Opting to apply for an E-1 or E-2 visa to gain entry into the United States of America is a very good option, while looking to make use of the Philippine dual citizenship program. They (the E-1 and E-2 visas) allow the visa holders to continue to live and work in the country as far as they meet the requirements that have been originally laid down. As long as all the original conditions of the visa are met, the applicant wishing to opt for the Philippine dual citizenship may have these kinds of visas extended by up to two years.
Acquiring permanent residency in the U.S for people interested in the Philippine dual citizenship can be an elongated process. It is commonplace for people interested in pursuing the Philippine dual citizenship option to gain entry with the help of a temporary visa, and at the same time, file for the American green card.
With the Philippine Government passing the Philippine dual citizenship act, Filipinos can now retain their Philippine citizenship, and still apply for permanent residency in the U.S. The Philippine dual citizenship act also states that ex-Filipinos can now take an oath of loyalty to the Philippine Republic and reacquire their citizenship of the Philippines . With the Philippine dual citizenship act in place, a person can hold passports of Philippines and one other nation.
To qualify for the E-1 category, the applicant has to be a treaty-country national. The firm which is to employ the applicant also has to be part of the same treaty-country. A considerable volume of continuing trade must take place internationally which should primarily be between the treaty-country and the U.S. This should involve at least 50% of the international trade taking place through the business. Trade refers to exchanging goods, technology and services.
Also, the applicant would need to be highly proficient in a specialized skill set; workers who are un-skilled will not qualify for this category. This is one of the options that an applicant desiring Philippine dual citizenship can pursue.
Another option for Filipinos who wish to utilize the Philippine dual citizenship program and enter the U.S is the E-2 visa. To qualify for the E-2 category, the applicant (investor) has to be a treaty-country national. There needs to be a significant investment, it should suffice to guarantee the enterprise's successful functioning. Investment percentages for low cost businesses need to be higher when compared to investment percentages for high cost businesses. Idle and speculative investments do not qualify. Unattached bank account funds and similar securities do not count as investments.
An insignificant investment would not be considered. The investment needs to create an income that is considerably more than the funds needed to provide the investor's family with a living, or must have a noteworthy effect on the economy of the U.S. The funds must be controlled by the investor and the investment must appear to be free of risks. Loans, wherein assets are used to secure the business, are not permitted.
The purpose of the investor's visit to the U.S should be developing and directing the business. In cases where the applicant does not function as the primary investor, the applicant would need to be highly proficient in a specialized skill set; workers who are un-skilled will not qualify for this category.
In order to apply for the E-1 (Treaty Trader) or E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas, applicants' wanting to have Philippine dual citizenship, first need to find out if the trading or investment businesses fulfill the legal requirements.
Amongst the benefits of acquiring a category E visa, as long as the applicant who desires Philippine dual citizenship, maintains relationship with the business in question, he/she can continue to live in the U.S. The spouse of the visa holder looking to get Philippine dual citizenship, irrespective of the nationality, can get derived visas so as to accompany the primary alien. So can children of the visa holder seeking Philippine dual citizenship, below the age of twenty one, provided they are unmarried. An E visa holder's spouse can also apply for authorization of employment through the DHS. Children who are dependant on the holder of the E visa are not permitted to work within the U.S.
Both these categories of visas allow the holder of the visa to freely travel within and outside the U.S. and permit them to bring along their spouses and dependants. More and more Filipinos are now making use to these visas to chase their hopes of acquiring Philippine dual citizenship. In these times of globalization and currency fluctuations, it is the best time to come to the United States to invest.
About the Author:
Attorney Sonia M. Munoz, President of the Law Firm International Legal Counsel, LLC, represents foreign investors during their transition to and business start up in the United States. Visit the Firm's site to read the 10 most frequently asked questions about the E2 Visa Requirements at http://www.ilclawfirm.com now.
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