E-1 and E-2 Visa Countries: A Complete Guide for Entrepreneurs

Also known as the trader and investor visas, the E-1 and E-2 visas will be of interest to any entrepreneur thinking of beginning a business or investing in the US. These visas are meant for people who engage in international selling (E-1) or buying (E-2) activity in the United States. However, there’s no harm in verifying whether or not your country falls under these visas before proceeding with the application process. In this guide, you will find a list of countries, that are eligible for E-1 and E-2 visas, as well as, learn more about the distinction between the two types of visas.

Understanding E-1 and E-2 Visas

An E visa is strictly a temporary, or nonimmigrant, work visa meant for people involved with trading or investing between the United States and their country. The two primary types are:

E-1 Visa (Treaty Trader): This visa is retrieved for those people who are engaged in major trading between their home country and the US.

E-2 Visa (Treaty Investor): This visa is specifically for investors as they put a hefty amount of capital into a business in the United States.

Qualifying E-1 and E-2 Countries

The current list of E-1 and E-2 visa-eligible countries is provided by the U.S. Department of State. Some countries fall under both visas or only one of them. To be sure of the list’s relevance to the provided country, it is better to visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website to get the updated list.

List of Eligible Countries for E-1 and E-2 Visas

Here is a detailed list of countries that qualify for either the E-1 (Treaty Trader) or E-2 (Treaty Investor) visa:

CountryVisa Classification
AlbaniaE-2
ArgentinaE-1, E-2
ArmeniaE-2
AustraliaE-1, E-2
AustriaE-1, E-2
AzerbaijanE-2
BahrainE-2
BangladeshE-2
BelgiumE-1, E-2
BoliviaE-2
Bosnia and HerzegovinaE-1, E-2
BruneiE-1
BulgariaE-2
CameroonE-2
CanadaE-1, E-2
ChileE-1, E-2
China (Taiwan)E-1, E-2
ColombiaE-1, E-2
Congo (Brazzaville)E-2
Congo (Kinshasa)E-2
Costa RicaE-1, E-2
CroatiaE-1, E-2
Czech RepublicE-2
DenmarkE-1, E-2
EcuadorE-2
EgyptE-2
EstoniaE-1, E-2
EthiopiaE-1, E-2
FinlandE-1, E-2
FranceE-1, E-2
GeorgiaE-2
GermanyE-1, E-2
GreeceE-1
GrenadaE-2
HondurasE-1, E-2
IrelandE-1, E-2
IsraelE-1, E-2
ItalyE-1, E-2
JamaicaE-2
JapanE-1, E-2
JordanE-1, E-2
KazakhstanE-2
South KoreaE-1, E– 2
KosovoE– 1
KyrgyzstanE– 2
LatviaE– 1
LiberiaE– 1
LithuaniaE– 2
LuxembourgE– 1

(For brevity, only a selection of countries is displayed here; please refer to official sources for the complete list.)

Before applying for an E visa, it’s vital to confirm your country’s eligibility. Some nations qualify for both E visa types while others may only qualify for one. The U.S. Department of State provides the latest information on eligible treaty countries; checking this list can help streamline your application process.

Understanding your eligibility can significantly enhance your chances of a successful application. If you have any uncertainties or require assistance navigating the process, consulting with an immigration lawyer or expert is advisable.

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