Immigration Lawyers
E-1 and E-2 treaty visas are for traders and investors from certain countries. The purpose is to encourage and facilitate international trade and other commercial interaction between the U.S. and the countries with which we have reciprocal trade agreements. You must be from one of these 78 countries to qualify for the E-1 or E-2 visa. Both are non-resident visas. If you are interested in an E-1 or E-2 visa for yourself or an employee, please talk to the immigration lawyers of the Chávez Law Group, today.
Substantial Trade or Investment
When applying for an E-1 or E-2 treaty visa, the investment or trade involved must be considered substantial. This does not translate to a specific amount, but depends on the type of business or trade involved.
For E-1 traders, “substantial” means ongoing trade between the U.S. and the treaty country, not just a single transaction. For E-2 investors, substantial is relative to the value of the business or the cost of starting the business. For businesses of lower value, the percentage you must invest is higher.
Advantages of E-1 and E-2 Visas
E-1 and E-2 visas are temporary visas and they are not dual purpose visas. This means that they do not allow for conversion to Green Card status, but they can be renewed indefinitely, as long as the business or trading continues.
Your spouse and children under 21 can join you in the U.S. if you have an E-1 or E-2 visa, and your spouse can work in this country.
E-1 and E-2 visas do not carry educational requirements or require that you have a history of employment with a sponsoring company.
E-1 Trade Visas
For the purposes of the E-1 visa, trade includes the exchange of goods, services, and technology. This trade must be principally between the U.S. and the treaty country.
E-2 Investor Visas
One of the most important qualifications for an E-2 investor treaty is that the business cannot be marginal. That means it must make more than just enough money to support the owner and the owner’s family. Ideally, it will benefit the local economy by creating jobs for U.S. workers.
E-2 visas can be used to create a new company in the U.S. without the prior existence of a company in your home country or elsewhere. If you are starting a new business you will have to provide a detailed business plan.
If you or someone you love is interested in obtaining U.S. citizenship or is facing deportation, please talk to the immigration lawyers of the Chávez Law Group, today, or submit our online questionnaire.