was deployed to our area, so I requested Attorney Knight to accompany me to the USCIS office. He kindly accommodated my request. John Walton was always busy, but he would surely sort one out.
If you're looking for reliable and skilled immigration attorneys, I highly recommend Ashoori Law, particularly Attorney Ryan Morgan Knight.
NB: I still want to talk to Attorney Michael Ashoori himself.
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Michael Ashoori, Esq.

President of Ashoori Law

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped thousands of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

Got a question? Send me an email.