Must a Grenadian citizen that is applying for an E-2 Treaty Trader visa have a residence in Grenada?

There is no law or regulation that requires an E-2 Treaty Trader visa applicant to have “residence” in the country of citizenship. We have represented many E-2 investors who do not live or maintain a residence or a resident address in the qualifying treaty country. 

At the time of this writing this post, the concept of requiring a “residence” is being applied by the U.S. Consulate – Barbados, which has jurisdiction over Grenada. The U.S. Consulate in Barbados has taken the position that an E-2 applicant should be able to show a “nexus” to Grenada, such as in the form of having visited Grenada at least one time, having an address in Grenada, and having a Grenadian resident identification card. This is not a legal requirement under U.S. immigration law but a policy initiated by the U.S. Consulate. 

The only requirement to qualify for the E-2 visa is that the applicant is a “national” of the treaty country. This is one reason why we would not have a client conduct his or her E-2 visa interview in Barbados, but instead, in another country such as China or Vietnam. 

Note that in order to be able to interview at another U.S. Consulate outside that which has jurisdiction over the country of nationality, the applicant is usually required to have some non-temporary presence in that country, such as being a student, having work authorization or, of course, citizenship. “Consular Shopping”, which is the act of applying at a U.S. Consulate for convenience, is possible but usually discouraged and the U.S. Consulate has the discretion whether to accept an applicant or require him or her to return to the U.S. Consulate that has jurisdiction over the country of nationality. 

If you would like more information on obtaining Grenadian citizenship or on the E-2 Treaty Trader Visa, contact us at: 

ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING

Add: 3F, IBC building, 1A Cong Truong Me Linh Str, District 1, HCMC.

Tel: 0933 301 488

Mail: info@enterlinepartners.com

Web: http://enterlinepartners.com

Enterline helps Chinese Grenadian national obtain E-2 visa

We have helped Chinese investors who are Grenadian citizens quickly and successfully obtain E-2 visas. Let us help you!

David Enterline, Founder and managing partners of Enterline & Partners, of counsel at Taipei Commercial Law Firm, has successfully obtained an E-2 visas for a Chinese investor who became a Grenadian citizen via the Grenadian Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, joining only a handful of U.S. attorneys who have done so.

Grenada is one of the score of countries that offer CBI programs, but is special because of its unique status of having a treaty of commerce with the United States that allows for its citizens to apply for E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor visas. In that last few years, many Chinese nationals have considered alternatives to the U.S. EB-5 immigrant investor visa because of the long wait for the EB-5 visa. Obtaining Grenadian citizenship and setting up a qualifying business in the U.S. will allow the Chinese-Grenadian citizen and qualifying family members to enter the U.S. in 4-6 months.

EB-5 visa for Chinese investors – 15-year wait

There is currently an estimated 15-year visa wait for Chinese investors who now (in 2018) begin the process to obtain an EB-5 visa. Although EB-5 has been very popular over the last 10 years in China, many investors and their families are unwilling to wait so long to obtain a “green card” to live, study and work in the United States.

E-2 Through Grenada Citizenship – Quick and Fast

Chinese citizens can become Grenadian citizens in 4-6 months. The most hassle-free option for citizenship is by “donation”, which requires $200,000 (+ costs) for families of up to four persons.

E-2 Visa – Quick and Fast, Live and Work in the U.S. … Indefinitely

Once a Chinese investor is a Grenadian citizen, he or she can apply for an E-2 visa. After choosing and making a qualifying investment, the E-2 visa can be obtained very fast, sometimes in as little as 2 weeks. Interviews can be conducted as U.S. Consular Offices in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, and approvals are made directly at the end of the interview.

The E-2 visa is initially valid for 5 years and covers spouses and all family members under 21. While the E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa (no “green card”), it can be renewed indefinitely, for as long as the eligible business is operating.


by: Enterline and Partners Consulting