🇫🇷 FR 🇺🇸 EN 🇲🇽 ES
Paola Usquelis, Esq. Immigration Attorney · Florida
Probinsky, Cole & Usquelis — Immigration Law Firm

Immigration Attorney · Sarasota, Florida

Your path to America —
guided by someone who made it too.

Born in France, trained in Grenoble and Miami, practicing immigration law since 2000. Trilingual. Three continents of experience. One focus: your case.

25+ Years Practice
100% Investor Visa Approvals
3 Languages
Schedule a Consultation View Practice Areas
Paola Usquelis, Esq. — Immigration Attorney, Sarasota FL
100%
Investor Visa Approvals

About Paola

A French lawyer
who chose Florida.

I grew up in France, earned my law degree and MBA at Grenoble, and moved to Miami in 1992 to pursue my own American dream. I know firsthand what it means to navigate a new country, a new legal system, a new language.

After obtaining my Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 2000 and passing the Florida Bar that same year, I have dedicated my practice exclusively to immigration law — helping individuals and entrepreneurs from across the Americas and Europe build their lives here.

Today I practice as a partner at Probinsky, Cole & Usquelis, Sarasota. My clients trust me not just for my legal expertise, but because I understand their journey from the inside.

  • 🎓
    Licence en Droit + MBAUniversité Pierre Mendès France, Grenoble
  • ⚖️
    Juris Doctor (J.D.)University of Miami School of Law, 2000
  • 🏛️
    Florida Bar, 2000Member in good standing
  • 📊
    MBA — a strategic advantageUnique background for investor visa cases (E-2, EB-5)
  • 🌍
    TrilingualEnglish · French · Spanish
  • 🏢
    Probinsky, Cole & Usquelis3422 Magic Oak Lane, Sarasota, FL 34232
📊

Why an MBA matters in immigration law

Investor visa cases — E-2 and EB-5 — require more than legal knowledge. They demand an understanding of business plans, financial projections, job creation models, and commercial viability. Paola's MBA gives her a rare dual lens: attorney and business analyst. When USCIS scrutinizes your investment, your attorney needs to understand what they're looking at.

Practice Areas

Immigration Law,
in all its complexity.

From investor visas to humanitarian protection — every case is handled personally, in your language.

💼
E-2 Investor Visa
For entrepreneurs from treaty countries investing in a U.S. business. Paola holds a 100% approval record on investor visa cases since 2000.
100% Success Rate
🌟
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability
Green card for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field — business, arts, sciences, athletics, education. No employer sponsor required.
100% Success Rate
💰
EB-5 Investor Green Card
Permanent residency through direct U.S. investment ($800K–$1.05M). Paola guides clients through complex capital and job-creation requirements.
100% Success Rate
🏠
Family-Based Immigration
Petitions for spouses, children, and family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
🛡️
Asylum & Humanitarian
Protection for individuals facing persecution. Compassionate, confidential, and thorough case preparation.
🔑
U Visa & VAWA
Legal protection for victims of crimes and domestic violence. Handled with full discretion and sensitivity.
💼
EB-2 — Employment-Based Green Card
Legal permanent residency based on your employment with a U.S. employer. For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
🌐
Naturalization
Citizenship applications for eligible permanent residents. Paola guides clients through every step of the process.
💼
Employment Visas
H-1B, L-1, O-1 and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas for professionals and executives.

E-2 Treaty Countries — Official Resource

🔗 Check if your country has an E-2 treaty with the U.S. (State Dept.) →

Video Resources

Watch Paola
explain immigration visas.

Short video guides on investor visas and legal immigration — by Paola Usquelis.

🎬
Investor Visa Information 2023
E-2 & Investor Visas · English
🎬
How to Immigrate Legally into the United States
Immigration Guide · English
🎬
E-2 Visa — Investor Visa
E-2 Deep Dive · English / Français

Client Testimonials

Trusted by clients
from three continents.

Paola is highly skilled in representing immigrant entrepreneurs in obtaining different visas including the E-2 and L-1 visas. Her work product is of excellent quality and she is readily available to discuss each client's particular case from beginning all the way up to visa issuance.

Business Attorney
Via LinkedIn

From our very first conversation, Paola made us feel that our case was in capable hands. She explained every step clearly and in our language. Our E-2 application was approved without issue.

French Entrepreneur
Sarasota, Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions,
answered.

What is the minimum investment for an E-2 visa?
There is no fixed legal minimum, but USCIS requires a \"substantial\" investment relative to the total cost of the enterprise. In practice, investments under $100,000 face significant scrutiny. Paola works with you to structure your investment and business plan to meet the substantiality requirement. French citizens typically receive E-2 status for 4 years, renewable indefinitely as long as the business operates.
Can my spouse work on an E-2 visa?
Yes. An E-2 spouse receives an unrestricted Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing work for any U.S. employer — not just your business. This is one of the significant advantages of the E-2 compared to some other visa categories.
What is the difference between EB-5 and E-2?
The E-2 is a temporary work visa (renewable) that requires you to maintain intent to leave the U.S. when your status expires. The EB-5 leads directly to a green card (permanent residency) but requires a much larger investment ($800,000–$1,050,000) and creation of at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Paola can help you evaluate which path fits your situation and goals.
How long does the immigration process typically take?
It varies significantly by visa type. An E-2 through the U.S. embassy can take 2–4 months. Family-based green cards for a spouse of a U.S. citizen typically take 12–18 months. EB-5 and EB-1 timelines vary based on country of origin and current USCIS processing loads. Paola provides realistic timelines for your specific situation during the initial consultation.
Which countries have E-2 treaty status with the United States?
Over 80 countries have E-2 investor treaties with the U.S., including France, most of Europe, Canada, Colombia, Japan, and many others. The complete and official list is maintained by the U.S. Department of State: E-2 Treaty Countries →
Is immigration law affected by political changes?
Immigration law is federal law and applies uniformly across the U.S. While executive policy can affect processing times and certain categories, investor and merit-based immigration (E-2, EB-1, EB-5) has remained largely stable across administrations. Paola monitors policy changes closely and keeps her clients informed of anything that may affect their cases.

Contact

Start with
a conversation.

Every case begins with a consultation. Paola speaks English, French, and Spanish — reach out in the language that's most comfortable for you.

Call (941) 371-8800

Paola Usquelis, Esq. practices immigration law as a partner at Probinsky, Cole & Usquelis, a law firm licensed in the State of Florida. All consultations and legal services are provided through the firm. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.