The E visa belongs to the category of work visas and allows holders to stay temporarily to take up employment in the USA. We will be happy to check whether your company and your employees qualify for the E category.
The e-visa is based on bilateral treaties between the United States and 50 or 80 other countries. Therefore, only companies from these treaty countries are eligible for this visa category. A list of these countries can be found on the website of the U.S. Department of State.
The E visa is divided into two subcategories. Depending on the company's entry requirements, applicants can apply for a E-1 visa or E-2 visa. Further information, such as the respective validity periods, application processes or special features of the two E visa categories, can be found on the respective subpages.
Name: Treaty Trader visa
For whom: (commercial) traders
Validity: Maximum 5 years
Name: Treaty Investor visa
For whom: investors
Validity: Maximum 5 years
Once the first employee of a company has received an e-visa, the company is considered to be "E registered". This simplifies the application process for additional visas and allows the company to send qualified employees faster and easier to the USA.
Unlike many other work visa categories, there is no minimum employment period requirement for an E visa, i.e., in principle, even newly hired employees will be sent to the USA with this visa. In practice, however, it is increasingly difficult to prove that specialized knowledge exists despite a short period of employment.
Since the e-visa is relatively cost-effective and the application procedure less time consuming. However, it is always an alternative worth considering to other US work visas, such as the L visa.
The e-visa is based on bilateral agreements between the United States and 50 or 80 other countries. Therefore, only companies from these treaty countries can apply for the visa. A list of these countries can be found on the website of the U.S. Department of State.
The period of validity of an e-visa depends on the nationality. Depending on the nationality, the so-called reciprocity schedule how long the visa will be valid for. For example, German nationals normally receive a five-year E-1 or E-2 visa.
However, consular officials also have the option of limiting the duration of the visa. This is the case, for example, if the company is quite small or has relatively low investment capital. In addition, the granting of visas for smaller companies can be based on the remaining registration period. However, for medium-sized to large companies with a large number of US personnel, e-visas are usually issued for five years, regardless of how long the e-registration is still valid.
The visa fees for E visa are at 299.25 € (315 $) per applicant. The general application fee of the US consulates or US embassies must be paid by all applicants and cannot be refunded or transferred to other persons.
In addition, for some E visa applicants incur additional costs:
Further information about the different visa fees, other possible costs and the current payment methods can be found on our fees page.
It is important to note that applying for an E visa requires a thorough understanding of the process and careful planning of the steps required. There are numerous important aspects to consider, from choosing the appropriate visa type according to the purpose of the trip through to the correct completion of the application forms and preparation for the visa interview.
The following section explains the individual steps for applying online for an E-1 or E-2 visa for the USA and provides a guide to a successful visa application.
E-visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 usually have to go through the consular procedure. This means that, in most cases, the E visa is issued as part of a personal interview in a responsible US representation (US consulate or US embassy) in the home country.
Applicants should follow the steps below to apply for an E visa to the USA:
The first step in applying for an e-visa for the USA is to fill out the electronic visa application form DS-160 on the website of the U.S. Department of State.
The digital application form must contain detailed information about the applicant and the planned stay in the United States. Therefore, please have the following documents ready to complete the online DS-160 form:
Just a few days after submitting your DS-160 form, you can check the status of your visa application online.
Did you know? The professional processing and return of your DS-160 is part of our service.
Create a visa profile on the website of the wisa information service through which your visa applications are processed.
Here you can also pay the visa processing fee and make an appointment for the visa interview.
When you commission our US Visa Service, we create the required online profile, pay the consular visa application fee and arrange the appointment for the personal interview with the US consular officials.
Show up on day of the interview personally in the US consulate or at the US embassy. Your documents will be checked there and you will be interviewed by the consular officers.
The following documents must be prepared and brought along for the appointment at the US consulate or US embassy:
Be prepared to answer questions about your visa application, your planned stay in the US and other relevant topics.
As a rule, E Visa applicants are informed at the end of their visit to the US consulate or embassy whether or not their visa application will be approved.
Our visa consultants will prepare you perfectly for this important appointment and provide you with the necessary documents to ensure that your visa interview runs as smoothly as possible.
If your visa application is approved, you will receive your passport with the E visa returned by post or can arrange a pick-up appointment.
Your E visa was issued verbally by the US officials and is now being finalized.
After the E-1 or E-2 visa has been printed or issued in the passport, the passport with the corresponding US visa will be sent by post.
In some cases, US consular officers decide not to approve the e-visa immediately and issue a visa refusal in accordance with Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The consequence of this is so-called administrative processing. The US visa application therefore requires a further security check and is subject to additional processing steps. Additional documents or information may be required from you.
If the US officials conclude that you do not qualify for the E category, your visa to the US will be denied. There is no need to give reasons for the denial, but applicants who are denied a visa are usually given further instructions on the day of the interview appointment or sent a denial letter after a certain processing time.
The reasons vary greatly depending on the visa category and applicant (e.g. assumption of an intention to immigrate, suspicion of illegal employment, incorrect application documentation).
Failure to meet visa requirements is often the reason for denials. Applicants may not meet the necessary requirements for the visa category applied for, such as a lack of ties to the home country, insufficient financial resources or difficulties in proving the legality of a US company and its ability to properly hire and pay employees. Discrepancies in the visa interview may also occur, especially if the visa category applied for does not match the purpose of entry, such as a presumption of immigration intent or illegal work.
Furthermore, errors in the visa application or insufficient documentation can lead to rejections. This may include incomplete documents, incorrect information in the DS-160 visa application form or inadequate preparation of the e-visa application.
Applicants' personal circumstances also play a role and are among the most common reasons for rejection. These include previous convictions, a terrorist background, infectious diseases, immigration offenses such as illegal residence or illegal work in the USA as well as conspicuous behavior during previous entries.
The consequences for the applicant resulting from the refused e-visa depend on the reason for refusal.
Although the US authorities do not have to give reasons for the refusal, you can politely ask for the reason for the refusal at the interview appointment at the US consulate or embassy. This information will help you if you wish to reapply for the E visa.
Your e-visa application should be prepared carefully and conclusively in the second attempt at the latest. This includes choosing the correct category, the DS-160 online form complete and correctly and to collect meaningful evidence.
By the way: With Global Entry, certain biometrically registered and security-checked travelers can complete entry formalities independently and automatically at almost all major US airports. This allows foreign nationals to avoid long waiting times and enter the USA more quickly.
The stay in the USA can be extended indefinitely as long as the US company is registered, the employees have a valid visa and can provide proof of a (German or American) employment contract or secondment contract within the group of companies.
The E-1 visa and the E-2 visa are both non-immigrant visas for investors and traders who want to do business in the USA. But how exactly do the two US visas differ from each other? Here is a comparison of the two visas:
Purpose and scope of application
Authorized applicants
Investment requirements
Duration and extension options
Work authorization
Purpose and scope of application
Authorized applicants
Investment requirements
Duration and extension options
Work authorization
Spouses and unmarried children up to the age of 21 receive a derived status upon application and thus also an E-1 visa with an additional endorsement.
Spouses with a derivative E-1 or E-2 visa are allowed to apply for a general work permit (Employment Authorization Document, EAD) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or submit a corresponding note on entry by the border guards. This means that people are not tied to a specific job or the company of the main applicant and can work in the USA independently of their spouse.
This work permit is issued for two years. An extension for a further two years is possible, up to the maximum duration of stay of the main applicant.
Children of E-1 and E-2 holder can participate in educational institutions (schools/universities), but are not allowed to pursue paid employment. If the children reach the American age of majority of 21, they must change their non-immigration status or leave the country.
Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may receive a so-called derived E-1 visa obtained. The duration of validity depends on the citizenship of the family members and is possible for maximum for the same period as the main applicant. Spouses have the option to work for any U.S. employer: either by applying for their own work permit (Employment Authorization Document, EAD), or corresponding note on entry by the border guards.
Family members under E-1 status may also attend public or private educational institutions. Once children reach the U.S. age of majority, they must either change their nonimmigrant status or leave the country.
The following reasons make a successful E-1 application difficult or result in immediate rejection:
As a rule, applicants find out on the day of their interview whether the visa will be granted or not. In certain cases, the visa applicant receives a rejection letter from the consulate after a certain processing time. A rejection must not justified be
Once this has happened, it usually takes several months or even years before a new visa can be (successfully) applied for. Theoretically, the applicant has the following options No waiting time until the next submission. However, experience shows that without blatant improvement of the requirements of the respective visa category (e.g. proof of the intention to return to the home country, financial means, proof of specialized professional knowledge, etc.), a renewed application does not seem to make much sense.
Unlike most work visas, the application for an E-1 visa does not have to be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but can be submitted directly to a US Consulate be applied for.
Also a E-1 visa cannot guarantee you entry into the USA. Here, the U.S. border officials have the final say and decide whether you are allowed to enter and for how long you will be granted residency status.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age can obtain a so-called derivative E-2 visa. The duration of validity depends on the citizenship of the family members and is possible for a maximum of the same period as the main applicant. Spouses have the option to work for any U.S. employer: either by applying for their own work permit (Employment Authorization Document, EAD), or corresponding note on entry by the border guards.
Family members under E-2 status may also attend public or private educational institutions. Once children reach the U.S. age of majority, they must either change their nonimmigrant status or leave the country.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age are also granted a derived E-2 visa for the same period as the main applicant. Spouses may also apply for their own Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is not tied to a specific job or the principal applicant's company. This is usually valid for two years, but can be extended for another two years.
Family members under E-2 status can also attend public or private educational institutions. As soon as the children reach the age of majority in the United States, they must either change their nonimmigrant status or leave the country.
The following reasons make a successful E-1 application difficult or could lead to immediate rejection:
Accompanying spouses and unmarried children up to the age of 21 years are granted a derived status on application and thus also an E-1 visa. Spouses with an E-1 visa may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS after entering the United States, which is not tied to a specific job or the main applicant's company, and thus may work in the U.S. independently of their spouse.
This work permit is issued for two years, with the possibility of an extension for a further two years up to the maximum duration of stay of the E-1 visa holder.
Children of E-1 visa holders may attend educational institutions (schools / universities), but may not engage in paid employment. If the children reach the age of majority in force in the U.S., they must change their nonimmigrant status or leave the country.
As a rule, applicants are informed on the day of their interview whether the visa will be issued or not. In certain cases, the visa applicant will receive a letter of refusal from the U.S. consulate after a certain processing time. A rejection does not have to be justified.
Once this has been done, a new visa can usually only be (successfully) applied for after several months or even years. In theory, there is no waiting period for the applicant until the next submission. However, experience has shown that without a blatant improvement in the requirements of the respective visa category (e.g. proof of the intention to return to the home country, financial means, proof of professional expertise, etc.), a new application does not appear to make much sense.
Unlike most work visas, the application for an E-1 visa does not have to be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, but can be applied for directly at a U.S. consulate.
Even an E-1 visa cannot guarantee you entry to the United States. In fact the CBP officers have the final say and decide whether you are allowed to enter and for how long you will receive a resident status.
The fees for applying for a visa vary considerably depending on the category and may regularly increase or decrease, also as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. Therefore, every applicant should inform himself about the current fees before applying.
The application for a U.S. visa must be made through the official U.S. authorities, e.g. the U.S. consulates and U.S. embassies. The actual visa application is placed online, but almost every applicant must go to the consulate in person for a visa interview. With some work visas, it is sometimes necessary to send extensive files by mail to the U.S. authorities in the USA prior to the consular application procedure.
We advise and support companies and private individuals in all matters relating to visa applications. Read more about the requirements, duration and costs of a visa application.
A U.S. work visa is always tied to a specific U.S. company. In turn this means that you must have a specific employer in the United States before you can apply for a work visa.
The application process begins with the U.S. company that wants to hire you. The U.S. employer submits the petition either to the USCIS or to the responsible U.S. consulate. Since the application for a temporary work permit is made by the company for a future foreign employee, the U.S. employer is therefore the so-called petitioner, which means the official applicant. The future employee is the entitled person and thus the so-called beneficiary.
Many companies wonder what happens to the company-bound work visa when the visa holder no longer works for the U.S. employer.
In the event that the employment contract is terminated, the U.S. work visa automatically loses its validity. The derived visas of any family members who may have travelled with the employee also lose their validity upon termination of the work relations, as these are linked to the visa of the main visa applicant.
This means that the former visa holder is no longer allowed to enter the country with the work visa after termination of the employment relationship. Even if the work visa is theoretically still valid for a certain period of time, the visa may no longer be used to enter the United States. If the visa holder concerned wishes to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business purposes in the future, he / she must reapply for an ESTA or a corresponding visa, depending on the type of activities carried out on site and the duration of such activities.
Tip: In order to avoid discrepancies or problems with later entries, it is advisable to inform the U.S. consulate about the new work situation. For this purpose, it is sufficient if the responsible company representative (e.g. HR manager, supervisor, board of directors) sends an e-mail to the responsible consulate with the request to invalidate the visa of the former employee. If possible, a copy of the visa should also be attached. The consulate will then put a note in the system so that the CBP officers at the U.S. border are also informed.
In some cases, the visa holder will even be contacted directly by the U.S. consulate in order to send its passport with the work visa for the purpose of invalidation. In other cases, the visa will simply be invalidated by the CBP officer at the boder the next time he or she enters the United States.
Our recommendation: By sending a short message to the responsible U.S. consulate, companies can protect themselves and above all be sure that entry with the previously valid work visa is no longer possible. Do not take any risks and prevent possible abuse with company-bound visas.
Depending on the visa type, the application is made through the U.S. consulates in the home country or additionally through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In Germany, for example, you can apply at the U.S. Consulate in Berlin, Frankfurt/Main or Munich.
IMPORTANT: Since 2001, all applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 have been required to appear in person without exception. This means that all visa applicants of this age must submit their application at a personal interview at the U.S. consulate. No documents are submitted in advance by mail (exception: age groups under 14 and over 79, here the application is submitted by mail). Another exception at present is theVisa Reissuance Program.
All applicants of a Nonimmigrant visa must be in addition to the Online application DS-160a visa profile on the website of the Visa Information Servicecreate for the purpose of making an appointment and paying the visa processing fee.
In the first step you make the payment of the visa fee (please note that the application fee is not refundable if your visa is rejected). The fee can be paid by online bank transfer, SOFORT transfer (electronic funds transfer), debit card or cash at a bank. Usually you will receive an email notification that the payment has been received and your account has been activated so that the appointment can be made.
The interview appointment must be made either online via the visa profile or by calling the U.S. consulate call center at +49 (0)322 2109 3243. If you make the appointment online via your Visa Profile, you will have the opportunity to view the available appointments at the U.S. consulates in Berlin, Frankfurt/Main and Munich in a calendar. You will then receive an "Appointment Confirmation", i.e. an appointment confirmation including proof of payment of the visa application fee. Appointment postponements or cancellations are possible. However, if you postpone your appointment more than twice, you will have to go through the whole process from the beginning and pay the visa fee again. On our website you can find the current visa fees.
Depending on the type of visa, a certain application fee is charged per applicant, which is not refundable even if the visa is rejected.
Please make every effort to schedule an appointment in a timely manner. U.S. officials cannot and will not make allowances for individual travel plans.
Basically, in addition to the common DS-160 application form, applicants must have and the "Appointment Confirmation" you have to submit further documents. What these are also depends on the visa applied for.
Please note that your passport will be retained at the U.S. Consulate on the day of the interview and will be delivered by registered mail to a German address after a processing time of approximately one to two weeks. A personal pickup of the visa or an issuance on the same day are not possible!
Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 will be issued a derived J-2 visa for the same period as the principal applicant and may travel to the United States on that visa.
Employees or business owners must also meet a certain requirement profile to obtain an E-1 visa:
NOTICE: There is no minimum period of employment for employees within the group of companies, as is the case with the L visa. Consequently, new personnel can also be sent or deployed in the USA via E-1/E-2 status. However, it is also necessary to prove that new employees who are not managers or directors have the necessary specialized knowledge.
In contrast to many other work visas, not only the respective applicants (employees and/or company owners) receive an E-1/E-2 visa and thus a work permit for the U.S. in the initial application process - rather, the U.S. company is simultaneously "registered" with the U.S. authorities for (usually) five years as a whole at the U.S. consulate (= E-registration).
What are the advantages of this registration process?
Within the next five years, additional employees (including new hires, if applicable) can be sent to or deployed at the U.S. company in a greatly simplified process.
This eliminates the need to submit an elaborate application in advance for additional E-1/E-2 visa processes within the approved registration period. Employees can present their documents directly at a personal interview appointment at the relevant U.S. consulate. The simplified procedure means considerable cost and time savings for the company. Especially in comparison to the expensive L-visa procedure, the E-status is therefore always an alternative worth considering!
Nationality link of e-registration
The only shortcoming of E-registration: the nationality requirement for personnel. This means that German companies can only issue E-1/E-2 visas to German nationals. The same applies to companies that have a different nationality. For example, a French company would only be allowed to issue E-1/E-2 visas to French employees.
Extension of e-registration
After expiration of the E-1/E-2 registration, an application for renewal can be filed at the U.S. Consulate. If the U.S. company already has more than 25 U.S. employees at that time, a simplified renewal procedure can be used.
To the extent that 25 or fewer U.S. citizens are employed, a complete new application (as in the initial registration process) must be submitted to the appropriate U.S. consulate.
In fact, as long as the U.S. company exists and the E-1 visa requirements are still met, the E-registration can be renewed indefinitely.
First of all, you have to distinguish between the period of validity of the visa and the period of stay granted at the US border (see FAQ What is the difference between visa and status?).
Period of validity of the e-visa
The validity period of an e-visa depends on the nationality. Depending on the nationality, is determined on the basis of the so-called Reciprocity Schedule decided how long the visa will be valid. For example, German citizens usually receive a five-year E-1 or E-2 visa. But the issuance of a one- or two-year E-visa is also possible if the E-registration of the company is limited to less than five years.
Although the company's registration is usually for five years, the registration may be limited to one or two years, especially if it is a smaller company that can demonstrate only small trading volumes. In addition, for smaller companies, the issuance of E-1/E-2 visas may be based on the remaining registration period. However, for medium to large companies with a high number of U.S. personnel, E visas are most often issued for five years, regardless of how long the E registration remains valid.
Length of stay upon entry into the USA
Upon entry into the U.S., the border agent decides how long an e-visa holder is allowed to stay in the U.S.. And the allowed length of stay of the e-visa holder will be indicated on his/her Form I-94 noted. In the rain, an e-visa holder receives a two-year residence permit for the first and all subsequent entries. The extension of the stay in the U.S. is unlimited as long as the registration of the U.S. company is available, the employee has a valid visa and the employee can prove a (German or American) employment contract or assignment contract within the group of companies.
Accompanying spouses and unmarried children up to 21 years of age will be granted derivative status upon application, and thus also an E-1/E-2 visa. Spouses with an E-1/E-2 visa may nfter entering the countryto the USA a General Work Permit (Employment Authorization Document, EAD) apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and thus pursue work in the U.S. independently of their spouse.
The work permit is issued for two years, with the possibility of extension for another two years, up to the maximum duration of stay of the E-1/E-2 visa holder.
Children of E-1/E-2 holders may of course attend educational institutions (schools/universities), but may not engage in paid work.
As a rule, applicants find out on the day of their interview whether the visa will be granted or not.
In certain cases, the visa applicant receives a letter of refusal from the consulate after a certain processing time. Incidentally, no reasons need to be given for a refusal. The reasons for this can be manifold and range - depending on the visa category - from the assumption of an immigration intention, to the presumption of illegal employment, to insufficient application documentation.
Once this has happened, a new visa can usually only be (successfully) applied for after several months or even years. Theoretically, there is no waiting period for the applicant until the next submission. However, experience shows that without a blatant improvement in the requirements of the respective visa category (e.g. proof of the intention to return to the home country, financial means, proof of specialized professional knowledge, etc.), a new application does not appear to make much sense.
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