What are E-2 visas? What are Treaty Investors?

For a few days, American Immigration Services will post daily blogs on the E-2 visas, which pertain to "Treaty Investors." These are foreign entrepreneurs from countries with trade treaties, who generally invest at least USD $50,000 into the American economy.

As a basic principle, the Federal government values the potential contributions of foreign entrepreneurs to the American economy. As an incentive, the government provides the E-2 visa to foreign entrepreneurs (now referred to as "Treaty Investors") who wish to manage and operate their business in the United States and generally has some of the following:

1. control of their investment
2. their investment cannot be funded by criminal activity
3. their investment must be active (e.g., land development), rather than passive (e.g., land investment)

Any foreign employees of the Treaty Investor is also eligible for the E-2 visa if they are of the same citizenship and has an executive or supervisory role in the business. Also, spouses and children of a Treaty Investor are eligible for the E-2 visa.

There'll be more information tomorrow on E-2 visas. If you are interested in learning more, please contact laninau@aislaw.com.