Immigration Law Firm Toronto
May 15, 2008 

E1 and E2 Visas

Trader and Investor Visas for Canadians

Working in the USA through Investment and Trade.
E1 and E2 Visas: US Work Visas

Treaty Traders and Investors

E visas and US work visas are for people who are entering the U.S. for work in trade or in investment in services or activities. These visas can only be issued to countries where there is a treaty with the foreign national’s country and the USA. See below for countries which have multilateral treaties with the United States. Niren and Associates Immigration Lawyers in Toronto and Hamilton can help you with your application for your US Work Visa such as an E2 Visa or E1 Visa.

There are two types of E visas:
E1 (trader)
E2 (investor)
 

E2 VISA : "Investing and Working in the USA"

E2 visas US work visas and are for owners and investors in businesses in the United States. The E2 is a non-immigrant us work visa that may be granted for “substantial” investments in the U.S. An investment must meet several criteria in order to qualify for an E2 visa. These are the basic conditions for qualifying for an E2 Visa.

A. Showing that "substantial" investment or funds are available and committed to the investment;

B. The investment must be in an active business as opposed to passive investment such as purchasing a home;

C. At least 50% of the business must be owned by an alien from a country which has a treaty with the United States;

D. The investment must create enough profit to provide a living for more than just the alien and his/her family.

There is no minimum amount of investment necessary to obtain an E2 visa, and whether an amount will be considered "substantial" depends on the type of business involved, the number of jobs created the alien's personal assets, etc. In most cases, the investment should be at least $100,000USD but sometimes it may be less than this.

Employees of E2 companies may be granted E2 visas if they are or will be engaged in duties that are executive, managerial, or supervisory in nature. If employed in a minor capacity, the employee may be granted E2 visa if he or she has special qualifications that make the services to be rendered essential to the enterprise.

The spouse and children (unmarried and under 21) of E1 or E2 visa holders are entitled to the same E1 or E2 classification as the principal.

Interested in applying for an E2 Visa? Need More Information?

Call us at 416 410 7484 or email us at: info@visaplace.com

Niren and Associates Immigration Lawyers in Toronto and Hamilton.
 

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E1 "Treaty Trader" visas

E1 visas are for individuals involved in the exchange, purchase or sale of goods/services or merchandise. Services include technology transfer, architecture and engineering services, management consulting or accounting. The trade in goods and services should be substantial, as defined by the INS, in terms of value, volume or a large number of small transactions. The trade must also meet the following criteria:

A. The trade must be principally with the treaty country.

B More than 50% of the total volume of international trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country.

C. The amount of trade must be sufficient to ensure a continuous flow of international trade between the U.S. and the treaty country.

D Trade can be binding contracts that call for the future exchange of items.

E. Income derived from the value of numerous transactions that is sufficient to support the trades and his/her family is a favourable factor.

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Countries which have Signed Treaties for E1 and / or E2 visas

. Argentina
. Australia
. Austria
. Belgium
. Bosnia/Herzegovina
. Canada
. China (Taiwan)
. Colombia
. Costa Rica
. Croatia
. Estonia
. Ethiopia
. Finland
. France
. Georgia
. Germany
. Honduras
. Iran
. Ireland
. Italy
. Jamaica

. Japan
. Korea Liberia
. Luxembourg
. Macedonia
. Mexico
. Moldova
. Netherlands
. Norway
. Oman
. Pakistan
. Paraguay
. Philippines
. Serbia - Montenegro
. Slovenia
. Spain
. Suriname
. Sweden
. Switzerland
. Thailand
. Togo
. Turkey
. United Kingdom

Treaties conferring only E1 treaty-trader status exist with the following countries:

. Bolivia
. Brunei
. Denmark
. Greece
. Israel
. Latvia

Treaties conferring only E2 treaty-investor status exist with the following countries:

. Armenia
. Bangladesh
. Bulgaria
. Cameroon
. Congo
. Czech Republic
. Ecuador
. Egypt
. Grenada
. Kazakhstan
. Kyrgyzstan
. Moldova
. Mongolia
. Morocco
. Panama
. Poland
. Romania
. Senegal
. Slovak Republic
. Sri Lanka
. Trinidad & Tobago
. Tunisia
. Ukraine
. Zaire
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