Treaty Investors & Traders Center

E-visa news, case studies, and more to help you with your investor/trader-related needs.

E Visa Updates from the U.S. Consulate in Toronto

The U.S. Consulate in Toronto recently held a Zoom video conference to address recent changes and updates to the processing of E visas. The E visa category includes treaty traders and investors who come to the U.S. under a treaty of commerce and navigation between the U.S. and the country of which they are a […]

E-2 Visa Applications for Essential Employees under the BAHA Executive Order & Prohibition Against Job Shops

As the E-2 Treaty Investor visa becomes an increasingly popular category for foreign business expansion efforts into the U.S., it should be remembered that the “spirit” of the E-2 is to create jobs for U.S. workers and to stimulate the U.S. economy with commercial interaction with the treaty country. The E-2 visa allows a foreign […]

E-1 Visas for Canadian Consultants & Professional Service Companies

Canadian citizens can often gain entry to the US with greater ease than others; this preferential treatment for our friends across the border is linked to treaty provisions within the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). One of the first visa categories considered when analyzing U.S. employment authorization options for Canadian nationals is the TN […]

Continued Delays in Employment Authorization Document Processing Times

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) processing times for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications continue to increase. EADs are relied upon by many categories of foreign nationals in order to lawfully work in the United States. The processing times vary by USCIS Service Center, in addition to the category in which the applicant is […]

Increase in US Visa Fees for Australians

The US Department of State has dramatically increased visa issuance fees for Australian nationals in certain visa categories as of December 23, 2019. The US government charges visa issuance fees for nonimmigrant visas that are approved. The fee increases are intended to reciprocate the fees the Australian government charges US citizens who are issued visas. […]

New EB-5 Rule Nearly Doubles Minimum Investment

USCIS has recently published a final regulation changing the EB-5 Program that awards permanent resident status to certain investors who create at least ten new jobs for U.S. workers. This new EB-5 rule will be effective for I-526 filings arriving at USCIS on or after November 21, 2019. The new EB-5 investments must be at least $900,000…

E-2 Visa Eligible Treaty Countries

The E-2 treaty investor visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows investors from treaty countries to work in the U.S. through their investment in a U.S. enterprise. To qualify for an E-2 visa, the enterprise must be bona fide and the investment must be a significant percentage of the value of the enterprise…

What You Might Not Know About the E Visa

Those looking to invest in the U.S. or those who work for a business that is at lease 50% owned by citizens of the same treaty company may be eligible for an E Visa. Our office regularly helps owners and employees navigate their E visa options and have collected these important facts…

New Zealand Nationals Now Eligible for E-1 & E-2 Treaty Trader & Investor Visas

Beginning June 10, 2019, eligible New Zealand companies and nationals are now able to apply for E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor temporary visa status. The U.S. Embassy in New Zealand announced the availability last week, following the enactment of the Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors (KIWI) Act, which was signed by President Trump […]

The E-2 Visa and Real Property Investments

The E-2 investor visa was created to allow entrepreneurs from countries which maintain a trade and commerce treaty with the United States to establish new businesses in the U.S. through investment. Though E-2 visas are less often granted for investments in real property, there is a possibility that this type of investment may qualify for […]