E-2 Visas for Israel Now Available

After many years of negotiations, the E-2 visa category is finally available to Israeli nationals, starting on May 1, 2019.

​The U.S. Embassy in Israel made the announcement on their website, and already has detailed instructions for visa applications. This is an important announcement for the Israeli high-tech sector and the U.S. economy because it opens new possibilities for Israelis wishing to create start-ups in the U.S. or open subsidiaries in the U.S. 

Israelis have been eligible for E-1 Treaty Trader status since 1949. E-1 status requires that the majority of the trade of the company is between the US and Israel, and that the trade be substantial. 

In contrast, E-2 status does not require any continuing business between the US company and the treaty country. E-2 status is available to nationals of treaty countries who enter the US as managers/executives, or with "essential skills" and will be employed by a US company that is at least 50% owned by treaty nationals. A common misconception is that the E-2 visa holder must herself be the investor. This is not the case. E-2 visa holders fall into two general categories:

1. Treaty nationals who are creating a new US business or buying an existing business.
2. Treaty nationals who are entering the US to work for a company that is owned by people of the same nationality. For example, a German person coming to the US to work for a German-owned company could get E-2 status, assuming she met all other requirements.

For more information about E-2 visas (one of my favorites), contact Elaine Martin, Immigration Lawyer.  Se also this link: http://www.martinvisalawyer.com/uploads/3/8/6/0/38600843/e-2_info_sheet.pdf

USCIS notice on Israel E-2 here.

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