E1 Visa (Treaty Trader)

The E1 Visa is for nationals from countries with which the US has a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation who are coming to the US to engage in substantial trade between the US and the alien's country of nationality. The E1 visa employee must hold a supervisory or executive position or have skills which are essential to the successful operation of the enterprise. The E1 visa is initially valid for two years and may be extended indefinitely.

In order to qualify for an E1 Visa, you must be a national of one of the following treaty countries:

Spouses and children of E1 visa holders may enter and remain in the US in E1 status. E1 visa spouses may apply for work permit. E1 spouses and children may attend school in the United States.  E1 Visas are appropriate for executives, managers and specialists of a treaty nation company operating in the US seeking to enter to carry out substantial trade, including their family members.  E1 visas are also appropriate for companies in treaty countries who wish to send key personnel to set up a US company or manage the US affiliate or branch. 

E2 Visa (Treaty Investor)

The E2 visa is designed for aliens engaged in international investment between the United States and the alien's country of nationality. E2 visa holders must make a active and substantial investment as well as perform an essential role in the enterprise that results in the creation of job opportunities for US workers. There is no set amount an E2 visa holder must invest as it depends on the type of enterprise. The E2 visa is initially valid for two years and may be extended indefinitely.

In order to qualify for an E2 visa, you must be a national of one of the following treaty countries:

Spouses and children of E2 visa holders may enter and remain in the US in E2 status. E2 spouses may apply for work permit. E2 spouses and children may attend school in the United States.  E1 Visas are appropriate for executives, managers and specialists of a treaty nation company operating in the US seeking to enter to carry out substantial trade, including their family members.  it also appropriate for companies in treaty countries who wish to send key personnel to set up a US company or manage the US affiliate or branch.

E3 Visa (Australian Specialty Worker)

The E3 visa is specifically designed for Australian nationals who will perform in a specialty occupation in the US. A specialty occupation requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. For example, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts are specialty occupations. If the Australian applicant has a college degree or work experience and the job requires a college degree, then the applicant should be able to obtain an E3 visa.

The E3 Visa is appropriate for Australian nationals with specialized knowledge, such as scientists, engineers, programmers, research analysts, management consultants, journalists, accountants, and others with a Bachelor's or equivalent degree.  In addition to qualify for an E3 visa, an Australian applicant must demonstrate:

1. that he or she must have a legitimate offer of employment in the United States;
2. that the position he or she is coming to fill qualifies as specialty occupation employment;
3. that he or she is an Australian citizen;
4. that he or she has the necessary academic or other qualifying credentials; and
5. that his or her stay will be temporary

Contact a Texas Immigration Lawyer at Bertolino LLP

Bertolino LLP maintains offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To reach an attorney in the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the San Antonio office, call 210.223.5553. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474. You may also contact the firm by e-mail.