E-1 AND E-2 VISAS INFO
The E nonimmigrant category is available only if a treaty of commerce and navigation or a bilateral investment treaty providing for nonimmigrant entries is in existence between the U.S. and the foreign country.
The following countries have trade and investment treaties with the United States and their nationals are eligible for both E-1 and E-2 status:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Iran (with restrictions), Ireland, Italy, Japan , Korea , Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom.
The following countries have trade treaties with the United States which allow for conferral of E-1 (treaty-trader status) to the nationals of said countries:
Bolivia, Brunei, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Israel.
The following countries have investment treaties with the United States which allow for conferral of E-2 (treaty-investor status) to the nationals of said country:
Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Congo, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt Estonia, Grenada, Georgia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Zaire, Panama, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine.
Visa Ineligibility / Waiver
The nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-156 lists classes of persons who are ineligible under U.S. law to receive visas. In some instances an applicant who is ineligible, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a treaty trader or treaty investor, may apply for a waiver of ineligibility and be issued a visa if the waiver request is approved.
Required Documentation
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- An application Form DS-156E, completed and signed. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices.
- A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in the passport, each person must complete an application.
- One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements.
- All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must complete and submit a form DS-157 in addition to the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156E).
- As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. During the visa interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken, as well as a digital photo. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply.
Optional Documentation
An applicant for a Treaty Trader (E-1) or Treaty Investor (E-2) visa must first establish that the trading enterprise or investment enterprise meets the requirements of the law. The consular officer will provide the applicant with special forms for this purpose. An applicant may also be asked to provide evidence, which illustrates that the stay in the U.S. will be temporary. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants' circumstances vary greatly.
