I have begun my business search and have really hit some road blocks. Is there anyone out there who can really suggest a nice small business that would meet the E2 requirements? Would anything really be ok? I know I have to rule out franchises but I think thats really it? Should I buy or start my own.. so many choices to come

As my current job ends in October I have begun to look at my future E2 options. Still wondering if any political change in the White House will effect my future here in the US. we can always hope right. Been searching around the internet looking into what business’s to buy. Havent really found anything i like so far for the 100,000 mark. Seems to little amount of money for what im really wanting to do. I really want to invest in real estate at this time but the wouldnt give me that visa a really need, sucks

Sorry haven’t been updating recently just been going through a lot with graduation and all but there have been some changes. I finally applied for my F1 Visa, had to pay one 300 fee and then another 100 fee so it was pricey. Mailed it off about a week ago and even though i know i am done with college and i am still hoping to get my 1 year OPT with it. Im just crossing my fingers and hoping it all works out. I managed to get all the forms from my international student center at Fordham and everyone was very helpful which was surprising.

New Optional Practical Training (OPT) Rules for F-1 Students updated to reflect the interim final rule that was published on April 8, 2008.

On April 3, 2008, The Department of Homeland Security announced the publication of an Interim Final Rule that makes significant changes to Post-Completion Optional Practical Training for F-1 students.

This rule took effect upon publication of the rule in the U.S. Government’s Federal Register of April 8, 2008.

Highlights of the New Rule:

• The current 12-month limit on OPT will be extended by 17 months, for a total of 29 months for certain STEM degree holders ( S cience, T echnology, E ngineering & M athematics) ONLY And E-Verify participating employers
• The H-1B “Cap Gap” is eliminated by extending OPT employment and status for those who are beneficiaries of an H-1B petition with an October 1 start date (available to ALL OPT participants)
• The filing deadline for initial OPT applications is changed  (applies to all OPT participants). Under the new rule, a student will be able to file the OPT application up to 90 days before the degree completion date, and up to 60 days after the degree completion date.
• There are new reporting requirements for students and employers (applies to all OPT participants)
• Post-Completion OPT will now be dependent on employment.  Only limited periods of unemployment will be permitted (applies to all OPT participants)

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Haven’t posted for a while because I was away in Miami.. anyway just wanted to post a side note and see if anyone had any suggestions.. lost my I 94.. the little departure form in my passport.. contacted the Mission and they said it would cost $320 to replace!!! how can this be?? Most of the time when I leave the country they don’t even collect it.. do you think I will have problems leaving the country?? I might just take a quick trip up to Canada and see how it goes…

After meeting with my new Immigration lawyer, didn’t really like my last one it seemed like a very good option. He suggested around a 100,000 investment in a business and a million if I wanted a straight green card. As the million dollar option doesn’t seem to be possible the E2 could work. He said the E2 takes about 4 months to go through and I even have to go for an interview, not to mention he suggests I start purchasing items for the business before I even file for it. How can this make sense? I will be going into business with an owner of 2 very successful Italian Restaurants in NYC to open up a chain of Pizzerias. He is currently working on the business plan but he believes it is possible to open up the first one for the 100,000 price tag. Even though this is a big risk I have always been interested in being an entrepreneur, does anyone know any information on obtaining a Liquor license for a someone in my situation, just encase I decide to move into other areas.

As I start to come to the realization that getting an H1b is almost impossible I have been exploring the E2 investor option. I do have some money to invest but the entire E2 visa is hard to understand. Can i start my own business with the visa? I understand it is for investment but do i need American partners to do so? I currently have friends who own two major Italian restaurants in NYC, they are interested in starting a Pizza chain and I was thinking of investing around 100,000 into this new business, would this qualify me for the E2 visa? Any comments would be great…

So i get a call from ______ _____ Financial asking me to come in for an interview. I clearly have the OPT then H1B sponsorship listed on my resume, I end up driving about an hour to Connecticut and have a great one hour interview. Going over what the company does, how they set up personal financial advice to so many clients etc etc. He pretty much offers me a job right there on the spot, but wait of course when i bring up the visa he quickly says they don’t offer that and they even have a current manager who they are they trying to get one for but failed. Said did the one year OPT and would cost them 5000 to do it and a 40% chance of getting one. Not sure if these numbers are true but what anther waste of my time. Thank You so much

Email I just received regarding a job,

Hi David:
Unfortunately ——— ——– cannot hire people who don’t have
green cards or are a U.S. citizen. This is because the people that we
hire are independent contractors. I’m sorry for the inconvenience and
miscommunication.   

Found an interesting post by the Google Blog, made me think that even if I get sponsored do I even have a chance.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-us-immigration-policies-mean-to.html