A laser-focused E2 Visa Lawyer lighting the spark for entrepreneurs to launch their American dreams. CIVITAS POST undertakes interviews with Leading Women in the industry which are published and distributed to industry players from Bogota to Bangkok.
On Leading Women, today we are featuring Angie Rupert, a US attorney who obtained a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, LA and a Bachelor of Arts from Kansas University. Ms Rupert’s recent E2 visa clients have launched companies generating more than US$ 27,000,000 in annual revenues as well as nearly 100 full-time jobs and dozens of contracting jobs in the U.S.
Angie Rupert is a U.S. based E2 investor visa attorney. She is the founder of Rupert Law Group, one of the few law firms in the United States that focuses exclusively on E2 visas. As a result of the firm’s laser focus, Ms. Rupert is well-versed on even the most unusual or complicated cases. She has an overwhelming approval rate for E2 visas.
“This entire job is fulfilling. It is the main reason I do this. I get to help people from all over the world achieve their American dreams,“ Rupert.
The American Migration Industry
Ms. Rupert is one of the few attorneys in the United States who focuses entirely on the E2 investor visa.
Welcome, Angie! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Thank you so much for featuring me – I’m incredibly honoured to be a part of this selection of women.
To begin, could you please give us snapshot of the E2 visa – What is it?
The E2 visa is a visa for entrepreneurs who wish to open (or buy) and operate businesses in the United States and for foreign-owned companies that want to send employees to the U.S. It’s an incredible visa that is flexible and renewable indefinitely. There are people living and working in the U.S. who have had an E2 visa for decades.
Who are your typical E2 visa clients?
The first type is the entrepreneur/investor who wants to buy or start a business in the U.S. I also have a fair share of entrepreneurs who are recent graduates from U.S. universities interested in staying in the US to launch their own businesses.
The second client profile is the U.S.-based business owned by foreign nationals or a foreign company. This company’s executives want to bring over an employee from their home country to work in the U.S. business under an E2 visa.
What services do you offer these clients?
I am an E2 visa lawyer, but I also see myself as a guide through the U.S. immigration system. It’s common and completely understandable for entrepreneurs to have anxiety during this process. I’m here to help them step-by-step. Although I only handle the immigration portion of the process, I have trusted advisors here in the U.S. who can help the entrepreneurs with everything they need.
Rupert Law Group offers a truly “white glove service” for those wishing to start a business in the U.S.
There is some apprehension that there is a ‘tightening of the belt’ so to speak on U.S. migration policy. France, we understand, recently had their E2 Visa period reduced from 5 to 2 years. What are your thoughts on foreign entrepreneurs/investors’ fears in this regard?
It is true that France has seen a decrease in visa flexibility, but there have been a number of expansions of the E2 visa globally. In 2019, we saw two key countries gain eligibility for E2 visas: New Zealand and Israel. In my experience, the E2 visa has been affected less than almost any other type of visa available to those wishing to visit or work in the U.S.
I expect you are often asked whether the E2 Visa is a stepping-stone to a Green Card? Could you elaborate further on this?
Yes, this is a common question. The answer is that the E2 visa will never “turn into” a Green Card. However, there are other ways to obtain a Green Card outside of the E2 visa:
- Clients can get an EB1 “extraordinary ability” visa (Green Card), which includes proving that you are so extraordinary in your field that you merit a Green Card
- The E2 investor’s spouse may be sponsored by an employer for an EB2 or EB3 visa (which is a Green Card)
- U.S. / Green Card holder family members (spouse, child, parent, adult sibling) can petition an E2 investor (note: there is a significant wait time for some of these petitions)
- The E2 visa holder can increase his/her initial investment and apply for the EB5.
November 21 2019 marks the deadline for the EB5 minimum investment criteria increasing from US$ 500,000 to US$ 900,000. What impact do you think this will have on the US migration industry? Similarly, do you expect the new rules will have benefits for the US migration industry in the long-term?
This is a game changer in the world of U.S. investment immigration, for sure. I predict that there will be many investors who will be “priced out” of the market.
Not only will the investment be nearly doubling, but it appears that the definition of the Targeted Employment Areas will become much stricter. So, more of the EB5 investment projects will likely have a minimum of US$1.8 million.
The great news is that the E2 visa is a work-around for the high EB5 investment amounts and the long wait times. I predict that the E2 visa will become a much more popular visa in the coming years not only for citizens of treaty countries, but also for those of non-treaty countries.
Non-treaty citizens can opt for a citizenship investment option in treaty countries like Turkey, Grenada, Moldova, and Montenegro.
Once they obtain their passports, they can apply for the E2 visa and bring their families over. The combined cost for additional citizenship plus the E2 visa will still likely be much less expensive and faster than the EB5.
Read more: Are you Eligible to Apply for the E2 US Visa?
Global Investment Migration
Where do you note the greatest demand comes from geographically for the E2 visa? Have there been any developing trends recently that you have identified in terms of target markets?
Honestly, I have clients from all over the world. Statistically speaking, Japan, Canada, Mexico, the U.K., Germany, France, and Australia see quite a few E2 visa applications each year. I do not anticipate the popularity in any of these countries diminishing in the next few years.
As far as trends, I see the E2 visa increasing in popularity. Not only in these countries, but in countries that have investment immigration options like; Grenada, Turkey, Moldova, and Montenegro.
People who were considering the EB5 may now decide to invest in a treaty country, get citizenship of that treaty country and then apply for the E2 visa using that treaty country passport.
In my firm, I have seen many more recent university graduates and current university students applying for the E2 visa. As the typical U.S. work visas are becoming even more difficult to obtain for new graduates, they are opting for the E2 visa as a great way to stay and embark on their entrepreneurial paths in the U.S.
Leading Women in Investment Migration
Tell us briefly what motivated you to embark on the entrepreneurial path of launching your own law firm, Rupert Law Group?
I am a sucker for a great business idea. I have started a couple of different businesses along the way and it is such an amazing adventure.
When I get a call from someone who has a fantastic idea and wants to bring that idea to the U.S., I get so excited! It is crazy that I get to help in one tiny way to bring this business idea to the U.S.! How lucky am I?
The great majority of investment migration agents, lawyers, service providers are SMEs (except for the large global networks). As a business owner in immigration law what would you say was one of the largest hurdles/challenges you faced on your career trajectory so far?
Facing the unknown is always hard. We must put forth an incredible application and deliver in the interview, but that is where our power and control end. At times my client and I get the hard news that it is still not enough and we have to regroup and resubmit our application. It’s difficult to accept that neither the client nor I oversee whether the visa is approved or not. That said, my clients almost always get approved!
What do you find most fulfilling about your work?
This entire job is fulfilling. It is the main reason I do this. I get to help people from all over the world achieve their American dreams. I am working with one couple who has never been to the U.S., but they are moving for their son’s benefit. The amount of courage and stamina they have is inspiring.
I am honoured to help them through this E2 process.
What resource has been the most helpful for you as you traverse through your business journey?
In the last year, I’ve been working with an amazing business coach. She has provided crucial third-party perspective on business initiatives I have launched and others I have in the pipeline for 2020. And, of course, I have mentors. My old boss and friend Braden, and my legal mentor, Mat are in my head every day. I am constantly asking myself “What would Braden and Mat do?”
Emulating successful people is my key to success.
Although none of them are in the immigration field, they all have amazing insight into successful business strategy. I’m lucky to know all three people. Valerie, Braden and Mat, if you’re reading this, thank you!
Finally, any parting words of wisdom for young professionals scaling the ranks in this practice of immigration law, either in the U.S. or around the world?
No matter where you are in your business journey, just remember who you are helping and what is at stake. Keep fighting the good fight!
Thank you, Angie.
For questions about the E2 visa, please contact Angie on WhatsApp at +1 (323) 434-4385 or email her at ARupert@RupertLawGroup.com For more information about the E2 visa or E2 visa requirements, please see RupertLawGroup.com
There is no force equal to a woman determined to rise. W.E. B Dubois
