E-1 TREATY TRADER CHECKLIST AND REQUIREMENTS

DESCRIPTION: Treaty Trader visa allows nationals from countries which have trade treaties in effect with the United States to enter the United States for the purpose of conducting trade between the United States and the country of majority ownership of the trading company. The majority ownership of the trading company must be by a treaty country. The trading company must be involved in substantial trade which is principally between the United States and the treaty country. The employee must be of the same treaty country, and the employee must be serving the company in either a managerial capacity or possessing an "essential skill". There is no numerical cap on years and it is possible to remain in Treaty Trader status for many years. The treaty trader must always be prepared to establish to the consular officer that he intends to return abroad upon completion of his venture and will have his status cancelled if he is unable to do so.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS:

• business plan outlining future investment scheme
• substantial trade principally between the United States and the treaty country
• documentation regarding majority ownership of company; type of trade involved; volume of trade; and percentage of trade between United States operation and treaty country
• duties and qualifications of individual
• approval by U.S. consul

The following is the list of countries for which the E-1 is available:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brunei, Canada, Republic of China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, or the United Kingdom.

Please note that while we endeavor to keep the E-1 list current, State Department changes may add or delete countries from the list without our knowledge. While we make every effort to update this site to reflect changes in the country list, we are very concerned with the possibility of an E-1 or E-2 slipping by a potentially qualified person! Check with a qualified immigration attorney to make sure you qualify before embarking on this route.

E-2 TREATY INVESTOR CHECKLIST AND REQUIREMENTS

DESCRIPTION: Treaty Investor visa allows nationals from countries which have trade treaties in effect with the United States to enter the United States for the purpose of developing a business. No INS approval is required for these visas but a substantial investment (generally over $100,000.00) is required. Factors such as creation of U.S. jobs and potential for future growth are considered in adjudicating these visas. The E-2 visa is available to the principal investor as well as to essential employees; there is no numerical cap on years and it is possible to remain in Treaty Investor status for many years. The treaty investor must always be prepared to establish to the consular officer that he intends to return abroad upon completion of his venture and will have his status cancelled if he is unable to do so.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS:

• business plan outlining future investment scheme
• substantial investment in the United States leading to the creation of U.S. jobs
• approval by the U.S. consul

(NOTE: No INS approved petition is required for this visa; a change of status from other non-immigrant visa category is available through the INS, but "E" visas are most frequently adjudicated directly by the consul.)

The following is the list of countries for which the E-2 is available:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brunei, Canada, Republic of China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, or the United Kingdom.

Please note that while we endeavor to keep the E-2 list current, State Department changes may add or delete countries from the list without our knowledge. While we make every effort to update this site to reflect changes in the country list, we are very concerned with the possibility of an E-1 or E-2 slipping by a potentially qualified person! Check with a qualified immigration attorney to make sure you qualify before embarking on this route.