List of E2 Treaty Countries by E2 Visa Length
The E2 visa is one of the few methods for a foreign entrepreneur to live and work in the US. The procedure for obtaining this visa is rather simple when compared to other visas like the H-1B, but qualifying can be difficult. Find out what it takes to qualify for the E2 Investor Visa.
Jump to ;List of E2 Visa Countries by Visa Length
E2 Treaty Countries are countries that have a bilateral treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States. In that regard, the E2 Investor Visa allows you to invest in the United States. Additionally, you will control this investment while in the United States. What this means is that you can start or purchase an existing business and live in the United States while developing your investment.
There is no required minimum or maximum investment amount, but it is generally accepted that investments of less than $150,000 are more difficult to get authorized. Consult with your immigration attorney to see whether your planned investment meets the criteria and whether your company is genuine.
Eligibility for E2 Classification
To qualify for the E2 classification, you should:
- Be a national of a country with which the United States has signed a treaty of commerce and navigation
- Have invested or in the process of investing a significant amount of money in a genuine business in the United States
- You need to show you’re solely looking to come to the United States to develop and run the investment business. This is demonstrated by showing at least 50 percent ownership or operational control through a managerial post or another corporate mechanism.
However, to qualify, all the criteria above are secondary to the requirement that you be a citizen or resident of a nation that has signed a trade and commerce treaty with the United States.
The E2 Visa Length Is Based On E2 Visa Countries Reciprocity
The length of your E-2 Visa depends on the treaty country. Each country has a specific E-2 validity period, based on the reciprocity schedule between your country and the US.
Reciprocity is how the US determines the validity periods, number of admissions, and visa fees for different countries based on their treatment of United States citizens. Thus, if your country imposes restrictive visa requirements on United States citizens, then the US will reciprocate with similar restrictive requirements on your country’s citizens. Additionally, the purpose of reciprocity is to have more progressive visa regimes. Similarly, it is also to encourage international travel that will benefit United States travelers and businesses.
The majority of the eligible E-2 status treaty visa countries have a 5-year validity. However, some treaty countries have a validity period of as less as 3 months.
In the case that your treaty visa is only valid for 3 months, you will have to enter the United States within that period. When you have entered the United States, you are entitled to 2 years under E-2 treaty investor status to direct and develop your business.
Additionally, you can renew your status with the USCIS indefinitely. Furthermore, if you leave the United States after the E-2 visa expiry date, you will need to renew the E-2 visa at a United States consulate.
The Immigration Officer Can Also Determine The Length Of Your E2 Visa
Even if the visa is valid for five years in your country, you may not be able to obtain it for 5 full years. This is because the consular officer can issue the visa for a shorter period. That is if they are uncertain of your ability to follow through on your business plan.
Specifically, in the instance that the consular officer doubts your plan to hire American workers, they can issue your visa for a shorter period. In that case, the visa length is often shortened to 2 years. Afterward, you will have to return to the consulate and provide proof that you have followed the business plan. In doing so, you can be issued a 5-year extension for your E-2 investor visa.
A Strong E2 Visa Business Plan Can Materially Impact the E-2 Visa Length
A solid E2 visa business plan will help you maximize the chances of getting more length allocated to your E-2 treaty visa. ImmigrationBusinessPlan.com will draft a long-term view of the business before the U.S. immigration officer.
A maximum initial stay of two years will be granted to qualified treaty investors and employees, extensions of stay may be granted in increments of up to two years. There is no limit to how many extensions may be issued for an E-2 nonimmigrant. However, all E2 nonimmigrants must have a plan to leave the United States when their nonimmigrant status expires or is terminated.
It is important to work on a long-term strategy for your visa renewal. ImmigrationBusinessPlan.com can assist you with drafting an E-2 visa business plan to strengthen your visa application and pave the way for your E-2 investor visa renewal.
List of E2 Treaty Countries with E2 Visa Length
E2 Treaty Country | E2 Visa Length |
Argentina | 5 Years |
Armenia | 5 Years |
Austria | 5 Years |
Belgium | 5 Years |
Bulgaria | 5 Years |
Canada | 5 Years |
Chile | 5 Years |
Colombia | 5 Years |
Costa Rica | 5 Years |
Croatia Czech | 5 Years |
Republic Denmark | 5 Years |
Estonia | 5 Years |
France | 2 Years |
Germany | 5 Years |
Grenada | 5 Years |
Honduras | 5 Years |
Ireland | 5 Years |
Italy | 5 Years |
Jamaica | 5 Years |
Japan | 5 Years |
Latvia | 5 Years |
Luxembourg | 5 Years |
Macedonia | 5 Years |
Morocco | 5 Years |
Netherlands | 5 Years |
New Zealand | 5 Years |
Norway | 5 Years |
Pakistan | 5 Years |
Panama | 5 Years |
Paraguay | 5 Years |
Philippines | 5 Years |
Romania | 5 Years |
Slovenia | 5 Years |
South Korea | 5 Years |
Spain | 5 Years |
Suriname | 5 Years |
Taiwan | 5 Years |
Tunisia | 5 Years |
Turkey | 5 Years |
United Kingdom | 5 Years |
Australia | 4 Years |
Albania | 3 Years |
Mongolia | 3 Years |
Finland | 2 Years |
Singapore | 2 Years |
Slovak Republic | 2 Years |
Sweden | 2 Years |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 Year |
Cameroon | 1 Year |
Kazakhstan | 1 Year |
Kosovo | 1 Year |
Liberia | 1 Year |
Lithuania | 1 Year |
Mexico | 1 Year |
Montenegro | 1 Year |
Poland | 1 Year |
Serbia | 1 Year |
Senegal | 1 Year |
Thailand | 6 Months |
Oman | 6 Months |
Ethiopia | 6 Months |
Azerbaijan | 3 Months |
Bahrain | 3 Months |
Bangladesh | 3 Months |
Brazzaville | 3 Months |
Kinshasa | 3 Months |
Egypt | 3 Months |
Iran | 3 Months |
Jordan | 3 Months |
Kyrgyzstan | 3 Months |
Moldova | 3 Months |
Ukraine | 3 Months |
E2 Visa Advantages for Family Members & Employees
With an E-2 you can bring over your spouses and unmarried dependent children (under 21 years of age) and employees to help you advance your business.
A few things to remember when bringing your family/workers to the US under an E-2 visa:
- Your family/workers’ nationality doesn’t need to be from a treaty country.
- Your family members would be given E-2 nonimmigrant status, and your dependents will most likely be permitted the same duration of stay as you.
- If the family members are already in the United States and wish to be considered for E-2 dependent status, they may submit one Form I-539 and a $150 fee.
- Although E-2 workers’ spouses must be given work authorization before they can work, there are no limits to where they may.
E2 Visa Denial
One of the major concerns associated with any visa is the prospect that your visa may be denied or rejected. Let’s look at some of the reasons why this might happen, as well as how to avoid it and what to do if you’ve been denied a visa.
The first step in determining whether a visa is approved or denied is to distinguish between a rejection and a denial. The USCIS goes through two phases after receiving a petition. An evaluating officer will perform a brief check to verify that all required information has been supplied, as well as verification of fees. If your petition fails this check, it is likely to be rejected.
If your petition passes this first stage, the officer will evaluate it more critically. The officer will examine the supporting evidence to see whether or not your case warrants an E-2 visa. If not, your petition may be denied. You could also receive an RFE if any additional proof is required for you to meet the requirements of the E2.
An immigration business plan can help strengthen your visa application. ImmigrationBusinessPlan.com is the best choice to get an E-2 business plan that aims for visa approval.