Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors
The following countries are eligible for both E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treat Investor visas unless indicated by an asterisk:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh**, Belgium, Bolivia*, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei*, Bulgaria**, Cameroon**, Canada, Colombia, Congo**, Costa Rica, Coratia, Czechoslovakia**, Denmark*, Egypt**, Estonia*, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece*, Grenada**, Honduras, Iran, Ireland*, Israel*, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan**, Korea, Kyrgyzstan**, Latvia*, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Modova**, Morocco**, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama**, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland**, Romania**, Senegal**, Slovak Republic**, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka**, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia**, Turkey, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, Zaire**.
** indicates country is eligible only for E-2 visa.
Treaty Traders E1 Visas
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You can work legally in the U.S. or a U.S. company for whom more than 50% of the business is trade between the U.S. and your home country
- You may travel in and out of the U.S. or remain in the U.S. continuously until the E-1 Visa expires
- E-1 Visas allows you to stay in the U.S. as long as you maintain E-1 qualifications
- Visas are available to family members and single children under 21 years of age
- Initial visa may be granted for 2 years and can be extended for two years at a time
- There are no limitations on the number of extensions
- Spouse of E-1Visa holder may work legally in the U.S.
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You must be a citizen of the treaty country
- The U.S. company must be at least 50% owned by citizens of your treaty country holding a E-1 visa
- You must be the 50% owner or executive level key employee
- 51% of the company trade must be between U.S. and your treaty country
Treaty Investors E-2 Visas
Privileges
- You can work legally in the U.S. for a U.S. business in which a substantial cash investment has been made by you or other citizens of your home country
- You may travel in and out of the U.S. or remain in U.S. until your E-2 visa expires
- E-2 visa is initially issued for a 2 year term and can be extended for another 2-year term
- There are no limitations on the number of extensions
- Family can come to U.S. under E-2 as well
- Spouse of E-2 may work legally in the U.S.
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You must be a citizen of a treaty country
- Company in the U.S. must be at least 50% owned by citizens of your treaty country
- You must be a 50% owner or executive level employee
- No specific required amount of investment is written in the law. Immigration will compare the amount of investment with similar kind of business in the same geographic area
- Job creation is often required
- Business must be actively engaged in trade or the rendering of services. (Investment in holding companies, stocks, bonds, residential properties and land speculations will not meet the active trade requirements.)
