Turkish interest in investor visas, which the pandemic has slowed down, is increasing

new York

The COVID pandemic, which affected the whole world, also hit the investor visas in America. The ongoing pandemic since the beginning of 2020 and factors such as the backlog in the US consulates caused a great decrease in the number of E-2 investor visas of Turks compared to other years. Gökhan Yazıcı, one of the lawyers of the New York Bar Association, said that despite all the difficulties, the interest of Turks in the E-2 visa type is increasing.

Stating that citizens of certain countries that have signed agreements with the United States to improve friendship, trade and mutual commute can benefit from the E-2 investor visa, Yazıcı said that Turkey is one of these countries. Providing information about the visa in question, Yazıcı said, “This is a visa given to a foreigner who has invested a significant amount in a real and active commercial venture in the United States or has started to take steps to be effective in the investment process, for the purpose of managing and developing the transactions of the commercial enterprise. ” said.

Explaining the visa conditions, Yazıcı said, “The entrepreneurship should earn more than the minimum living requirement of the investor and his family. It is expected that the foreseen financial projection will be realized within 5 years, and a 5-year business plan is recommended.

Noting that the family members of the E-2 investor can join the investor together or later, Yazıcı said, “They do not have to be of the same nationality as the investor. The investor’s spouse can obtain a work permit. “Children are not allowed to work, but they can continue to school without changing their status,” he said. Emphasizing that Turks’ interest in the E-2 investor visa continues to increase, Yazıcı continued as follows:

“However, due to the intervening pandemic, the backlog in the US Istanbul consulate and the appreciation of the US dollar against the Turkish lira, the number of E-2 visas processed in 2020 and 2021 is less than in previous years.”

Stating that the most important advantage of this visa tour is that it is not limited to any period, Yazıcı said, “It is possible to extend it indefinitely at intervals of 2 years as long as the investor company is working, active and fulfills its legal and tax obligations.” Yazıcı also emphasized that since the visa in question is a non-immigrant visa, there is no way to a green card.