Last Updated on December 7, 2022 by Anda Malescu
E2 visa for citizens of Australia is an option for expanding business operations in the US. Similarly, for citizens of New Zealand interested in doing business in the US, the E2 visa is available since June 2019.
The approval of KIWI act (Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors Act) in 2018, made New Zealand citizens able to apply and obtain an E2 Visa. Although New Zealand citizens can now apply for the E2 visa, only certain nationals can fully enjoy the benefits of this type of visa.
As for Indian or Chinese citizens, for example, they cannot apply for an E2 visa unless entering as dependents of E2 visa applicants or becoming citizens of one of the E2 treaty countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
The E2 investor visa is available only to citizens of countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States.
The E2 investor visa is a US non-immigrant visa that allows a foreign investor to live and work in the United States together with his or her family based on a substantial investment in a US business. The E2 investor can choose to invest in a startup or purchase an already existing business or a franchise.
The spouse of the E2 investor is employment authorized incident to status and can engage in any type of employment in the United States and the children of the E2 investor can attend any private or public schools, universities and colleges.
To find out more about the E2 investor visa please click here.
In the case of New Zealand, the US Ambassador to New Zealand, confirmed that the new E2 investor visa would make trade between New Zealand and the United States much easier, saying that “we already have a pretty nice flow of trade traffic on this two-way street. Think of the E1/E2 visas as taking out a few of the speed bumps along the way. The trade gets easier, more efficient. That’s the goal here.”
Also, Leon Grice, the NZ-US Council Chairman, speaking on the topic, stated that the KIWI Act was an important step for the bilateral relationship between the two countries and pointed out that “for many years getting a visa to invest, create jobs or establish a business presence in the United States has been a costly barrier and [for] New Zealand exporters to the US it was often their number one concern.”
The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, also spoked favorably when the KIWI Act was approved, saying that “this is a major step and very much welcomed by the New Zealand Government [as] the United States is a key strategic partner for New Zealand.”
For citizens of Australia there are more business visas available for the United States. In addition to the possibility of entering the US using the E1 and E2 visas, there is another type of visa that is available for Australian citizens since 2005, the E3 visa.
The E3 visa allows Australian professionals to enter the US to take a professional position relevant to their specialty. In this case the professional must have a university degree and the job they are seeking to carry out, must require degree-level skills and knowledge.
For more information about the E2 visa for citizens of Australia and New Zealand and E2 treaty investor visa contact our Miami, Florida USA attorneys below.
Our E2 visa attorneys in Miami, Florida USA assist investors and entrepreneurs with E2 visa application, E2 business plan, E2 business selection and franchise and related services. Contact us or schedule a consultation.
Malescu Law P.A. – Immigration Lawyers
