WHAT IS AN E VISA?
There are many types of US Visas.
A visa is a document that allows a foreign national to seek entry to a country. In the US, visas are classified as either Immigrant or Non-Immigrant. Immigrant visas allow applicants to immigrate to the US as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) and eventually apply for US Citizenship. E1 and E2 visas are non-immigrant visas that allow the holder to engage in trade with the US or invest in and operate a business in the US. These visas are often referred to US Business Visas.
Non-Immigrant visas allow for temporary visits to the US and are the most issued visas by the US government. Different visa classes apply to different purposes of entry and limit the holder’s activities while in the US as well as the duration of their stay. Some provide for a path to becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident of the US.
There are 2 countries, Canada and Bermuda, that are visa exempt and several countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). For Canadian and Bermudan travellers, they may seek entry at any US point of entry without holding a visa, in most cases, such as for leisure travel, conducting certain business activities, employment, and others. Almost every traveller is required to show a valid passport to enter the US.
Travellers from all other countries must apply for and obtain a visa from a US embassy or consulate before seeking entry into the US for any reason, including for leisure travel, and must also present a valid passport to be admitted.
In the cases of in-person revenue generation, such as conducting commercial trade or starting/purchasing and operating a business in the US, Canadian and Bermuda citizens, just like citizens from the other E Visa eligible countries, are required to obtain an E visa prior to conducting these activities on US soil. The good news is these E Visas come with unlimited renewal periods, so once you have it, it is easy to continue the business without delays, and renewals typically don’t require an in-person interview. Contact us today to find out what they are and if they would apply to the business you want to start in the US.
Sample US E Visa, 2023
USA E VISA APPLICATION
How to Apply for an E Visa?
The US E Visa application process is a multi-step process, which requires accuracy and thoroughness at each step. The steps include:
- Gather documentation
- Online Visa Application (DS-160).
- Form DS-156E
- Create a user profile and pay the visa application fee
- Interview at the appropriate US Consulate
At Lawsorio Consulting, we are experts at every stage of this process and recommend consulting us before trying any of these steps on your own to prevent delays and additional costs. We are committed to helping you be successful with your new business venture and will help you get approved for an E Visa on your first application.
We are so happy we decided to start a business in the US. We love working in the USA and generating revenue in US dollars. What a difference this has made to our lifestyle and our future retirement plans.
US E VISA ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible for the USA E Visa?
There are many criteria that must be met to be eligible to apply for and get approved for a US E Visa.
One is the type of commercial trade you want to do or the type of business you want to own and operate. This will dictate the type of US E Visa you will apply for, either an E1 Visa or and E2 Visa. Read on for more details.
Another eligibility requirement is your country of citizenship. Less than half of the world’s countries have negotiated treaties with the US to allow their citizens to apply for a US E Visa.
For a list of the US E Visa eligible countries…
E1 VISA OR E2 VISA?
What's the difference between an E1 Visa and E2 Visa?
E1 VISA USA
An E1 visa allows a foreign national to enter and live in the US for the purposes of conducting commercial trade with US entities.
See “What is an E1 Visa?” for more details >>
E2 VISA USA
An E2 visa allows foreign nationals to own and operate a permanent, full-time business and live in the US.
See “What is an E2 Visa?” for more details >>
E1 and E2 visas are valid for up to 5 years, depending on the country of citizenship of the holder, and holders are typically permitted to reside in the US for 2-year periods, at which time they must leave the US and re-enter with their visa. It is important to understand that a visa allows the holder to seek permission from a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer to enter the country. It is the CBP officer that makes the determination whether the visa holder is eligible and for how long they may stay.
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