E1 Treaty Trader and E2 Treaty Investor Visa
The Law Offices of Barbara Ann Williams has over 20 years of solid experience assisting people in obtaining both E-1 and E-2 visas.
E-1 Trader Visa
To qualify for the E-1 visa, you must be coming to the United States to:
- engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, in qualifying activities, principally between the United States and the treaty country;
- And you must be a national of a treaty country
E-2 Investor Visa
To qualify for the E-2 visa, you must be coming to the United States to:
- Develop and direct a business enterprise in which you have invested a substantial amount of capital
- Invest in most cases at least $75,000 depending on the type of business for investment
- Be actively involved in the invested business
- The business cannot be marginal (i.e. only generate enough income to support the applicant and his or her family)
- Certain employees of such a person or of a qualifying organization may also be eligible for this classification.
If investing in an existing business, here are three key points to consider:
- Does the business already have full-time employees? Or is the business in a position to expand or hire employees? If so, this will strengthen your application as documents as to its viability and employment history already exist.
- Is the business you plan to purchase profitable? A business that has a track record of struggling will not make a good E-2 enterprise.
- Does the business require financing? If so,
only debt secured by personal assets (such as a mortgage on your home) may be included. This is because funds invested must be at risk to you, the investor, in the event the business fails. Commercial loans or loans using the business as collateral or secured by the business assets do not qualify.
Spouses and minor children may accompany the E-1 or E-2 treaty visa holders to the US.