Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Jun 27th 2019, 5:37 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 42
Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Hi all,
Been in the US for a year now on an E2 visa as I work for a British company that has invested in the US. My question is, how, if at all, can i obtain a GC other than through marriage?
I think its unlikely my current company will sponsor a GC application as there is little benefit to them and just means I can leave. However, if another firm did, is there a route around them sponsoring it and then adjusting my status from my current visa?
Thanks in advance,
George
Been in the US for a year now on an E2 visa as I work for a British company that has invested in the US. My question is, how, if at all, can i obtain a GC other than through marriage?
I think its unlikely my current company will sponsor a GC application as there is little benefit to them and just means I can leave. However, if another firm did, is there a route around them sponsoring it and then adjusting my status from my current visa?
Thanks in advance,
George
Jun 27th 2019, 6:20 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
The only route, apart from marriage, is for your company to sponsor a GC on your behalf. Most people who transfer do so on the written promise of a green card after a period of time.
You could always argue that you would be happier with the security of knowing you could buy a home and be able to live in it permanently if they did sponsor a GC, but it varies from company to company as to whether thy will do so or not.
You could always argue that you would be happier with the security of knowing you could buy a home and be able to live in it permanently if they did sponsor a GC, but it varies from company to company as to whether thy will do so or not.
Jun 27th 2019, 8:13 pm
#3
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Agree with Guindalf, that's really your best hope. Limited options are one of the reasons the E2 is labeled 'the visa from hell' on BE.
Jun 27th 2019, 8:44 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,214
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
There's the H-1B lottery and everything that involves. Maybe you can job hunt/know someone who can persuade another company to consider sponsoring you for one. You obviously have the slight advantage of already being in the US and being available for a 'low-cost-to-interviewer' interview. With the H-1B there is far more chance of being able to convert that to a GC (unless you were born in India).
Jun 27th 2019, 10:54 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 42
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Thanks for the replies.
Any idea on typical timescales around the GC sponsorship option? I’ve always made it clear to them that I’m in USA for the long haul so they may well listen to the “security” side of things...
Any idea on typical timescales around the GC sponsorship option? I’ve always made it clear to them that I’m in USA for the long haul so they may well listen to the “security” side of things...
Jun 28th 2019, 12:32 am
#6
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
I know you said "other than marriage", but would marriage be an option if there's no other way? Are you currently in a relationship with a USC?
Rene
Rene
Jun 28th 2019, 12:32 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 520
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
May I ask why that's the only route? I would have thought another company is still able to? Highly unlikely to happen of course but surely it's technically possible?
Jun 28th 2019, 12:56 am
#8
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
The only route, apart from marriage, is for your company to sponsor a GC on your behalf. Most people who transfer do so on the written promise of a green card after a period of time.
You could always argue that you would be happier with the security of knowing you could buy a home and be able to live in it permanently if they did sponsor a GC, but it varies from company to company as to whether thy will do so or not.
You could always argue that you would be happier with the security of knowing you could buy a home and be able to live in it permanently if they did sponsor a GC, but it varies from company to company as to whether thy will do so or not.
Last edited by tht; Jun 28th 2019 at 1:05 am.
Jun 28th 2019, 2:02 am
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 42
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
If another company wanted to go down the H1-B route, I assume I could stay with my current company (and therefore keep my current visa) and go through that process without them knowing anything about it? And does the size of the company hold any sway in the likeliness of it going through? For example if it was completed by one of the major Tech firms?
Jun 28th 2019, 2:22 am
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,214
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
If another company wanted to go down the H1-B route, I assume I could stay with my current company (and therefore keep my current visa) and go through that process without them knowing anything about it? And does the size of the company hold any sway in the likeliness of it going through? For example if it was completed by one of the major Tech firms?
Larger companies are well known to have an intake of H-1Bs on an annual basis. They have the permanently retained lawyers with the relevant experience to make it happen (likely to ask you the right questions and far less likely to screw up the process). Esp. the Googles and Amazons, etc. of tech.
Jun 28th 2019, 2:54 am
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Another Company could sponsor you straight to an Immigrant Visa.
Jun 28th 2019, 6:07 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 520
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
OP would have to leave the country for an interview for the H1-B, discard the E-2 in the process if successful (as it wouldn't be valid anymore), and then re-enter on the H1-B. It'd be a pretty hairy set of events.
Jun 28th 2019, 1:17 pm
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Why can he not change status?
Jul 1st 2019, 12:36 am
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Currently on E2 - Any route to GC?
Some visa's have limitations on adjustment, E2 is not one of them. So why would they need a different NIV?
