What is an E-1 visa or Treaty Trader Visa?

An E-1 visa or Treaty Trader Visa is used for companies or individuals who are involved in or want to develop substantial trade between the U.S. and a country with which the U.S. maintains an appropriate treaty. An E-1 visa can also be granted to the primary visa holder’s spouse and minor children.

How long is the E-1 visa valid?

An E-1 visa is valid for a period of up to two years. An E-1 visa can technically be extended indefinitely in increments of two years.

What is an E-2 visa or Treaty Investor Visa?

An E-2 visa (Treaty Investor Visa) is used for applicants who want to enter the U.S. solely to develop and direct an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. An E-2 visa can also granted to the primary visa holder’s spouse and minor children.

What are the requirements for the E-2 investor visa?

To obtain an E-2 investor visa, the E-2 investor applicant must

• Be a national of a treaty country (there is no nationality requirement for the spouse or child of the primary visa holder)
• Provide a substantial investment that is sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
• Prove the investment must be for a real operating enterprise. Speculative or idle investment does not qualify.
• Prove the investment will generate significantly more income than just providing a living to the investor and family, or that the investment will have a significant economic impact in the United States.
• Prove he or she has control of the funds, and the investment is at risk in the commercial sense.
• Prove intent to come to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise.
• Prove that if they are not the the principal investor, he or she is employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity. Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.

In there a minimum investment for E-2 investor visas?

There is no absolute minimum investment amount for E-2 visas, but a qualified immigration lawyer will be able to suggest to you the recommended minimum amount based on the details of your case. Investments below $25,000 will generally not be considered.

How long is the E-2 visa valid?

An E-2 visa is valid for a period of up to two years. An E-2 visa can technically be extended indefinitely in increments of two years.

What is the U.S. investor green card?

If you are coming to the U.S. as an entrepreneur, you may be eligible for conditional permanent status based on your financial qualifications, which is obtained through the EB-5 visa. USCIS approves a fixed number of EB-5 investor green card applications each year for those who qualify. Generally, an applicant must invest $1,000,000 in a commercial enterprise, or $500,000 in a target employment area (an area with high unemployment rates or rural areas targeted for development). The investment must secure or create at least ten full-time, permanent jobs for those who are eligible to work in the US.

What is an E-3 visa?

An E-3 visa is only available to workers in specialty occupations or professional occupations who are nationals of Australia. An E-3 visa can also be granted to the primary visa holder’s spouse and minor children. There are a maximum of 10,500 E-3 visas issued annually. Spouses and children of primary applicants do not count against the numerical limitations.

How long is the E-3 visa valid?

An E-3 visa is valid in the U.S. for a period of up to two years. An E-3 visa can technically be extended indefinitely in increments of two years.