sas

I need some information about going from an E2 visa to permanent resident. I know that the basis of the E2 is that you agree that you will leave the country eventually, but I have read that there can be a path to permanent residency.

Can someone give me a rough idea of the process, is there a minimum period of stay before I can apply (been here 18 months), is there a special process or is it the same as other visas.

The company I work for has a good immigration lawyer, but I don't want to get him involved just yet

Ray

There is no path from E-2 to permanent residency (GC)

Ivonne

Sure, why not?

Ray

yes I am sure!... I am not a legislator... do not blame me

Ivonne

I don't blame you, I just say, it's not true.

As far as I know (and I don't exclude that I may be wrong and not you), you can still take part in the DV Lottery and get a GC that way. Or, if you are an employee with an E visa, you can get a GC through employment, if you qualify.

In my opinion, you can just not get a GC, if you yourself are the owner of the company and built this company with an E visa, because you can not self-petition...but as an E-employee, if your company sponsors you, why not? thats my understanding.

AnnaV

He's not talking about an employee. He's talking about an E2, the employer/owner. Don't know about joining the DV lottery, though.

Ray

Well !! the OP is English so the DV is out
most of the E-2 issued are for the company owner..but as you say there are a few for employees..
so in theory he could get the employer if willing to file a Labor Certificate with the DOL if qualified enough
Or file an immigration petition based on the classification of ‘Alien of Extraordinary Ability’ - EB-1(A) or ‘Multinational Manager or Executives’ - EB-1(C)
Or even a National Interest Waiver
Or if he knows when Bin Laden is..an easy S6 visa is there

But none would be a direct E-2 to green card situation.

Ivonne

You don't need to be the owner in order to get an E2. My husband is the best example.

And the OP wrote: "my employer", so I think, he is not the owner. So, there is a way to the GC

Ivonne

There is no "direct" way to the GC anyway. Not with a H1B, not with an L, not with an E. It all depends, if you qualify and if you have a sponsor. If so, the "way" is the same for all (exept, as we already stated, for the company owner on E)

Ray

Well the L-1A is pretty direct ..Know quite a few who have done that
Has you husband done it then... I personally dont know one that has..but then again all the E-2 holders I know are owners..

Ivonne

You're right, the L1-A is the easiest. We had an L1A before. But then, company changed their mind and put us on E2. No, we haven't gone the route to GC so far and I guess, we won't. Company doesn't sponsor GC at all, and our assignment is only temporary, they want us back in Europe sometime...

sas

Thanks for the replies.

I should have said that I was a management level employee.

Is there a minimum peroid of time that I would have to wait before I could start the application process assuming that my employer would support me?

ducatiandy

This cracked me up, I may try for this myself, I think I say him the other day at Asda in Pollockshields, Glasgow.

Do they need to catch him before I can apply and how long does this visa route take, can I get a job with anyone on the S6 visa?

fatbrit

This poster is English and holds a GC from DV2000 -- never say never!!!

ducatiandy

Well done! Blue Peter Badge in post!