The treaty between the U.S. and the U.K. that allows for the E2 visa was signed back in 1815. Back then, the U.K. was an expansive empire with commonwealths all over the world. In order to establish where the person was actually from (the British Isles or a commonwealth), the treaty dictates that the person must establish residency in the British Isles. The treaty still stands with the original language today.
It means that you must show proof of residency in the U.K. at the time of E2 application. In order to show residency, the embassy requires documentation to be submitted with the E2 visa application. Proof of residency may include any of the following:
The embassy strictly prohibits the use of the following documents in order to establish residency: UK driver’s license, proof of ownership of a car, TV license, National Insurance Number, cell phone bill, rewards/sports club cards for supermarkets/departments, etc., NHS, doctor or dentist information.
This is a question that we have handled successfully for other clients. The residency requirement will date back to the time that you applied for the original visa. In one case, a client applied for an F1 visa. He moved to the U.S. in order to attend school. Several years later, while he was still on the F1, he wanted to get an E2 visa. We provided documentation proving his residency at the time that he applied for the F1 visa in order to show that he was a resident of the U.K. The consulate accepted this documentation, and the E2 visa was granted.
Another distinction between the U.K. and some other countries is the E2 visa unit in London. Because of the sheer number of E2 visas reviewed and granted in London, the U.S. Department of State has determined that there should be a specialized group of consular officials and other professionals who have extra training on the E2 visa requirements. The unit’s focus is on supporting U.K. nationals looking to apply for an E2 visa. The group thoroughly understands the requirements needed to obtain an E2 visa, how to apply, and how to review the E2 documentation. The E2 visa unit at the U.S. embassy in London seeks to give UK citizens a smooth yet thorough application process. Applicants can trust the E2 visa unit’s knowledge and professionalism.
We have helped many U.K. clients over the years get E2 visas. Below are a few of our recent cases that have been approved for our clients in the U.K.
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