Best Investor Visa (E-2 / EB-5) Lawyers in Bothell, Washington

What E-2 and EB-5 cases involve for Bothell investors

E-2 treaty investor and EB-5 immigrant investor cases are decided under federal immigration law, not by Bothell or Washington State. Local planning still matters: the business address, permits, hiring, and operating costs can affect the evidence prepared for an application.

Bothell spans King and Snohomish counties. Before committing funds to a business site, investors should confirm which city and county rules apply to that address, including business licensing, zoning, and any required permits.

An E-2 applicant generally must be a national of a country with an E-2 treaty with the United States and invest a substantial amount in a real, active enterprise. The investment must be at risk, and the investor must develop and direct the business; passive investment alone is generally not enough.

EB-5 applicants must invest in a qualifying commercial enterprise and meet the applicable job-creation rules. The required investment is generally $1,050,000, or $800,000 for a qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure project. Whether a Bothell project qualifies for the lower amount depends on the project location and applicable evidence, not simply its Bothell mailing address.

When a lawyer can make a practical difference

• You are buying or starting a Bothell business and need to show that the E-2 investment is substantial, committed, and tied to a genuine operating enterprise.

• Your proposed business site may fall under different city, county, or permitting rules, and you need to coordinate those requirements with the immigration filing.

• You plan to use funds from several sources, such as a business sale, loan, gift, or overseas account, and need to document their lawful source and transfer path.

• You are considering an EB-5 project near Bothell and need to assess job creation, project structure, investment terms, and whether the lower investment threshold may apply.

• Your E-2 status or visa is nearing expiration, your business has changed, or you need to understand the consequences of changing employers, ownership, or business activities.

• You need to compare an E-2 route, which is temporary and treaty-nationality dependent, with EB-5, which may lead to permanent residence if requirements are met.

Federal immigration rules and Bothell business requirements

Federal law controls eligibility and immigration decisions. Bothell-area licensing, zoning, and permit rules affect the underlying business, but do not grant an immigration classification.

• Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), sections 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) and 203(b)(5): These provisions establish the E-2 treaty investor and EB-5 immigrant investor classifications. The INA was enacted in 1952; section 203(b)(5) was added in 1990 and later amended.

• Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.2(e) and 8 CFR 204.6: These regulations set out key E-2 nonimmigrant and EB-5 immigrant petition requirements, respectively.

• EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022: This federal law revised the EB-5 program, including regional-center requirements and integrity measures. Its relevant provisions took effect on March 15, 2022.

Investors should also check the City of Bothell’s current business licensing and land-use requirements and Washington State’s business registration rules for the specific business and address. Local requirements can change, so confirm them with the relevant authority before signing a lease or beginning operations.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lawyer to apply for an E-2 or EB-5 visa?

U.S. law does not generally require an attorney to file an immigration application. Legal advice can be useful when documenting investment funds, assessing eligibility, or coordinating immigration filings with a Bothell business launch.

Can a Bothell business qualify for E-2?

A business in Bothell may qualify if the investor meets the treaty-nationality and other E-2 requirements. The enterprise must be real and operating, and the investment must meet the applicable standards; the city or business location alone does not establish eligibility.

Does buying a house or vacant land qualify for E-2 or EB-5?

Passive ownership of residential property or vacant land generally does not meet the active-enterprise requirement for E-2. EB-5 also requires a qualifying commercial enterprise and job creation, so a real-estate investment needs careful review of its structure and activities.

How much money must I invest?

E-2 has no fixed statutory minimum; the investment must be substantial in relation to the cost of establishing or purchasing the particular business. EB-5 generally requires $1,050,000, or $800,000 for a qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure project.

What counts as a lawful source of investment funds?

Applicants must provide evidence supporting the lawful source and path of funds. Depending on the circumstances, records may include tax returns, sale documents, bank statements, loan records, or gift documentation.

Can any foreign national apply for an E-2 visa?

No. The investor must be a national of a country that has the required treaty relationship with the United States. The Department of State’s treaty-country information should be checked for the applicant’s nationality.

Does an E-2 visa lead to a green card?

E-2 is a temporary nonimmigrant classification and does not itself provide permanent residence. An investor may explore another immigration route if eligible, but should get advice on how that plan affects their circumstances.

How many jobs must an EB-5 investment create?

In general, an EB-5 investment must create at least 10 qualifying full-time jobs for U.S. workers. The rules for counting jobs can depend on whether the investment is direct or made through a regional center.

How long does an application take?

Timing varies with the filing type, government workload, visa availability, and whether the applicant applies through a U.S. consulate or seeks a change of status in the United States. EB-5 applicants should also check visa availability because it can affect when an immigrant visa may be issued.

What does an immigration lawyer cost?

Attorney fees vary by case complexity, scope of work, and billing arrangement. Ask for a written engagement agreement that separates legal fees from government filing fees and any business, translation, or expert costs.

Can my spouse and children accompany me?

Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 may generally seek derivative E-2 or EB-5 status, subject to the applicable rules. Each family member may need separate forms, fees, or consular processing.

Should I choose E-2 or EB-5?

The answer depends on treaty nationality, investment capacity, business plans, job creation, and whether permanent residence is a goal. E-2 is temporary and treaty-based, while EB-5 has immigrant-investor requirements and may lead to permanent residence.

Official resources for investors in Bothell

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Provides immigration forms, filing instructions, fee information, and updates on E-2 and EB-5 petitions and applications.

• U.S. Department of State: Provides visa information, consular processing guidance, treaty-country information, and the monthly Visa Bulletin.

• City of Bothell: Provides local information on business licensing, land use, and permits. Confirm the rules that apply to the proposed business address before committing to a site.

Steps to find and hire an investor immigration lawyer

1. Define the plan. In one or two days, outline the proposed investment, business location, ownership, source of funds, and whether the goal is temporary status or permanent residence.

2. Gather core records. Over the next week, collect available financial statements, tax records, business plans, purchase or lease documents, and details of any proposed EB-5 project.

3. Find qualified counsel. Check the Washington State Bar Association lawyer directory and confirm that any lawyer considered is authorized to practise in Washington. Ask about direct experience with E-2, EB-5, and business-investment documentation.

4. Arrange consultations. Speak with two or three lawyers, if practical, within one to two weeks. Ask who will handle the matter, what information is needed, and how the lawyer evaluates eligibility and risks.

5. Compare written proposals. Review the scope, fee structure, government charges, expected milestones, and communication arrangements before choosing counsel.

6. Check the business location and project. Before signing a lease or transferring funds, confirm applicable Bothell-area licensing and land-use requirements and have counsel review how the transaction fits the proposed immigration strategy.

7. Agree on a filing plan. Once retained, set a document-gathering schedule and confirm who is responsible for each business, financial, and immigration record. Filing timing should account for current government processing and visa availability.