E2 Visa Countries: Nations Whose Citizens Can Get an E-2Visa

E2 Visa countries are specific countries that have signed a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States.

The E Visas are non-immigrant visas that allow foreign nationals to invest in the US and open a business, office, or practice. To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a treaty country, like Japan, Germany, or the United Kingdom. In this article, we will explore the list of countries that are eligible for the E-2 Visa.

E-2 Visa Countries – Key Takeaways

E-2 visa countries are those that have signed a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States.

Examples of E-2 Visa countries include Canada, Belgium, Cameroon, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

E-Visas are a category of non-immigrant visas available to citizens of treaty countries seeking to enter the United States to direct and develop business operations.

Having an E2 Visa allows you to live and work in the U.S., bring your immediate family, and enjoy global mobility without restrictions.

E-2 Visa holders are initially granted a stay of up to two years and can apply for extensions an unlimited number of times.

What are E-Visas?

E-Visas are a category of non-immigrant visas available to foreign nationals who wish to enter the United States to direct and develop business operations. Successful visa applicants can move to the US and set up a practice, business, or office. It must be a bona fide enterprise, not a marginal enterprise.

These E-Visas are often called “treaty visas” because they are based on reciprocal treaty investor treatment — a mutual agreement between the United States and certain countries. There are two primary E-Visa options:

What is the E-1 Visa (Treaty Trader Visa)?

The E-1 Visa (or Treaty Trader Visa) is designed for individuals from countries that have treaties of commerce and navigation with the United States and who are engaged in substantial international trade.

To qualify for the Treaty Trader Visa, visa applicants must work for a business that conducts a significant volume of trade between the United States and their home country. The trade must involve goods, services, or technology.

What is the E-2 Visa (Treaty Investors Visa)?

The E-2 Visa USA is a non-immigrant visa for individuals from countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. It allows foreign nationals to live and work in the US by investing a substantial amount of capital, not marginal, in a new or existing US business, which they must actively develop and direct.

E2 Visa List of Countries

Wondering which countries participate in the E-2 Visa program? To be eligible for an E-2 Visa, first and foremost, you must be a citizen of a country that maintains a valid Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States.

At present, this is the complete list of E-2 Visa countries:

Note: Since 2023, individuals who obtain citizenship by investment in a qualifying country (or treaty country) must prove three-year residency there to be eligible for an E-2 Visa in the United States.

Non-Treaty Countries List

If a country does not appear in the above list, it does not have a qualifying international agreement with the United States.

Major countries in this category include China (People’s Republic of China), India, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, and Vietnam.

However, there are alternative pathways that citizens of non-treaty countries can use to qualify for an E-2 Visa, such as obtaining citizenship of a treaty country or through marriage. Immigration lawyers can suggest the best course of action based on your nationality and qualifications.

What are the statistics on E-2 Visa approval?

In 2023, the success rate for E-2 Visa applications was 90.71 percent, with 54,812 visa approvals compared to 5,615 refusals. There was a steady growth rate for approvals between 2020 and 2023 for applicants from E2 Visa treaty countries.

The success rate of applications varies depending on the principal applicant’s eligibility and the strength of the business plan. The E-2 Visa requirements have strict eligibility criteria determined by the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), allowing only the most eligible candidates to gain an E-status.

Note: The E2 Visa treaty countries list is subject to change. The US can negotiate and sign treaties with more countries that would be added to the E-2 list. For example, Israel was added recently on 1 May 2019.