Buying Their Way In

[Rose Siding]

Although many foreigners wait years for permission to live in this country legally, a small but growing number have found a legal path that is relatively simple and fast: come with deep pockets to buy businesses here.

Foreigners who promise to purchase businesses that could create U.S. jobs and pump money into the economy can get non-immigrant investor visas, known as E2. The number of E2 visas approved has steadily grown, with 28,290 issued in 2005, up 40 percent from the number issued in 1997, according to the State Department.
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Immigration attorneys say most businesses are purchased for more than $100,000. As such, the investor visa has become particularly popular among citizens of countries with robust economies....

There are no quotas for the number of E2 visas issued....

In London, the wait for approval is typically 16 to 20 weeks, according to immigration lawyers and British holders of E2 visas. In contrast, the H1B visas for temporary skilled workers have years-long waiting lists for countries like India.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060901680.html