How will L-1 and E-2 denials affect my EB-5 visa eligibility? - EB5Investors.com

How will L-1 and E-2 denials affect my EB-5 visa eligibility?

I am a Canadian Citizen and have been in the United States on an L1-A from 2011 to July 2014. I applied for a green card through L-1 status and was denied due to the size of my U.S. company. My L1-A renewal was also denied because my company was not big enough and my E-2 was denied under section 214(b). I have invested more than $1.2 million in properties and a recycling business and I currently employ three people. In two years I can probably increase that to five employees and I am thinking of buying an additional business to get another five employees. Will my previous L1-A and E-2 denials prevent me from receiving an EB-5 visa?

Answers

Ian E Scott

Ian E Scott

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

These E-2 and L denials should not have an impact on you when you apply for an EB-5 visa. The only exception would be if an examiner found fraud or misrepresentation and that was part of the basis for the decision.

Lynne Feldman

Lynne Feldman

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

They should not.

Melanie Yang

Melanie Yang

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

No. As long as your EB-5 I-526 application meets the requirement, previous denial of L1-A and E-2 should not affect your I-526 approval, since you mentioned that previous denials were not based on any fraudulent presentations.

John J Downey

John J Downey

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

No, if you can comply with the requirements of the EB-5 program, the application will be based on the merits, not past applications.

Ed Beshara

Ed Beshara

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

The denials of the E-2 and L-1 visas based upon business related requirements should not affect the EB-5 process. However, if the E-2 or L-1 denial was based upon fraudulent entry of the investor, then this could be a ground for the denial of conditional permanent residency.

Oliver Huiyue Qiu

Oliver Huiyue Qiu

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

You are in a tough spot. Without fully reviewing the previous denials, it is difficult to assess the likelihood of converting your current business model into one that is EB-5 compatible. In particular, the E-2 denial is hard to understand, because its standard is relatively the lowest among the three. In theory, any business can be modeled into EB-5. But when it comes to acquiring an existing business, you first need to review whether it qualifies as a troubled business. If not, you cannot simply add the existing positions into the job creation count. Be prepared to create extra jobs. Last but not the least, while the I-526 is pending, you will not be allowed to remain in the United States to work without a valid work visa. It seems at this moment, your priority should be to resolve the E-2 treaty investor visa denial.

Salvatore Picataggio

Salvatore Picataggio

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

If the I-526 is approved (which should be reviewed independently of your other processes), you will be asked about prior immigration history to obtain your conditional permanent residency. Consult with an immigration attorney with experience in EB-5 to review your entire immigration history and possible future processes.

Fredrick W Voigtmann

Fredrick W Voigtmann

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

The previous denials should not have any effect on your EB-5 eligibility. The L-1A denial due to the size of your U.S. company (most likely due to the fact that you could not establish that you primarily would be engaging in managerial or executive duties) has nothing to do with EB-5. Also, the reason for your E-2 denial, INA Section 214(b), is due to the fact that you could not establish your non-immigrant intent. Since EB-5 is an immigrant category, 214(b) does not apply.

Karen-Lee Pollak

Karen-Lee Pollak

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

Your L-1 denials should not impact your visa. Your E-2 denial also will not impact your application as it was denied as you were assumed to have immigrant intent. In an EB-5, application you are automatically assumed to have immigrant intent.

Jinhee Wilde

Jinhee Wilde

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

Ultimately L-1 and E-2 are non-immigrant visas and denial for those should not have any impact on the EB-5 immigrant visa application unless there is some findings of fraud or misrepresentation associated with those previous denials. However, EB-5 application approval centers around job creation that your investment has been able to achieve in the business in which you have invested. While investing $1.2 million into that business appears to have met the capital investment amount of EB-5, you will need to be realistic in your projection and preparing the business plan to show how you could create more than triple the number of jobs you have created thus far in three years of business before submitting the I-526 petition for the EB-5 case. Perhaps you may wish to separate the EB-5 case from your own business by choosing a regional center with an excellent track record so that your immigration benefit is better assured and not tied to the success of your business within the USCIS required time frame.

Shahzad Q Qadri

Shahzad Q Qadri

RC Creators
Answered on

The denial should not impact your eligibility per se, provided there were no misrepresentations on either applications. If you meet the qualifications you should not have any issues.

James Wolf

James Wolf

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

The previous denials should not interfere with your approval under EB-5.

Michael A Harris, Esq

Michael A Harris, Esq

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

They may not prevent you from getting an EB-5 visa. To better understand I would recommend that you consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

Stephen Berman

Stephen Berman

Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration Attorney
Answered on

If the denials have anything to do with the amount invested or the number of jobs created, it could be a problem. And if not, then they should not be relevant.

DISCLAIMER: the information found on this website is intended to be general information; it is not legal or financial advice. Specific legal or financial advice can only be given by a licensed professional with full knowledge of all the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. You should seek consultation with legal, immigration, and financial experts prior to participating in the EB-5 program. Posting a question on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. All questions you post will be available to the public: do not include confidential information in your question.