We are pleased to announce a successful E2 visa approval at the US Consulate in Romania for a dual UK-Romanian citizen.
The consular officer approved the E-2 visa for 5 years—the maximum validity period allowed under the US-Romania bilateral treaty—with no Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and a total processing time of 2 months.
Case Summary & Client Profile
- Visa Category: E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
- Consulate: US Embassy / Consulate in Bucharest, Romania
- Validity Period: 5 Years (Maximum treaty length)
- Investment Amount: $100,000
- Target Location: Miami, Florida — the Cruise Capital of the World
- Processing Time: 2 Months (Approved on the spot, subject to administrative processing)
The Business: Expanding Global Entertainment Booking to Miami
The investor brings over 15 years of industry experience, having successfully founded and operated two entertainment booking agencies in London and Romania. His agency specializes in a niche market: providing authentic folkloric entertainment and contemporary cultural performances to major international cruise lines, luxury resorts, and corporate event venues worldwide.
To establish a US footprint in Miami, Florida, the client invested $100,000 into a new US venture. Due to pre-executed contracts prior to launching, the company secured active clients and hired employees immediately upon setup, demonstrating clear commercial viability and non-marginality.
Overcoming Complexities: Passport Discrepancies & Administrative Processing
During the visa interview, the Consular Officer approved the E-2 petition on its merits. However, a discrepancy emerged between the place of birth listed on the investor’s UK passport versus his Romanian passport, causing the application to be placed in Administrative Processing.
How Malescu Law Resolved the Issue:
- Verification: Further investigation confirmed that the Romanian passport details were legally correct under local law.
- Strategic Collaboration: The investor partnered with a reputable Romanian law firm to draft a comprehensive, official legal opinion addressing the passport anomaly under Romanian law.
- Resolution: Upon reviewing the legal opinion, the US Consulate in Romania cleared administrative processing and issued the E-2 visa within 7 days.
Key Takeaway: Complex cross-border visa applications often involve foreign legal nuances. Utilizing local counsel to clarify foreign statutory laws is essential when resolving consular administrative processing and securing US visa stamps.
Overview of E2 Visa
The E-2 Investor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the U.S. by investing in a US business. This visa also extends to the investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21. Furthermore, E-2 businesses can bring E2 employees in executive, managerial, or specialized roles essential to the firm’s operations in the U.S. You can establish a new business or buy an existing business to qualify for the E-2.
You can apply for E2 visa at a US Consulate abroad or through change of status to E2, if you are in the US. Keep in mind that applying for E2 while in the US is possible under certain circumstances, but is not available to individuals travelling to the United States on ESTA.
To learn more about visas for Canadians, visit E2 visa for Canadians and US visa for Canadian citizens.
To learn more about the options available for children aging out E2 visas visit Children aging out of E2 visa: What are their options?
Find out more about other E-2 visa success stories and approvals, E-2 visa for spouse and dependents, E-2 visa renewal process, other investment visa options, , E-2 for Australians, E-2 for UK Citizens and other visa options to start a business in the US for you.
Why Partner with Malescu Law for Your E2 Visa?
At Malescu Law, our Miami business and immigration lawyers assist international entrepreneurs, dual citizens, and investors in navigating complex E2 visa applications worldwide. From business entity formation in Florida to resolving complicated consular inquiries, we deliver tailored legal strategies that maximize your approval chances.
Our E2 visa lawyers specialize in E-2 visa applications, including those involving existing business acquisitions, holding companies, complex corporate structures or E2 visa refusals.
We provide a full E2 visa service model, including:
- Business formation and corporate structure
- Legal and financial due diligence.
- E2 business plan drafting.
- Professional business valuations.
- Comprehensive case strategy for complex E2 visa applications.
We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Contact us or schedule a consultation with our experienced immigration attorneys.
Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers
