Treaty Traders and Investors

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, Phillipines, 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-1 visa.
** indicates country is eligible only for E-2 visa.

Treaty Traders E1 Visas

Privileges

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.)

LEGAL CONSULTATIONS

Estate Planning, Business and Immigration Law