The E-2 visa is a great investor visa, but not every foreign entrepreneur can or should apply for it. Two preliminary questions: Are you from an E-2 treaty country, and how long is your initial E-2 visa likely to be valid?
What Is an E-2 Visa?
An E2 visa is an investor visa granted to entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in the United States.
It’s a great visa, but not every foreign entrepreneur can or should apply for it.
Here are 2 preliminary questions to ask in order to find out whether you’re one of the lucky ones:
Question 1: Are You from an E-2 Treaty Country?
You’re not eligible for an E2 investor visa as the principal applicant unless you’re a national or citizen of an E2 treaty country.
To find out if you are, Google “E2 Treaty Countries” and check out the official list on the U.S. State Department website.
Question 2: How Long Will Your Initial E-2 Visa Be Valid?
To find out the likely initial validity period of your E2 visa if it’s granted, Google “Visa Reciprocity Schedule” to check out the official U.S. State Department website.
For example, if you’re from Canada, click on the letter “C” in the left-hand column.
Then click on Canada.
Then, under Visa Classifications, click on the letter “E.”
Then you can see that the initial length of your E2 visa is likely to be 60 months (or 5 years) if you’re a Canadian national.
Why the Initial Validity Period Matters
However, while it’s common for E2 visas to be issued initially for 5 years, many countries have shorter periods based on whether they offer “reciprocal” benefits to Americans seeking a visa abroad.
So it’s important to determine the initial validity period of your E2 visa if it’s granted, even though you can renew it indefinitely as long as your E2 enterprise continues to operate and grow.
Finally, please note: Even if the initial validity period of your E2 visa is much shorter – let’s say 1 year, for example – you will be granted 2 years of legal “status” in the US each time you enter the country with your E2 visa.
About Me
I’m Joseph Bovino, US immigration and business attorney serving clients worldwide.
Want to talk through your situation? Book a consultation with me.
