E-2 Investor Status Case Study: Architect from Colombia Secures Extension 

Colombia

Architect

Architects often view the world through the structures they imagine and the spaces they hope to improve. Our client is no exception, addressing every project with a disciplined approach and a clear sense of responsibility to the communities he serves. His work reflects a commitment to creating spaces that serve the people who rely on them, whether in daily living, learning, or community gathering. When he decided to pursue E-2 investor status, he applied this same disciplined, purposeful thinking to the next stage of his career.  By the time he came to us to pursue this petition, he had already spent nearly twenty years in Colombia shaping spaces that solved real human needs, from homes and classrooms to community centers built in places where construction wasn’t always simple or convenient. 

When he came to the United States, he built a business in Texas focused on residential development. He supported subcontractors, kept detailed financial records, and ran a company committed to delivering high-quality projects.  

When Attorney Dallan Bunce prepared the petition for his extension of E-2 status, the goal was to clearly explain that the investor had continued to develop and direct his enterprise in a manner that was consistent with the business plan he had filed. And it worked. The case was filed with premium processing, and it went very smoothly. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviewed the case and issued a decision in 16 calendar days. 

E-2 Status Approved for an Architect from Colombia
Client Profile

A Career Built on Real Places and Real Needs

Our client started in Bogotá, studying architecture and later earning specialized training in Construction Management. That education led him into the practical world of construction, work that required managing budgets, coordinating crews, and solving the kinds of problems that come with the realities of a job site. 

With 17 years of experience, he worked on construction sites, supervised development projects, coordinated teams, reviewed budgets, and directed work in residential and institutional settings. This knowledge and expertise shaped his decision to pursue an investor pathway in the United States. He had brought his experience to a new environment because he wanted an opportunity to build for his family and continue the work to which he had dedicated his career.  

The Challenge

The Responsibility Behind his American Dream

Filings for extensions of status for investors are interesting because the challenge is showing what the client has built, why it is profitable, and why it is real. As Attorney Dallan Bunce explained: “These clients have invested in a life in the United States… they have family here, their kids are going to school, and they have built a whole world around living in the US.” That’s the part you don’t see in forms or checklists, but it’s the part that gives the case meaning. 

On paper, the requirements for an extension of E-2 status were straightforward: evidence that the business continued to be active, proof the client still owned the business, confirmation of the company’s licenses and insurance, evidence showing day-to-day operations, and documentation showing the client’scontinued role directing the enterprise. 

The evidence needed to be descriptive enough that an officer could understand who this client is, what he brought to the United States, and how his business continues to contribute to the United States. 

Strategic Response

Building a Case the Same Way He Builds Projects- Piece by Piece

Attorney Bunce began by reviewing the client’s professional background and isolating the materials that best reflected the client’s qualifications as an experienced construction professional. He then assembled the core evidence required for a petition for an extension of status for an E-2 investor. This included proof of ownership of the business tied to the client’s E-2 status, financial records showing the business’s sustained activity, and documentation such as licenses, insurance, and bank statements to explain the business’s ongoing operations.  
 
Everything was organized to present a complete picture. The client had a long and consistent career in construction, the client made an investment in a business that he had created in the United States, and the client had continued to operate his business in a manner that was real, active, and meaningful. 

The Result

Sixteen Days to E-2 Status Extension

The case was filed with premium processing, and it went very smoothly. Upon submission of the petition, USCIS completed its review and approved the petition in 16 calendar days. This successful result allowed our client to continue operating his business in the United States 

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Why this Case Succeeded
  • A strong professional record: The client had 17 years of construction experience, supported by degrees in Architecture and Construction Management, along with documented leadership in complex projects before making the client’s investment. 
  • A fully documented investment: Financial statements, tax records, banking evidence and a fund-transfer trail established a lawful, verifiable source of capital. 
  • Proof of continuous business activity: Licenses, insurance, office lease records, utility bills, marketing materials, website evidence and bank statements confirmed day-to-day operations. 
  • Strong financial performance: Corporate tax returns, payroll documents and management reports showed meaningful revenue and a business capable of supporting employment. 
  • Evidence of executive leadership: Experience letters and project lists demonstrated the client’s role in directing strategy, supervising staff, and managing operations in line with E-2 requirements. 
  • A well-organized, attorney-led submission: Attorney Bunce presented the evidence clearly to demonstrate the client had complied with the requirements for an extension of E-2 status.
Case Overview
Category  Details 
Status Classification  E-2 Treaty Investor 
Nationality  Colombian 
Professional Field  Architecture and Construction Management 
Education  Degree in Architecture; Postgraduate studies in Construction Management 
Request for Evidence (RFE)  No 
Final Outcome  Approved 
Timeline  16 days from submission to decision 
Lead Attorney  Dallan Bunce 

Related Resources 

E-2 Visa for Colombian Investors: Your Gateway from Colombia to USA   

E-2 Visa Investment Requirements Explained: Eligibility, Amount, And Key Criteria   

E-2 Visa Processing Time (2025): How Long It Really Takes and Smart Ways to Speed It Up