E-2 visa lawyer in New York: partner counsel admitted in the state

New York E-2 cases: strengths and costs

New York offers the strongest possible demand story for a business plan. Population density, tourism and corporate spending let restaurants, consultancies and service companies show revenue and hiring quickly. Consular officers also know that New York is expensive, so they expect plans with realistic Manhattan or Brooklyn rents, New York wage levels, and enough working capital to survive the first year.

Formation is more involved than in Texas or Florida. A New York LLC pays a $200 filing fee and must publish notice in two newspapers for six weeks, which costs $500 to $2,000 depending on the county (Manhattan is the most expensive). New York State and New York City both tax resident income. Many investors form in New Jersey or on Long Island and serve the city from there.

Choosing New York counsel

New York has more immigration lawyers than any other city. For E-2, ask about volume and consulates rather than reputation in other categories. TealBridge’s partner attorney Alexander Devine is admitted to the New York State Bar, with a background as General Counsel and Compliance Officer of a JPMorgan subsidiary, a JD from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School and an MBA from London Business School. He advises private investors and multinational enterprises on corporate, cross-border and business immigration matters and represents our clients before USCIS and at consulates. Details are on the team page.

TealBridge’s role is the business: selection or acquisition, entity and banking, lease and permits, hiring, the investment paper trail and the five-year plan. For New York we pay particular attention to the working-capital line and to the lease, because both are where New York plans fail.

Industries that work in New York

Restaurants and specialty food (with the Department of Health permit and, where relevant, a State Liquor Authority license that takes months), consultancies serving companies entering the U.S. market, technology firms, import and wholesale businesses in fashion and food, renovation contractors licensed by the Department of Buildings, and beauty and boutique fitness concepts. Acquisitions of existing businesses in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island often deliver the best combination of price and existing payroll.

Route and timeline for New York applicants

Applicants already in the U.S. on B-1/B-2, F-1 (Columbia, NYU, Fordham and others) or H-1B often change status through USCIS with premium processing, then obtain the visa at a consulate later. Others apply directly at the consulate in their home country. Consular review runs four to twelve weeks depending on the post. See processing time.

Fees

New York attorney flat fees for E-2 typically run $5,000 to $12,000 for the principal, with dependents $500 to $1,500 each. The business plan is separate at $2,500 to $8,000. Government fees are the same everywhere: $315 per consular applicant or USCIS I-129 fees plus premium processing. See E-2 visa cost.