E2 Visa Countries: Where Treaty Investors Can Travel

Updated on March 25, 2024

If you’re an entrepreneur or investor looking to start or expand your business in the United States, the E2 treaty investor visa might be the perfect opportunity for you. But did you know that not every country is eligible for this visa? In this blog post, we’ll explore the various countries that have E2 visa treaties with the United States and what this means for aspiring investors.

30 Second Recap:

The E2 visa, a nonimmigrant option for nationals from treaty countries, facilitates the investment of significant capital into U.S. enterprises, allowing investors to live and work in the U.S. for up to two years, extendable indefinitely. With over 80 treaty countries across continents including Australia, Canada, and the UK, the E2 visa offers a lower investment threshold and quicker processing times compared to other visas like the EB-5 program. This visa strengthens economic ties, promotes job creation, and encourages cultural exchange between the U.S. and treaty nations. Eligibility hinges on substantial, at-risk investment in a legitimate U.S. business, intent to develop and direct the enterprise, and proof of legal control over the investment funds. Success in obtaining an E2 visa benefits from expert guidance due to the uniqueness of each case and varying requirements based on the investor’s origin and business specifics.

 

What is an E2 Visa?

Before we dive into the specifics of E2 visa countries, let’s quickly recap what an E2 visa is. The E2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows nationals of countries with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S. to invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. enterprise and work in that business. E2 visa holders can live and work in the United States for an initial period of up to two years, with the possibility of extending their stay indefinitely.

E2 Visa Treaty Countries

The United States has E2 visa treaties with over 80 countries worldwide. These countries span various regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Here’s a quick overview:

A list of countries that E2 visa holders can travel to: AlbaniaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBelgiumBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBruneiBulgariaCameroonCanadaChileChina (Taiwan)ColombiaCongo (Brazzaville)Congo (Kinshasa)Costa RicaCroatiaCzech RepublicDenmarkEcuadorEgyptEstoniaEthiopiaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGrenadaHondurasIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKorea (South)KosovoKyrgyzstanLatviaLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacedoniaMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayOmanPakistanPanamaParaguayPhilippinesPolandRomaniaSenegalSerbiaSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSpainSri LankaSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandThailandTogoTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomYugoslavia

Here’s the full list of countries E2 visa holders can travel to:

  • Albania
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belgium
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brunei
  • 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
  • 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
  • Romania
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Togo
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • Yugoslavia

Benefits of Being an E2 Visa Country

Nationals of E2 visa countries have a unique advantage when it comes to investing in the United States. They can apply for an E2 visa with a lower investment threshold compared to other visa categories like the EB-5 immigrant investor program. Additionally, E2 visa processing times are generally faster than many other visa types, allowing investors to start their U.S. operations more quickly.

Being an E2 visa country also opens up opportunities for bilateral trade and investment between the United States and the treaty nation. This can lead to increased economic cooperation, job creation, and cultural exchange.

How to Qualify for an E2 Visa

To qualify for an E2 visa, you must meet several key requirements:

  1. You must be a national of an E2 visa treaty country.
  2. You must invest a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide U.S. enterprise.
  3. Your investment must be irrevocably committed and at risk.
  4. You must have control over the investment funds and their source must be lawful.
  5. You must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise.
  6. The enterprise must generate more than just a marginal income and have a significant economic impact.

It’s important to note that each E2 visa case is unique, and the specific requirements may vary based on your country of origin and the nature of your investment. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help you navigate the E2 visa process and maximize your chances of success.

Final Thoughts

The E2 visa treaty countries offer a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish or expand their businesses in the United States. By understanding the benefits and requirements of the E2 visa, nationals of these countries can unlock new avenues for growth and success.

If you’re considering an E2 visa investment, the first step is to determine if your country has an E2 visa treaty with the United States. From there, you can explore the specific requirements and start planning your American business venture.

Remember, the E2 visa is just one of many pathways to investing and working in the United States. By researching your options and seeking expert guidance, you can find the best route to achieve your goals and turn your entrepreneurial dreams into a reality.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )
Join over 100,000 visitors who are receiving our newsletter and learn more about finance, immigration, and more!
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

Get the Checklist