E Visas Overview for Sari Law Firm
What are E Visas?
E visas are designed to promote trade and investment between the U.S. and countries with which it has treaties. These visas allow nationals of such countries to work in the U.S. to develop and direct their investment or trade. E visas are of two types:
- E-1 Treaty Trader Visa: For individuals or companies involved in substantial trade between the U.S. and their home country.
- E-2 Investor Visa: For individuals or companies investing a substantial amount of capital in the U.S. with the prospect of job creation.
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa
Eligible Countries:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- China (Taiwan)
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Honduras
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Korea (South)
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Togo
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
Requirements:
- The applicant must be a national of a treaty country.
- The trade must be substantial and primarily between the U.S. and the treaty country.
- The applicant must be in a supervisory or executive position or possess essential skills.
- The applicant must intend to depart the U.S. upon termination of E-1 status.
E-2 Investor Visa
Eligible Countries:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- China (Taiwan)
- Colombia
- Congo (Brazzaville)
- Congo (Kinshasa)
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Grenada
- Honduras
- Iran
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea (South)
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Senegal
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Togo
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Requirements:
- The applicant must be a national of a treaty country.
- The applicant must have invested or be actively in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. enterprise.
- The investment must be substantial and not marginal.
- The applicant must be in a supervisory, executive, or essential skills position.
- The applicant must intend to depart the U.S. upon termination of E-2 status.
Application Process
-
File Form DS-160:
- Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form DS-160.
- Pay the visa application fee and save the receipt.
-
Gather Required Documents:
- Valid passport.
- Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Fee payment receipts.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Evidence of trade or investment.
- Proof of ties to your home country.
- Employment verification documents.
-
Schedule and Attend Interview:
- Schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Attend the visa interview with all required documents.
Duration and Extensions
- E visas are typically issued for five years and can be reissued.
- Each entry grants a stay of up to two years.
- Extensions can be obtained in two-year increments as long as the visa holder maintains eligibility and treaty status.
Dependents
- Spouses and unmarried minor children of E visa holders can also enter the U.S. under E visas.
- Spouses can apply for work authorization after entry.
- Children can attend school but cannot work.