In its attempt to attract foreign traders and investors the US government awards two types of treaty investor visas: the Treaty Investor Visa E-1 and The Treaty Traders Visa E-2.

· What is the visa for?
These are non immigrant visa issued by a US embassy or consulate. The E1 visa allows foreign citizens of countries the US has signed special E1 treaties to conduct trade between their home country and the US.

The E2 visa allows foreign citizens, of countries the US has special treaties with; to enter the US to establish and manage a company they have made major investments in. This corporation can be US based or in the process of being created in the US.

Both of these business visas also apply for foreign companies sending personnel to the US to set up a US company or for personnel to come and manage an already existing US branch of a foreign corporation.

· Who can qualify?
Unlike other immigration visas, investor visas apply to a restricted amount of people. Business personnel, managers, executives, business specialists or entrepreneurs that meet the qualification above can apply for either an E1 or E2 visa. Once accepted, the status can be extended to their immediate family. These visas can be extended for a period of 2 years, for an unlimited amount of times as long as one complies with the status requirements.

· Application procedure
Applicants should file their initial application and other required forms and fees with their US embassy or consulate that will process their application, and forward it to the a centers of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ,  the  government agency  that supervises all areas of  lawful  immigration to the U. S. A.