E visas serve nationals of treaty countries who invest in or trade with a U.S. business. L-1 visas let multinational companies transfer managers and specialized staff to a U.S. office.
Who this is for
- Founders opening a U.S. entity
- Multinationals moving staff to the U.S.
- Investors from treaty countries
What to know
- L-1 requires at least one continuous year of work for a related company abroad within the past three years.
- L-1A covers managers and executives; L-1B covers specialized knowledge.
- E-2 requires a substantial, at-risk investment in a real, operating U.S. enterprise.
Forms usually involved
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| I-129 | Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| DS-160 | Nonimmigrant Visa Application |
| DS-156E | Treaty Trader/Investor Application |
General information, not legal advice. Requirements and processing change; we confirm current rules for your case.