This year, the Knesset Interior Committee approved a bilateral treaty between Israel and the United States, allowing U.S. citizens to receive investor visas in Israel, which allows U.S. citizens to stay and work in Israel for as long as needed for their investment, along with the investor’s spouse and children and any essential business employees.
Another aspect of this bilateral treaty may be implementation of the E-2 visa eligibility for Israeli nationals seeking to invest in U.S. businesses, according to law firm JSBarkats’ Head of Immigration Ophelie Jaschke and Founding Partner Sunny J. Barkats.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected].
Thank you.
JSBarkats was listed as a 2014 best corporate securities attorney according to Thomson Reuters’ subsidiary SuperLawyers list.
Sunny J. Barkats argues that the U.S.’ E-2 treaty investor visa would have to grant the same benefits to Israeli citizens in the U.S.
“The Israeli community contributes greatly to the U.S. economy: In 2012, Israel had more companies listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange than any other country outside the U.S. Hence many of our clients at JSBarkats are Israeli public companies, listed on NASDAQ, ” Barkats explained.
Back in June 2012, President Obama signed the legislation for the implementation of an investor visa for Israelis but its implementation has been delayed while the Obama administration works at finalizing the terms of the visa.
David Newman, the Director of Legal Affairs at the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, estimated that the implementation of the Israeli investor visa could take approximately six months, which is in line with the time that had been required for implementing the E-3 visa for Australian nationals several years ago.
Which is why it is anticipated that both governments will finalize the implementation of the concurrent legislation and U.S. federal agencies will begin to accept Israelis’ E-2 visa applications soon.
Of course, with the Knesset being dissolved this week, there may be some additional delays.
Ophelie Jaschke added: “We have been known to assist and support French restaurateurs and startups in New York and Florida. We have had the opportunity to provide our services to individual Israeli entrepreneurs. We are excited about this new opportunity that will benefit both nations and bring tremendous brainpower to the U.S.”
In the meantime, Israeli nationals seeking U.S. visas based on international trade may apply under the E-1 trader visa category pursuant to the currently existing United States-Israel Trade Treaty.
Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire
