The E-2 treaty investor visa is a strong choice for investors in certain countries who wish to make an investment in the United States and actively run a business here. However, it is important to note that, though there is no minimum investment amount required (as there is with the EB-5 investor visa), only foreigners from certain countries may apply for a visa. It is also important to note that this visa does not necessarily lead to permanent residency in the United States and must be renewed every few years.
Here are the countries that currently have qualifying treaties with the United States (list updated in 2012):
- Argentina
- Pakistan
- Germany
- Australia
- Philippines
- Honduras
- Bangladesh
- Romania
- Belarus
- Senegal
- Italy
- Taiwan
- Switzerland
- Latvia
- Congo
- Togo
- Luxembourg
- Czech Republic
- Tunisia
- Ecuador
- Turkey
- Moldavia
- Georgia
- Armenia
- Panama
- Grenada
- Austria
- Poland
- Iran
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Slovak Republic
- Kyrgyzstan
- Colombia
- Thailand
- Liberia
- Costa Rica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Ukraine
- Bosnia
- Spain
- Bulgaria
- Sri Lanka
- Kazakhstan
- Canada
- Sweden
- Estonia
- United Kingdom
- Ethiopia
- Uzbekistan
- Norway
- France
- Jamaica
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Japan
- Cameroon
- Suriname
- Korea
- Mongolia
- Netherlands
- Finland
- Yugoslavia
- Oman
Note that there are pending treaties with six other countries: Albania, Azerbaijan, Haiti, Jordan, Nicaragua, and Russia.