Investment Immigration Attorney in Austin, Texas
There are two main investment routes into the United States and they are less alike than they sound. An investment immigration attorney works out which one your nationality and your business plan allow, because one of them requires a treaty with your country and only one of them leads to a green card.
This is immigration advice about investment routes. Whether a business is a good investment is a commercial question and not one this firm answers.
Two Routes, and Only One Ends in a Green Card
The E-2 is a non-immigrant visa for someone investing in and directing a business in the United States, and it is only open to nationals of countries that hold a qualifying treaty with the United States. The EB-5 is an immigrant route: it leads to permanent residence, it has no treaty requirement, and it is built around a defined investment and job creation.
The treaty question is the fastest filter on this page, and it is decided by your nationality rather than by anything you can change. The Department of State publishes the list of treaty countries and it does change. If your country is not on it, the E-2 is closed to you whatever the business looks like.
The EB-5 has no treaty requirement, so it is open more broadly, and it costs more and asks more. It is measured against a minimum investment amount and a job creation requirement that USCIS sets and publishes, both of which have changed, so this page does not quote a figure. The consultation is where the current numbers get applied to your plan.
- The E-2 requires a qualifying treaty between the United States and your country
- The E-2 is renewable in principle but does not itself become a green card
- The EB-5 leads to permanent residence, initially conditional for two years
- USCIS publishes the current EB-5 investment minimums and job creation requirement
E-2 Against EB-5
The differences that actually decide it. Most people arrive having read that both are for investors and having no idea that only one of them gives them a green card.
| E-2 treaty investor | EB-5 investor green card | |
|---|---|---|
| The status it gives | A non-immigrant visa, renewable in principle | Permanent residence, conditional for the first two years |
| Nationality requirement | Yes. A qualifying treaty country only | None |
| Investment size | Substantial, relative to the business. USCIS and the consulate assess it | A defined minimum that USCIS publishes and has changed |
| Job creation | No fixed figure. The business must not be marginal | A defined requirement, set and published by USCIS |
| Your role | You must direct and develop the business | Can be more passive, depending on the structure |
| Leads to citizenship | Not by itself | Yes, through permanent residence in the normal way |
| If the business fails | Your status depends on the business | Conditional residence is at risk until conditions are removed |
Neither is a better route in the abstract. The E-2 suits somebody who wants to run a business here and holds the right passport; the EB-5 suits somebody whose priority is permanent residence and who can meet a larger, defined investment.
Investment Routes at a Glance
The two routes, the money each needs, and what your own role has to be.
Only for nationals of qualifying treaty countries.
Conditional for two years, then permanent.
They have changed. We apply the current ones to your plan.
Whether a spouse may work depends on the route.
You must direct and develop the business.
An I-829 filing, documenting what the investment actually did.
What Each Route Asks of You
The paperwork differs less than the substance. An E-2 case is about a business you will run; an EB-5 case is about money that can be traced and jobs that can be counted.
An E-2 Case
- Nationality of a qualifying treaty country, which is the threshold question
- A real and operating business, not a shell and not a marginal one
- A substantial investment relative to the cost of the business
- Evidence that you will direct and develop it, rather than hold a passive stake
An EB-5 Case
- An investment meeting the minimum USCIS currently sets
- Documentation of the project and of the enterprise itself
- A traceable, lawful flow of funds from you to the enterprise
- Sustained investment and job creation, which is what the later I-829 is measured against
How a Case Runs
The routes diverge after the first step, which is why the first step is the one worth doing carefully.
Establish Which Route Is Open
Nationality, the plan, the funds and your intended role. This settles E-2 against EB-5 and occasionally rules both out.
UsBuild the Evidence
For an E-2, the business and your role in it. For an EB-5, the project, the enterprise and the lawful source and path of the funds.
You and usFile or Apply
The EB-5 is a petition to USCIS. The E-2 is generally an application at a consulate, and can sometimes be a change of status from inside the United States.
UsInterview and Decision
For the E-2, a consular interview. For the EB-5, USCIS adjudication and then the residence application itself.
You, with usAfterwards
An E-2 needs renewing and the business has to keep meeting the terms. An EB-5 needs its conditions removed after two years.
UsThe treaty question and the funds question decide this, and both are quick to answer.
Your nationality and where the money came from decide this between them, and both are quick to establish.
What We Will Ask For
The financial documentation on an investment case is heavier than on any other route the firm handles, and the flow of funds is where cases are usually delayed.
The Firm Is Still There at the I-829
An EB-5 does not end when the petition is approved. Conditional residence has to be turned into permanent residence, and that filing is measured against what the investment actually did rather than what the plan said it would.
Nossa Law handles that stage as well: documentation of the project, the enterprise, the flow of funds, sustained investment and job creation. Firms that only take the petition leave the client to find somebody else two years later, when the person who built the original file is the one who should be defending it.
Pablo Nossa has practiced immigration law and nothing else since 2010, from offices in Austin and Houston. He takes the consultation himself and gives clients his cell number. The firm also tells you plainly when it does not see a viable route, which on an investment case is a cheaper conversation than a refused petition.
- Immigration law since 2010, and no other practice area
- The EB-5 petition and the conditional residence stage, from the same firm
- AILA member, with a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin
- Upfront pricing and flat-fee rates
Pablo Nossa
Principal attorney, and the person who conducts the consultation. J.D., University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Practicing immigration law since 2010, from the Austin and Houston offices.
Questions People Ask First
What is the EB-5 visa?
What is an E-2 visa?
Am I eligible for an E-2 visa?
What are the requirements for an E-2 visa?
How much do I have to invest?
Can I travel in and out on an E-2?
Do I need to form an LLC for an E-2 visa?
What does it cost?
Two Offices, One Attorney
Consultations with the attorney at either office.
Austin
7000 N Mopac Expy, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
Houston
2950 North Loop West, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77092
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
What People Say After the Case Closes
When my Wife and I started this process we interviewed several immigration attorneys and one Law Firm stood out well above all others; Nossa Law Firm. Pablo Nossa and his staff took care of all of our needs and provided excellent feedback and guidance throughout our immigration process. The Nossa Law Firm provided transparency and clarity as well as compassion for my family and I. I can’t thank Pablo and his team enough for their excellent service. I highly recommend the Nossa Law Firm to advocate on your behalf and guide you through the complexities of the immigration process. To those newly navigating the immigration process, please be mindful of the following: Yes, the processes takes time, Pablo explained the process with great detail and provided comprehensive, honest and realistic timelines. Yes, you need to choose an Attorney to assist you with the process, do not attempt the immigration process without legal Counsel. Keep good documentation (Pictures, Travel Itinerary, Communications with your love ones, …etc.) Don’t be scared of raising any issue of concern with your legal counsel, they are there to help make sense of this difficult process. Think with your head; sometimes your heart wants something so bad that emotions take over and you don’t make good decisions in such a state (I owe a big thanks to my incredible wife and Pablo in this regard for helping me understand the process). Be completely honest throughout the process. Last, but most importantly be patient, you are working with the government… Things take time!!! Trust the Nossa Law Firm to handle your immigration needs, they are very knowledgeable, experienced and will provide you with unmatched representation. Meeks’ Family
Travis M.Very happy with Nossa Law’s help! Here was our situation. My wife was immigrating to the US, and obviously it was extremely important for our case to go through with as little issues as possible. He is extremely responsible and flexible with his schedule! He met with us on a Sunday one day, and also at 7pm during the week since my work schedule didn’t lend itself well to meet at another time. He replied to all our or questions, and even after having to move to another city during our case processing, he was even able to meet with us via Skype. Definitely went beyond the extra mile with us, so very happy to recommend. Needless to say that our case was successful, and my wife has her Permanent Resident status now. We ‘shopped around’ and met with 2 immigration lawyers prior to meeting with Pablo Nossa. Other lawyers either first had us meet with a paralegal rather than talk to a lawyer, or when we had a follow-up question it was extremely difficult to actually get a response from the lawyer itself (I can let you know separately who these lawyers were if needed). Pablo’s advice was right on, so he proved to be fully knowledgeable. We had a ton of questions for him, and he was very patient and exact with his answers. Very professional. Two thumbs up. Better than advertised. Let me know if you need any other information and I’ll be glad to help. We found Pablo using Google, so we’ll only be happy to provide more details on our experience.
Juan G.Highly recommend Pablo for all immigration matters. As an attorney, he is extremely knowledgeable about all of the immigration processes and timelines and can work with you to make sure your application is complete and filed correctly, which is fundamental in making sure your application is reviewed and accepted. We worked with Pablo for my wife to change her status and get a Green Card once already in the US and Pablo was able to get it done much faster that we ever would have estimated to be possible. Anybody taking the time to read these reviews I’m sure has done their research and assumes that all of the immigration documents were created to be filled out by regular people, but the problem with this is that there are so many forms that have to be filled out and submitted in a certain order that if it isn’t done correctly you can set your application processing back by several months. I am certain that working with a knowledgeable lawyer like Pablo is definitely worth the investment as you can rest assured that things are getting done correctly and expediently. The other huge benefit is being able to ask Pablo questions 24/7 by email, text message or phone call and he gets back to you within minutes. Highly recommend Pablo, we are going to be using him on all immigration issues moving forward.
A Y.Pablo does excellent work, all my experience with him was SUPER positive! He agreed to meet me and to answer my questions even before I hired him, and not just for 5 min, but really took time to explain everything. Actually I even met him more than once before I signed anything. I could always call him, and every time, I only got polite, honest and EXACT answers to my questions. Im quite lucky that I found him, because I ve shopped around and I know that other companies want you to pay 200 hundred even before you open your mouth with a question. When I needed, he even agreed to meet me on his day off, which I really needed, because all my work days were so busy. My case was the greencard, he guided me through the process, telling me every next step, and everything was always happening just like he was saying, and in time that he would predict. My recommendation to everyone – just meet Pablo once, and you will instantly understand that he is the lawyer you can trust. To my surprise in addition to everything, the price was absolutely reasonable, I previously got quotes from different places, so I know what im talking about. All in all my process took from the beginning of November to the end of January, so it just took 3 months for my greencard to get approved! All I can say is Thank You
Serge R.I never write reviews but these guys deserve my time, because they gave us so much of theirs – so helpful!!! Anyway, my friend’s green card had been expired for a year and he was too scared to even look into fixing the problem. I wanted to help him so while searching, I came across Nossa law, and reached out to Pablo to see if he could do anything. He began by first explaining the full extent of the situation in a way we could understand, then went through the step by step process of what we were in for. By the end of our first meeting we were fully knowledgeable. My friend went from scared to educated and empowered, ready to move forward to fix his immigration issues. Pablo kept in contact with us regularly so we were actually able to understand what was going on throughout the process. Thank you Pablo and the sweet people at Nossa law for working to make the renewal process so seamless. Pablo even went so far as to help my friend’s mom come visit from Mumbai. He genuinely cared to help us, and he is clearly experienced and good at what he does. Dealing with immigration stuff sucks plus it’s so confusing, these guys really know how to make it less of a burden. Highly recommmend!!!!!!
Angela E.Mr. Nossa and his Team are the best immigration law office, second to none. After interviewing with a few immigration attorneys, we felt right at home when we met with Mr. Nossa. His staff is kind, compassionate and professional. He is very knowledgeable and instills trust from the get go. Our case lasted many years. Six to be exact. It was not an easy one and we hit several roadblocks along the way. Every time things got scary, he would redirect and re-strategize in a very calm and collected way. Another key point here is financials: we tend to think that a lawyer will cost us an arm and a leg, and although that is true for the minority of law offices, Nossa Law is very reasonable with the cost of their professional services. Do not be afraid to meet with them and get a road map as well as pricing. You’ll be happy you did. Lastly, their success rate is very high. Just by reading the 200+ reviews on here you will understand how good they are. I am happy to report out difficult case had a happy ending and everything came out successfully. Thank you Mr. Nossa and Team, you guys are AMAZING!
Alfredo A.My Journey with Mr Nossa goes back to 2013, that is when I meet him for the first time and spoke to him for about 20 minutes,by the time I was done with the initial consultation, I was happy and assured that I found a great competing talent in Mr Nossa who would fight for me and be there for me in every step of this long immigration battle. I have used Mr Nossa’s services twice during these 5 years and will be using him again for my Naturalization. He is more of a personal confidant than an attorney to me and he never treated me like a client ,always address me like a close friend. Mr Nossa personally gave me his cell phone number and was always a text away and he responds with in minutes. Immigration is a life changing event in one’s life if you want to leave your home country and live in the United States. Putting your case in the right hands is crucial for this process. Mr Nossa has the enthusiasm to work on immigration cases and to finish each case perfectly. I am one hundred percent satisfied with the legal service I got from this law firm, and recommend it to all.
Sundeep R.As a lawyer myself, I get a lot of legal questions from people on a wide range of issues. Being a real estate & land use attorney, most such questions are not within my realm of expertise or specialization. Enter Nossa Law (specifically Pablo Nossa). I’ve referred several people to Nossa Law who came to me with immigration issues/questions, and each and every one has made a point of letting me know that they were extremely satisfied with and appreciative of Pablo and his work. The resounding consensus is that Pablo possesses a deep understanding of immigration law, a genuine care for each client that underpins his unparalleled ability to effectively communicate the unique issues each client faces in approachable terms, and the experience to implement a strategy to overcome the hurdles faced by the client (to the extent they are legally surmountable). I will continue to refer each and every person I know that needs assistance navigating immigration issues to Pablo Nossa of Nossa Law. You would be wise to call Nossa Law if you or someone you know have has immigration issue.
Zeca M.Found Mr. Nossa through google after calling a few other attorney’s prior who were not much help, asked for a consultation fee, etc. Mr. Nossa agreed to meet quickly, the same day. He explained the process in detail and sounded confident. He offered a payment plan, but we agreed just to pay full upfront. His assistant rapidly sent us all the items required, and he drafted up the forms very quickly. He express shipped everything over quickly for processing. We even received a travel permit as requested in time for our travels. 1. You can text Mr. Nossa at anytime and he responds regardless of time 2. You can call Mr. Nossa on his mobile whenever you need 3. He is extremely professional and just works very quickly If you need an immigration attorney he is the go to person. I just could not believe how effortless this entire process was. What really helped ease the process was the communication and him responding ASAP when we had questions or concers. Finding Mr. Nossa was just blessing period!
K L.3 years ago, when I decided to once for all work on immigration papers, I did like many would do, ask friends and go online. What I felt at that time when reading Pablo’s reviews was that he was personable. That’s exactly that. He was available along the journey at every step and one phone call away. His team with Adriana and others is top notch. Very detail oriented, very knowledgeable, respectful and compassionate. You get confident knowing you have the best on your side. I thank all of them for what they do. His attorney fee is ridiculously low compared to the work they put in and the time it takes for the whole process. I received my green card (10yrs) and I’m for ever grateful to him. You can call him, you can text him and he’ll respond. It’s like having a powerful lawyer as a best friend! This guy will be blessed for years because of all the good he does. From the Diop family!
Ibrahima D.It is really rare to find such a talented, helpful and knowledgeable lawyer like Pablo. Our experience with him has been extremely pleasant. Due to some complications, we were really worried. But, during our first consultation he took his time to listen to our concerns and instantly put our mind at ease. Throughout the process that took over a year, he was always available to answer our questions and help us understand all the processes thoroughly and patiently. No matter what time of the day it was, he always replied to our texts within few minutes. Now that the process is complete, we have nothing but kind words for him to help us get through this time when we needed solid legal guidance. I strongly recommend that anyone who is seeking for a talented and reliable immigration lawyer should contact his office immediately. I guarantee that you will be glad that you hired him!
Ahmed H.I highly recommend Pablo Nossa to anyone who is looking to hire an immigration attorney. Mr. Nossa will get your work done professionally. He is very accommodating, and always returns calls if he misses them. If you call him at 2 a.m., he will answer your call and always give you the best answer to whatever questions you might have. He has very competitive pricing, compared to other immigration lawyers in the Houston-area, and you definitely your money’s worth AND more! TRUST ME you should get in touch with Pablo Nossa about your immigration issues and put him to work right away. Look no further, Mr. Pablo Nossa is definitely the lawyer you need working for you. I was more than satisfied with the level of service that my wife and I received and I am more than grateful for all of Mr. Nossa’s handwork, attention and dedication to my immigration case. Thank you again!!
Oladeji O.Every case is different. Past results and timelines do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Find Out Which Route Is Open
Nationality and the source of funds settle most of this in one conversation.
- Bring your passport, the business plan and what you know about the source of the funds
- You will leave knowing whether the E-2, the EB-5 or neither fits
- Upfront pricing and flat-fee rates
Austin · 7000 N Mopac Expy, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731
Houston · 2950 North Loop West, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77092
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 · pablo@nossalaw.com
Contact
(713) 599-1633pablo@nossalaw.com
Austin7000 N Mopac Expy, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78731
Directions
Houston2950 North Loop West, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77092
Directions
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5