All E visa applicants 14 years-old and older must appear for an in-person interview when applying for the first time. In Canada, all first time E visa interviews are conducted at the US Consulate in Toronto. The interview differs based on the role the applicant will play in the E visa company: Investor, Executive/Managerial, Essential Employee. Interviews for dependent spouses and children are much shorter and usually center around whether they intend to work for the E visa company. Interviews are typically scheduled for 15 minutes –Essential Employee and Executive/Managerial—or 30 minutes—Investors. The interviews are directed toward the business operations and any criminal or adverse immigration issues of the applicant. This is the only time an applicant will be face-to-face with the person that will decide whether their visa should be approved or denied—visa issuance decisions are made at the interview. No attorneys or other representatives are allowed to attend interviews.
At Lawsorio Consulting we closely monitor E1 and E2 visa issuances at the US Consulate in Toronto. During CY2023 the US Consulate in Toronto issues a staggering 89% more E2 visas and 74% more E1 visas compared to pre-COVID CY2019. As a result, E visa appointment wait times have returned to pre-COVID levels. At the same time, B1/B2—business & visitor—visa issuances increased by just 14% with interview wait times as of February 13, 2024, at 795 calendar days according to US Department of State statistics. The data suggests that the US Department of State has placed a priority on clearing the COVID backlog of E visas over issuance of B1/B2 visas. Based on the economic impact the E visa program brings, this should not be a surprise. While a member of the E visa team in 2017, Mr. Lawson was presented with the prestigious Franklin Award for “…facilitating $200 million of investments into the United States each month.”
As a former employee in the E visa team at the US Consulate in Toronto, Mr. Lawson was personally involved in countless E visa—and other visa classes—interviews and his clients benefit from that experience. As part of the services provided, Mr. Lawson will conduct a mock interview to prepare his clients for the pivotal moment in the application process.
If you are interested in applying for an E1 or E1 non-immigrant visa, please contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.lawsorioconsulting.com to schedule a consultation.
