What Are the Differences Between U.S. E1 and E2 Visas?
In 2021, an estimated 22.1 million international visitors came to the United States. Foreigners looking to enter the United States typically need a visa to come into the country legally. There are dozens of visa categories, and figuring out which one aligns with a traveler’s situation isn’t always intuitive. As a result, understanding the differences between U.S. E1 and U.S. E2 visas is essential, as selecting the wrong category can lead to a visa denial.
Fortunately, the E1 and E2 visas stand apart in several ways. Here’s what you need to know about the U.S. E1 and E2 visa programs.
What Are U.S. E1 and E2 Visas?
Both U.S. E1 and E2 visas are non-immigrant visas. They’re available to foreign nationals from countries where the United States maintains a treaty of commerce, friendship, and navigation. However, the E1 and E2 visas represent two different categories of visitors.
The E1 visa program is for “Treaty Traders” and allows a person to come to the United States for trade-related activities on their own behalf. The E2 visa is for “Treaty Investors,” and it focuses on persons who have a substantial amount of capital invested in a business in the United States.
Who Can Get U.S. E1 and E2 Visas?
E1 visas are typically available to employees of companies that are formally involved in the trade aspect of a foreign business’s operation, such as acting as an executive or having clearly demonstrated specialized skills relating to the activity. For an E2 visa, a person must be an investor — or actively working to invest — in a U.S. company, and the amount of capital involved must be deemed substantial.
How Do U.S. E1 and E2 Visas Differ?
The main difference between the U.S. E1 and U.S. E2 visas involves the reason for a person’s visit to the United States. An E1 visa is for trade-related activities only, while an E2 visa focuses on activities related to a foreign person’s investment in a U.S. business.
Otherwise, the visas function similarly. For example, most are valid for up to two years and are eligible for renewals. Additionally, they do not provide any long-term residency rights.
What Does the Application Process Look Like?
The application process for the U.S. E1 and U.S. E2 visas is relatively straightforward. It begins by completing a DS-160 as part of an E-Visa and is handled online through the U.S. Department of State Consular Electronic Application Center. The applicant also needs to create an account through the U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service, choose a courier location, and pay the required fee.
At that point, supporting documents are submitted through the appropriate channels. Precisely what’s required varies depending on the visa type, but it could include purchase orders, bills of lading, or similar items for E1 visas or proof of investment or ownership for E2 visas. That exact process can vary depending on the person’s home country but usually involves submitting the documents as PDFs via email.
After the application and supporting documentation is received and reviewed, the applicant is notified and can set up an interview appointment. When that date arrives, they’ll need to bring specific documents — like passports and a photograph — and meet with their assigned official to complete the process.
