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British citizens are applying in increasing numbers for E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor visas. The high value of the pound against the US dollar has made investments in the US more attractive for British citizens. E-1 and E-2 visas are treaty-based visas for nationals of certain countries with which the US has agreed a trade related treaty. In addition, the spouse is entitled to work in the US.
The Home Office has 'lost' about 174,000 illegal immigrants, according to a new report by John Vine, Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
According to the report, there were 232,000 foreign migrants who had their visa extension applications rejected prior to 2008. It was expected that these migrants would then have returned to their home countries – however the report suggests that by 2012 only 58,000 of these migrants had left the UK, only one quarter of the total.
US President Barack Obama announced in November a number of changes as part of his 'Executive action' on immigration reform. Workpermit.com has summarised the main changes that may benefit those applying for the EB-5 investor visa category.
On 20th November Obama released a Presidential Memorandum on Visa Modernisation, containing guidance on visa administration. Obama has set a deadline of 120-180 days for the changes to be implemented.
In recent years in the US, demand for H-1B visas for graduate level work exceeds the 85,000 annual quota for this type of visa. Tens of thousands of potential visa applicants hoping to come under the H-1B visa find they are unable to do so. Fortunately, migrants who have worked for one year in the last three years for an overseas business may be eligible for a transfer to the US on an L-1 intra-company transfer visa.
Between 2009 and 2013 there was an average of 68,000 L-1 visas issued per year. More could be issued as there is no annual visa quota.
There are two types of L-1 visas. They are:
Last month President Obama outlined his plans for 'executive action' to reform the US immigration system. This is after continued attempts at immigration reform via Congress failed.
In a television broadcast, Obama explained his reasons for taking this step. He said that the current system 'has been broken for a very long time, and everybody knows it.' He said that immigration is often a heated issue. He said that migrants come to the US to 'work and study, and serve in our military, and above all, to contribute to America's success.' Obama's speech also focused on increases to border security.
Workpermit.com urges foreign visitors to the US to plan in advance for trips to the US during the coming weeks, as the holiday season is always a busy time with more travellers than normal visiting families and relatives in the US.