we got out B1 visa but the kids haven't

[esprit]

As I said earlier B1 is not intended for this purpose. They know if you come out on visa waiver, you will have to return to the UK to apply for the E2 and wait the processing period out. YOu only have three months on visa waiver and it is taking longer than that for E2. This is how it is supposed to be done and how we all did it until all these TV programmes started advocating moving here first and then looking for a business sintead of tghe other way around. They KNOW the intention isnt to go back, that is why they are quibbling at people putting kids in schools. I am guessing they are shutting the floodgates.

[Scotborder]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridavillasrus
well we are going on the 10th august, can't wait. after watching something on tv tonight concerning a young family wanting to move to florida, we had to watch to see how the relocation people did it. and weren't surprised when they said that she had dual nationality, and when they got married he applied for his visas, and got them. so it was pretty straight forward for him. it makes me angry that programmes do not show how hard it really is for normal people who want a better life to do this. we have sold everything in the hope of making a new life in the US, and i am starting to feel that unless i am somebody famous they do not want you. ok we have some money from the sale of our house, and are wanting to invest and buy a business and employ
americans, but it should never be this hard. maybe the british goverment should be the same and stop just about anyone and everyone coming into the country who do not want to invest. looks like i am blurting off, and may upset the politically correct people. so i better shut up.............................................
[/quote]

Would it help, if you buy your business first while still living in the UK, I am not sure if you can do it but just a thought.

Obviously it would require one of you to do all the travelling and staying in US to find a business to buy and run it until the rest of the family granted an E2 VISA.

Maria

[blott]

Maria, unfortunately you can't run a for profit business that you own in the US without your E2 visa in your hand. You can look for one, buy one and learn how to run it without taking any money out of it but what would happen if you weren't granted an E2 visa?

[Scotborder]

That's a good point Blott. So can you actually apply for an E2 Visa without buying a business first?

[blott]

I don't think I said that? If you thought I did then I apologise.

I said you can't run a business for profit without an E2 visa. Your E2 visa application is everything to do with the business you choose and you can't apply for an E2 visa without a business in your application as the Embassy are very specific about the requirements of the business for the visa.

[esprit]

You have to contract to buy the business and put the money in escrow with an escrow agent and the receipt fot that goes in to the embassy with your application. That shows commitment. The contract is contingent on grant of E2 and the money is refunded if not granted. In the rare cases of an E2 on business plan alone, they like you still to contract for business premises, vehicles etc to show that commitment. The way most people do it is find a business, contract to buy it contingent on E2, send the money into escrow and then wait in the UK for approval. When that comes, they will fly out and close and the escrow agent will release the funds to the seller. The seller contracts to keep the business trading during the waiting period.

This chicken and egg situation of flying out on a B1 or B2, buying houses and cars, putting kids into school and even buying a business before the E2 is granted is very dangerous and is something which has only been going on big time since a people were seen doing it in those TV prgrammes. Sooner or later it will end in tears for someone.

[Scotborder]

Thanks Blott and Julie that expains it, it's nice to hear these things from people with experience and knowledge. I'm sure there are some people here like me who's curious about this E2 VISA.

How long approx. it will take from submitting your application for an E2 VISA to getting a response from embassy, whether you are granted an E2 VISA or not?

Thanks

Maria

[esprit]

I did mine a while ago and at the time it was taking six weeks. I have heard from more recent immigramts that it is now much slower, 3 months or more. The number of applications has gone up but not the number of staff to deal with it and they are processed strictly in order of arrival, Unlike L1, you cant pay extra to expedite.

[mrsbabypowder]

Well we are here in Florida. Arrived on Tuesday 10th August. And at this precise moment we are going through Hurricane Charley. Welcome to Florida!!!!!!
Our Pool is overflowing, the wind and rain is BAD. A really nice welcome from Florida. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[esprit]

Are the kids with you??