What Is the E Visa?

The E visa is for treaty traders and investors who come to the U.S. under a treaty of commerce and navigation between the U.S. and the country of which the treaty trader or investor is a citizen. See below for a list of participating countries.

There are 3 types of E Visa:

E-1 Treaty Traders
E-2 Treaty Investor
E-3 Australian Specialty Occupation Workers

What Are the E Visa Treaty Countries?

In order to qualify for an E visa, you have to be a national of a country that has a Treaty with the U.S. for E visas.

All the treaty countries are listed on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

What is the E-2 Visa?

Applicants use the E-2 Treaty Visa to enter the U.S. solely to develop and direct an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. The primary visa holder’s spouse and children may also be granted an E-2 dependent visa.

E-2 Eligibility
How to obtain an E-2 Visa
E-2 Visa Application and Filing Fees
How long does an E-2 Visa last?

E-2 Visa Eligibility

Foreign nationals sharing the same nationality as the company or person that owns the sponsoring U.S. entity may apply for an E-2 visa.

There are three types of individuals eligible for an E-2 visa:

- A foreign national investor with a sizable stake (at least $200,000 usually) in a U.S. entity (at least 50% ownership must always be held)
- A managerial or executive employee of a foreign investing corporation maintaining controlling interest at all times, with at least 50% ownership
- An essential employee of a foreign investing corporation with key skills that allow for performing specific job functionalities

How to Obtain An E-2 Visa

To obtain an E-2 investor visa, the applicant must:

- Be sufficiently involved to ensure the success of the operation
- Lead to a fully operational commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking
- Generate more income than to provide a living for the traveler’s family, or it should majorly impact the U.S. economy

E-2 Visa Application and Filing Fees

The following are costs for the E-2 visa: 

- Consulate application filing fee: $205 
- USCIS application filing fee: $460. Applicants typically apply for the E-2 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad and can be extended with USCIS as needed.
- Premium processing: $2,500. Employers can pay the premium processing fee when available, and USCIS will adjudicate the E-2 petition within 15 calendar days. This means USCIS will approve, issue a request for evidence or deny the visa petition.

How Long Does An E-2 Visa Last?

Applicants have an initial stay of two years. They can then apply for extensions in two-year increments. As such, the total stay for an individual on the E-2 visa varies.

If the temporary nature of the assignment changes, please speak with your attorney.

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