Do you plan to start up your business in the United States of America but are reluctant to think of the process involvement? If yes, the time is now through an E2 visa. Well, if you think you can do it with a standard visa, there are many complications. E2 is designed to help entrepreneurs and investors of E2 treaty countries come, live, and work in the US.
You must be excited reading this, don’t you? So, allow yourself to dig into the tutorial and find the list of E2 visa treaty countries, how it differs from the E-1 visa, qualification requirements, the journey to the green card, and more information.
What is the E2 Visa?
E2 visas are non-immigrant visas offered to citizens of treaty countries who wish to start businesses in the United States. People can live or work in the US until their visa is valid. They can also apply for visa renewal if their business runs in the US. This also leads them to the EB-5 investor program’s permanent residence status.
The United States does not allow every country’s nationals to move to the US. It grants permission to certain countries through an E2 treaty agreement so that investors can boost their businesses. The treaty includes an alliance between the United States and nations to maintain navigation or commerce.
E2 Treaty Country List
As you know, the United States does not have an E2 alliance with all the countries. A question must arise: Which Countries Have E2 Treaty with the U.S.? Generally, the list includes over 80 nations from Europe and Asia to the Americas. Here is a list of E2 visa-eligible countries include:
Albania – January 4, 1998
Argentina – December 20, 1854
Armenia – March 29, 1996
Australia – December 27, 1991
Austria – May 27, 1931
Azerbaijan – August 2, 2001
Bahrain – May 30, 2001
Bangladesh – July 25, 1989
Belgium – October 3, 1963
Bolivia – June 6, 2001
Bosnia and Herzegovina – November 15, 1982
Bulgaria – June 2, 1954
Cameroon – April 6, 1989
Canada – January 1, 1994
Chile – January 1, 2004
China (Taiwan) – November 30, 1948
Colombia – June 10, 1948
Congo (Brazzaville) – August 13, 1994
Congo (Kinshasa) – July 28, 1989
Costa Rica – May 26, 1852
Croatia – November 15, 1982
Czech Republic – January 1, 1993
Denmark – December 10, 2008
Ecuador – May 11, 1997
Egypt – June 27, 1992
Estonia – February 16, 1997
Ethiopia – October 8, 1953
Finland – December 1, 1992
France – December 21, 1960
Georgia – August 17, 1997
Germany – July 14, 1956
Grenada – March 3, 1989
Honduras – July 19, 1928
Ireland – November 18, 1992
Israel – May 1, 2019
Italy – July 26, 1949
Jamaica – March 7, 1997
Japan – October 30, 1953
Jordan – December 17, 2001
Kazakhstan – January 12, 1994
Korea (South) – November 7, 1957
Kosovo – November 15, 1882
Kyrgyzstan – January 12, 1994
Latvia – December 26, 1996
Liberia – November 21, 1939
Lithuania – November 22, 2001
Luxembourg – March 28, 1963
Macedonia – November 15, 1982
Mexico – January 1, 1994
Moldova – November 25, 1994
Mongolia – January 1, 1997
Montenegro – November 15, 1882
Morocco – May 29, 1991
Netherlands – December 5, 1957
New Zealand – June 10, 2019
Norway – January 18, 1928
Oman – June 11, 1960
Pakistan – February 12, 1961
Panama – May 30, 1991
Paraguay – March 7, 1860
Philippines – September 6, 1955
Poland – August 6, 1994
Portugal – March 15, 2024
Romania – January 15, 1994
Senegal – October 25, 1990
Serbia – November 15, 1882
Singapore – January 1, 2004
Slovak Republic – January 1, 1993
Slovenia – November 15, 1982
Spain – April 14, 1903
Sri Lanka – May 1, 1993
Suriname – February 10, 1963
Sweden – February 20, 1992
Switzerland – November 8, 1855
Thailand – June 8, 1968
Togo – February 5, 1967
Trinidad & Tobago – December 26, 1996
Tunisia – February 7, 1993
Turkey – May 18, 1990
Ukraine – November 16, 1996
United Kingdom – July 3, 1815
These Visa e2 countries mentioned above have the privilege of allowing citizens to apply for the E2 visa and move to the United States.
Point to be noted: Certain countries, such as China, Vietnam, Kenya, and Dubai, and E2 treaty countries, such as India, do not maintain commerce and navigation treaties with the US. Hence, these nations cannot apply for E2 visas.
E2 Visa Countries
The above section mentions the entire list of e2 visa treaty countries. In contrast, this section highlights some of the notable e2 treaty countries. Remember, the list keeps changing as alliances are revised or signed occasionally in response to the evolving changes and the United States Immigration Citizenship Service (USCIS).
What you must do is check the official US government official website to get the latest updates. Some notable countries that maintain treaties of navigation and commerce are:
Japan
Germany
Australia
Canada
Turkey
Pakistan
United Kingdom
Argentina
Italy
France
South Korea
Mexico
Thailand
Israel
Colombia
Nationals from these countries can apply for the E2 visa, making investing in U.S. businesses easier and gaining entry.
Difference Between E-1 Visa and E2 Visa
E1 and E2 visas are often confused as synonymous. However, both are of significance in terms of their explanation. If you critically analyse E1 and E2 visas, you point out that their purposes and application process differ.
An E2 visa allows individuals of the treaty nation to invest and start a business in the United States. On the other hand, an E1 visa will enable individuals from the E1 treaty countries to enter the United States for trade-related activities.
E-1 Visa Countries
The E1 visa follows the same path as the E2 and allows nationals of nations that have signed a trade treaty with the United States. Generally, E1 treaty countries are identical; you must take a glance to understand better.
Argentina – December 20, 1854
Australia – December 16, 1991
Austria – May 27, 1931
Belgium – October 3, 1963
Bolivia – November 9, 1862
Bosnia and Herzegovina – November 15, 1982
Brunei – July 11, 1853
Canada – January 1, 1994
Chile – January 1, 2004
China (Taiwan) – November 30, 1948
Colombia – June 10, 1948
Costa Rica – May 26, 1852
Croatia – November 15, 1982
Denmark – July 30, 1961
Estonia – May 22, 1926
Ethiopia – October 8, 1953
Finland – August 10, 1934
France – December 21, 1960
Germany – July 14, 1956
Greece – October 13, 1954
Honduras – July 19, 1928
Ireland – September 14, 1950
Italy – July 26, 1949
Japan – October 30, 1953
Jordan – December 17, 2001
South Korea – November 7, 1957
Kosovo – November 15, 1882
Latvia – July 25, 1928
Liberia – November 21, 1939
Luxembourg – March 28, 1963
Macedonia – November 15, 1982
Mexico – January 1, 1994
Montenegro – November 15, 1882
Netherlands – December 5, 1957
New Zealand – June 10, 2019
Norway – January 18, 1928
Oman – June 11, 1960
Pakistan – February 12, 1961
Paraguay – March 7, 1860
Philippines – September 6, 1955
Poland – August 6, 1994
Serbia – November 15, 1882
Singapore – January 1, 2004
Slovenia – November 15, 1982
Spain – April 14, 1903
Suriname – February 10, 1963
Sweden – February 20, 1992
Switzerland – November 8, 1855
Thailand – June 8, 1968
Togo – February 5, 1967
Turkey – February 15, 1933
United Kingdom – July 3, 1815
Yugoslavia – November 15, 1882
E-1 Visa to Green Card
One thing is common about an E1 or E2 visa: Both visas do not allow individuals to obtain a green card and live in the US as permanent residents. However, one must go through several immigration routes, such as employment-based sponsorship or EB-5 investor visa qualification.
Visa E-1 Requirements
To qualify for an E1 visa, you must follow these actions as compulsory requirements.
Maintain your status as an active international trader between your home country and the US.
Your trade must include services, goods, banking, transportation, technology, insurance, tourism, news-gathering, and other industries.
Conduct 50% of your international trade in the US.
You must be a citizen of an E1 treaty country with the United States.
You must only enter international trade in the US if you have the skills and ability to act in an executive or supervisory role.
Conclusion
The unique E2 visa in the United States is a golden chance for investors, business people, and entrepreneurs to start their careers. However, you must check whether you are a citizen of the country part of the E2 or E1 treaty’s relationship with the US.
If you encounter confusion, read this guide, note your points, and understand the requirements for both e1 and e2 visas. Do not delay any further exploring new opportunities in a new country.
