How to Apply for an E1 or E2 Investor Visa in the US
Our 40 page white paper is intended to provided a step by step guide for international investors wishing to establish a physical presence in the US market via the E1 or E2 investor visa.
The US Investor Visa White Paper
Treaty Trader visas (E-1) and Treaty Investor visas (E-2) are non-immigrant visas for citizens of countries which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation (list of countries eligible for visa). The applicant must be coming to the United States to engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, in qualifying activities, principally between the United States and the treaty country (E-1); or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the applicant has invested or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital (E-2).
The Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor visas were established to facilitate and enhance economic interaction between the United States and other treaty countries. They were not intended to serve as a means for foreigners to retire or merely reside in the United States. U.S. law (see paragraph 101(a)(15)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) explicitly states that E-1 visa holders must enter “solely to carry on substantial trade” and E-2 holders “solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise” in which he or she has invested. Moreover, these visas are nonimmigrant visas and thus temporary.
Treaty trader/investor visas can be renewed or extended only if the investment or trade continues to meet all applicable requirements of U.S. immigration laws and regulations. Persons wishing to remain indefinitely in the United States should apply for the appropriate immigrant visa.
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa Example
A Singapore based shoe design and manufacturing company has been trading its goods to the United States for the last several years. Over 50% of their international trade takes place exclusively between the United States and the Singapore. Over the last year, their trade has grown significantly and now they wish to move sales staff permanently to the United States to help increase their trade. The Singapore shoe business may benefit from an E-1 treaty trader visa.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visas Example
A successful British investor and tech entrepreneur recently purchased a 75% stake in a startup located in Los Angeles for $500,000. The startup operates at a profit and employs over 20 staff, most of whom are American citizens. If all the conditions for the visa are met, the investor could obtain an E-2 treaty investor visa to oversee the company in the United States. Also, the investor can send over well-qualified product managers to the United States to work in the company.
How Does Yondaa Fit into This?
Our U.S company formation services include everything you need to get your company up and running, including filing your incorporation documents with the state, obtaining an operating agreement & EIN tax ID for your business, mail delivery, forwarding and handling and registered agent services for your business as required by state law. Yondaa’ s services provide everything you need to legally establish your US business.
Who Are We?
Yondaa was formed on the premise that it shouldn’t be complicated to take your business international. In an age where markets are becoming increasingly intertwined and products and services transcend national boundaries, we believe that setting up a business should be simple and free of red tape. That’s why our core service is removing the complexity and packaging company formations into an easily manageable process where we work on your behalf to establish your business, so you can spend time thinking about running your business.
Download the Free Whitepaper
The intent of this white paper is to provide an in-depth overview of the E1 & E2 visa to define the process for companies wishing to expand into the U.S market. Click here to download the free whitepaper.
