The United States offers a variety of visa options for foreign entrepreneurs and investors who wish to conduct business within its borders. Among these are the E1 and E2 visas, also known as treaty trader and treaty investor visas. These visas are designed to facilitate and enhance economic interaction between the U.S. and countries with which it maintains treaties of commerce and navigation.
E1 treaty trader visa
The E1 treaty trader visa is designed for individuals or companies engaged in substantial trade activities between the U.S. and treaty countries. The primary purpose of the E1 visa is to promote and facilitate ongoing trade activities. This includes trade in goods, services or technology.
To qualify for an E1 visa, the applicant must be from a treaty country and participate in continuous substantial exchanges aimed at cementing economic cooperation. Moreover, the trade involved must be the international exchange of items of trade between the U.S. and a treaty country.
What to know about an E2 treaty investor visa
The E2 treaty investor visa is designed for individuals or companies who make a substantial investment in a U.S. enterprise. The E2 visa supports the growth and success of a U.S. enterprise with the help of a treaty country.
To qualify for an E2 visa, the applicant must be a national of a treaty country and need to invest, or in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a valid U.S. business or enterprise. The investor seeking to enter the U.S. most do so solely to develop and direct the enterprise.
Differences between E1 and E2 visas
While both E1 and E2 visas facilitate economic interaction between the U.S. and treaty countries, they serve different purposes and have different eligibility criteria.
- Purpose: The E1 visa is intended for individuals engaged in substantial trade activities between the U.S. and treaty countries. The E2 visa, on the other hand, is designed for individuals who make a substantial investment in a U.S. enterprise and seek to develop and direct the business.
- Eligibility criteria: For the E1 visa, the applicant must be engaged in international trade on their behalf. For the E2 visa, the applicant must have invested substantial capital in a U.S. business.
- Nature of activities: E1 visa holders are primarily involved in international trade activities, while E2 visa holders are engaged in investment and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Opening E1 and E2 treaty trader businesses
To open a business under an E1 or E2 visa, the applicant must first establish that the trading or investment enterprise meets the legal requirements. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a U.S. consular office abroad will provide the applicant with special forms for this purpose.
For E1 visa applicants, the trade involved must be the international exchange of items of trade between the U.S. and a treaty country. For E2 visa applicants, they must have invested, or be actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.
Applications take careful planning
The E1 and E2 visas offer exciting opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs and investors to expand their businesses into the U.S. market. However, applying for these visas can be complex and requires careful planning and preparation. For best results, it is often best to seek advice from an immigration lawyer to navigate the intricate U.S. immigration laws.