Essential E-2 Visa Requirement: Treaty Country Citizenship

Explore the complete E-2 visa countries list. The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa for the USA is a popular visa option for foreign investors and entrepreneurs seeking to establish, develop, and direct a U.S. business. Unlike many other visa categories, the E-2 visa does not require a job offer and allows the principal investor to bring their family.

However, in order to qualify, the principal investor must be a citizen of one of the countries with which the United States maintains a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation.

Important Note on Citizenship: You must hold a passport from an E-2 Visa Country to qualify. Being a legal permanent resident of an E-2 country is not sufficient for eligibility. To learn more, visit E-2 visa requirements.

E-2 Investor Visa Treaty Countries and Validity Periods

Currently, the U.S. maintains E-2 Treaties with approximately 80 nations. The length of time the E-2 visa is issued for, known as the E-2 visa validity period (or reciprocity period), depends entirely on the agreement between the U.S. and the specific treaty country.

The table below lists the E-2 Investor Visa Countries and their standard maximum validity periods.

Understanding E-2 Visa Validity and Status

It is important to distinguish between the visa validity period and the period of stay.

For countries with a short validity period (for example, 3 months), the investor must enter the U.S. within that 3-month window. Once inside the U.S., they are entitled to a 2-year period of stay. The investor can either renew their status with USCIS indefinitely inside the U.S. or renew the visa at a U.S. consulate if they travel internationally.

E-2 Spouse and Dependent Status

The E-2 investor visa allows for the entire family to relocate. The spouse and unmarried children under 21 qualify for derivative E-2 status based on the principal visa holder’s status.

The key benefit here is that the family’s derivative status ties to the principal applicant’s nationality, not their own. For example:

E-2 spouses can work in the United States without restriction.

Need to Speak to an E-2 Investor Visa Lawyer?

If your country does not appear on this list, you should check the official U.S. Department of State website for the most current information.

For more information about the E-2 Investor Visa or to speak to our experienced E2 visa lawyers in Miami, Florida, USA, contact us or schedule a consultation to determine your eligibility.

We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states and worldwide.

Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Corporate Lawyers