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Nationality Issue Relevant In The Representation Of Multinational Korean Companiesby Young H. NohThe issue of nationality is encountered quite frequently during U.S. immigration practitioners' representations of foreign clients applying for E-1 or E-2 clients, but in the context of private or closely-held companies it usually suffices to verify that the shareholders are nationals of the applicable foreign country. A recent encounter has revealed how the issue of nationality can get quite interesting where a multinational Korean company is involved.
For example: To date, companies which are no longer considered to be "Korean" companies for the purpose of E-2 visas include:
The controlling FAM provisions are 9 FAM 41.51 N3.1, N3.2: "Pursuant to 22 CFR 41.51 (c)2, nationals of the treaty country must own at least 50 percent of the business in question. In corporate structures one looks at the nationality of the owners of the stock. If a business in turn owns another business, then nationality of ownership must be traced to the point of reaching the 50 percent rule with respect to the parent organization. In most cases, this should pose no real problem, but, in modern business structures and layered relationships, consular officers will have to rely heavily on the evidence presented to adjudicate whether the business entity in question possesses the requisite nationality." In addition to this general rule used for determining nationality, the FAM further elaborates on the case of a multinational corporation, which often necessitates consular assistance due to the complex corporate structure that is likely to exist.[1] The latest word from the American Embassy in Seoul is that it has requested an opinion from the Washington, D.C. whether the companies such as Samsung Electronics should be considered a "Korean" company for purposes of E-2 visas. It would not be surprising if the Washington, D.C. affirms the current practice and issues a cable guidance regarding this issue. One interesting question I might raise is whether the USCIS and/or other Embassies around the world are aware of this issue. In conclusion, immigration practitioners representing large, Korean companies should no longer take for granted that the adjudicating consular officer will consider these companies to possess "Korean" nationality for the purpose of E-2 visa.
[1] 9 FAM 41.51 N3.2 Place of Incorporation "…In case of a multinational corporation whose stock is exchanged in more than one country, then the applicant muse satisfy the consular officer by the best evidence available that the business meets the nationality requirement..."
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