Introduction to the E2 Visa
The E2 visa is a non-immigrant visa designed for foreign entrepreneurs and investors who want to start or manage a business in the United States. The E2 visa allows individuals from treaty countries to live and work in the US while contributing to its economy. This visa offers an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to tap into the world’s largest market and expand their business operations. In this article, we will delve into the countries that have an E2 visa treaty with the USA, providing a comprehensive list and discussing some notable examples.
Comprehensive List of E2 Visa Treaty Countries
The United States has signed E2 visa treaties with numerous countries around the world. Some of these countries include Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and many more. A complete list of E2 visa treaty countries can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.
H2: Notable E2 Visa Treaty Countries
Australia
Australia is a popular E2 visa treaty country due to its strong economic ties with the United States. The E2 visa allows Australian entrepreneurs to establish businesses in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, and finance. The United States and Australia have maintained a longstanding relationship, which has been further strengthened by the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) signed in 2004.
Canada
Canadian entrepreneurs and investors benefit greatly from the E2 visa program, as the close proximity and strong economic relationship between the United States and Canada facilitate cross-border business operations. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020, has played a significant role in fostering trade and investment between the two countries.
Japan
Japan is another important E2 visa treaty country, with many Japanese entrepreneurs and investors taking advantage of the program to expand their businesses in the United States. Japanese investors often focus on sectors such as automotive, electronics, and manufacturing, contributing significantly to the US economy.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a long-standing E2 visa treaty with the United States, allowing British entrepreneurs and investors to establish and manage businesses across various sectors. The strong cultural and economic ties between the two countries make the United States an attractive destination for British business owners seeking international expansion.
Germany
Germany is a key E2 visa treaty country, with a robust economic partnership with the United States. German entrepreneurs and investors can leverage the E2 visa program to enter various industries, such as renewable energy, automotive, biotechnology, and engineering. The United States and Germany share strong economic ties, with many American companies operating in Germany and vice versa. This close relationship fosters a supportive environment for German business owners seeking to expand their operations in the US market.
E2 Visa Countries: Full list
| Country | Duration | Date of agreement |
| Albania | 3 Years | January 4, 1998 |
| Argentina | 5 Years | December 20, 1854 |
| Armenia | 5 Years | March 29, 1996 |
| Australia | 4 Years | December 27, 1991 |
| Austria | 5 Years | May 27, 1931 |
| Azerbaijan | 3 Months | August 2, 2001 |
| Bahrain | 3 Months | May 30, 2001 |
| Bangladesh | 3 Months | July 25, 1989 |
| Belgium | 5 Years | October 3, 1963 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 Year | November 15, 1982 |
| Bulgaria | 5 Years | June 2, 1954 |
| Cameroon | 1 Year | April 6, 1989 |
| Canada | 5 Years | January 1, 1994 |
| Chile | 5 Years | January 1, 2004 |
| China (Taiwan) | 5 Years | November 30, 1948 |
| Colombia | 5 Years | June 10, 1948 |
| Congo (Brazzaville) | 3 Months | August 13, 1994 |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 3 Months | July 28, 1989 |
| Costa Rica | 5 Years | May 26, 1852 |
| Croatia | 5 Years | November 15, 1982 |
| Czech Republic | 5 Years | January 1, 1993 |
| Denmark | 5 Years | December 10, 2008 |
| Egypt | 3 Months | June 27, 1992 |
| Estonia | 5 Years | February 16, 1997 |
| Ethiopia | 6 Months | October 8, 1953 |
| Finland | 2 Years | December 1, 1992 |
| France | 2 Years | December 21, 1960 |
| Germany | 5 Years | July 14, 1956 |
| Grenada | 5 Years | March 3, 1989 |
| Honduras | 5 Years | July 19, 1928 |
| Ireland | 5 Years | November 18, 1992 |
| Israel | 2 Years | May 1, 2019 |
| Italy | 5 Years | July 26, 1949 |
| Jamaica | 5 Years | March 7, 1997 |
| Japan | 5 Years | October 30, 1953 |
| Jordan | 3 Months | December 17, 2001 |
| Kazakhstan | 1 Year | January 12, 1994 |
| Kosovo | 1 Year | November 15, 1882 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 3 Months | January 12, 1994 |
| Latvia | 5 Years | December 26, 1996 |
| Liberia | 1 Year | November 21, 1939 |
| Lithuania | 1 Year | November 22, 2001 |
| Luxembourg | 5 Years | March 28, 1963 |
| Macedonia | 5 Years | November 15, 1982 |
| Mexico | 1 Year | January 1, 1994 |
| Moldova | 3 Months | November 25, 1994 |
| Mongolia | 3 Years | January 1, 1997 |
| Montenegro | 1 Year | November 15, 1882 |
| Morocco | 5 Years | May 29, 1991 |
| Netherlands | 5 Years | December 5, 1957 |
| New Zealand | 5 Years | June 10, 2019 |
| Norway | 5 Years | January 18, 1928 |
| Oman | 6 Months | June 11, 1960 |
| Pakistan | 5 Years | February 12, 1961 |
| Panama | 5 Years | May 30, 1991 |
| Paraguay | 5 Years | March 07, 1860 |
| Philippines | 5 Years | September 6, 1955 |
| Poland | 1 Year | August 6, 1994 |
| Romania | 5 Years | January 15, 1994 |
| Senegal | 1 Year | October 25, 1990 |
| Serbia | 1 Year | November 15, 1882 |
| Singapore | 2 Years | January 1, 2004 |
| Slovak Republic | 2 Years | January 1, 1993 |
| Slovenia | 5 Years | November 15, 1982 |
| South Korea | 5 Years | November 7, 1957 |
| Spain | 5 Years | April 14, 1903 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 Years | May 1, 1993 |
| Suriname | 5 Years | February 10, 1963 |
| Sweden | 2 Years | February 20, 1992 |
| Switzerland | 4 Years | November 08, 1855 |
| Thailand | 6 Months | June 8, 1968 |
| Togo | 3 Years | February 5, 1967 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 5 Years | December 26, 1996 |
| Tunisia | 5 Years | February 7, 1993 |
| Turkey | 5 Years | May 18, 1990 |
| Ukraine | 3 Months | November 16, 1996 |
| United Kingdom | 5 Years | July 03, 1815 |
Benefits of the E2 Visa
The E2 visa offers numerous benefits for entrepreneurs and investors from treaty countries, such as:
- Flexible investment requirements: There is no minimum investment amount for the E2 visa, but the investment must be substantial and sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
- Spousal employment authorization: E2 visa holders’ spouses can apply for work authorization in the United States, allowing them to work in any field.
- Extended visa validity: The E2 visa can be granted for up to five years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate and meet the visa requirements.
- No direct path to permanent residency: While the E2 visa does not provide a direct path to a green card, it allows investors to maintain their legal status in the United States while exploring other options for permanent residency.
Conclusion
The E2 visa is an attractive option for entrepreneurs and investors from treaty countries who wish to establish or manage businesses in the United States. With a wide range of countries having E2 visa treaties with the USA, individuals from diverse backgrounds can take advantage of this opportunity to expand their businesses and contribute
