Introduction
The United States is a popular destination for migrants from around the world. One of the most sought-after types of visas is the E2 visa. This visa allows foreign nationals to invest in and manage a business in the US.
However, not all countries are eligible for the E2 visa. To qualify, a country must have an E2 visa treaty with the US. In this article, we will explore the countries that have this treaty, the requirements for obtaining an E2 visa, and the benefits of having one.
What is an E2 Visa?
The E2 visa, also known as the Treaty Investor Visa, is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and work in the US for the purpose of investing in and managing a business. This visa is only available to citizens of countries that have an E2 visa treaty with the US.
The E2 visa is unique in that it does not have a minimum investment requirement. Instead, the investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of the business. The investor must also have control of the funds and the investment must be at risk, meaning that the investor could potentially lose the funds if the business fails.
Countries with E2 Visa Treaty
Currently, there are 80 countries that have an E2 visa treaty with the US. These countries are:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- China (Taiwan)
- Colombia
- Congo (Brazzaville)
- Congo (Kinshasa)
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea (South)
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
Benefits of an E2 Visa
There are several benefits to obtaining an E2 visa:
- The visa holder can enter and exit the US freely for the duration of the visa.
- The visa can be renewed indefinitely as long as the investor continues to meet the requirements.
- The investor’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 can also obtain E2 visas.
- The visa holder can work for the business they have invested in and can also hire other employees.
- The visa holder’s family members can also work in the US.
- The visa holder can apply for permanent residency (green card) if they meet certain requirements.
Requirements for Obtaining an E2 Visa
To obtain an E2 visa, the applicant must:
- Be a citizen of a country that has an E2 visa treaty with the US.
- Invest a substantial amount of money in a US business.
- Control the funds and have them at risk in the business.
- Have a clear intention to leave the US when the visa expires.
The applicant must also provide evidence of the investment, such as financial statements and business plans. They must also demonstrate that the business will create jobs and benefit the US economy.
Conclusion
The E2 visa is a valuable opportunity for foreign nationals to invest in and manage a business in the US. However, not all countries are eligible for this visa. It is important for prospective investors to research whether their country has an E2 visa treaty with the US and to meet the requirements for obtaining the visa.
With the benefits of an E2 visa, such as the ability to live and work in the US, it is no wonder that many individuals are seeking this opportunity.
