An E-2 visa is a visa that requires a foreign national to invest a certain amount of money in the U.S. and also hire U.S. workers.
An E-1 visa is a Treaty Trader Visa and allows nationals from certain countries to live and work in the United States to engage in international trade between the U.S. and their home country.
A comparison of the two visas is listed below:
Question | E-1 Visa | E-2 Visa |
Do you have to make a financial investment? | No | Yes – investment amount is not clearly defined but usually over $100,000. |
| Do you have to hire U.S. workers? | Not as per regulations but employees will always help an application. | Yes – no defined amount but business cannot be just for the applicant and his/her family |
Can Spouse get Employment Authorization? | Yes | Yes |
Do you have to be a member of a Treaty Country? | Yes | Yes |
| Business Plan Required | Not required but good to describe the business and show the Government where the business will be going. | Yes unless company has been in operation for 3 years with profit. |
Can children under 21 get an E-1 visa? | Yes | Yes |
| Can the E-2 Visa be renewed indefinitely? | Yes | Yes |