E Visa – Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor

The E visa is perhaps the most underused nonimmigrant visa available for those who wish to spend time doing business in the U.S. It can be just as effective as other visas in terms of allowing for the applicant to have a long and fruitful stay in the U.S. The E category is designed for use by business owners, business managers, and employees who need to stay in the United States for prolonged periods of time to oversee or work for an enterprise that is engaged in trade between the U.S. and a foreign country (E-1) or that represents a substantial investment in the United States (E-2). A foreign national can apply for an E visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad or in the United States . Because this visa allows for the entire process to be handled outside the U.S. , it may be more logistically convenient for some applicants. In fact, Consular application is often times preferable because consular officers make their independent decisions anyway and processing the visa directly eliminates this possible hurdle.

Additionally, the E visa has numerous other advantages over other non-immigrant visas. First, it is not an annual victim to a yearly cap like H1B, which fills its quota well before the year is complete. Because very few applications are made compared to the cap on approvals of E visas, this removes one important barrier from the onset. Second, the E visa does not come with time limitations, as do the L and H visas, as far as length of stay in the U.S. under that visa. An individual who obtains E-status is granted an initial period of two years to remain in the United States but this period can be extended almost indefinitely so long as the E status holder declares that he or she will depart the United States when the period of authorized stay, including any unlimited extensions, terminates. Thirdly, the E-2 visa does not have a set dollar investment minimum , i.e. the amount necessary to create a viable enterprise is determined depending on the type of business, making the E-2 visa one of the more flexible visas to apply for.

ationals of Argentina are eligible to apply for both types of E visas and Steve Maggi is in Buenos Aires to help applicants from the preliminary document preparation all the way to the final consular interview. While E visa requirements are complex, a legitimate applicant has an extremely high chance of success. If you want to know more about the E non-immigrant visa and requirements, preparation, etc. please do not hesitate to contact us at info @usavisaspecialists.com .