E-2 Treaty Countries: Full List and What It Means for Your Visa
March 3, 2026 · 7 min read
Your nationality is the first gate in the E-2 visa process. The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is only available to citizens of countries that maintain a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States. As of 2026, approximately 83 nations hold active treaties — but the practical experience varies widely from country to country.
In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. issued over 46,000 E-2 visas globally. Japan led the world in E-2 issuances, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. Understanding where your country stands on this list is essential before investing a single dollar in your application.
Source: U.S. Department of State — Visa Statistics FY2023
Top 10 E-2 Treaty Countries by Visa Issuance (FY2023)
1. What Are E-2 Treaty Countries?
An E-2 treaty country is a nation that has signed a bilateral Treaty of Commerce and Navigation (or similar agreement) with the United States. These treaties establish reciprocal rights for citizens of both nations to invest in and operate businesses within each other’s borders.
The treaty must specifically include provisions for investor visa access. Not all bilateral agreements qualify. For example, China has extensive trade relations with the U.S. but does not have an E-2 treaty — meaning Chinese nationals cannot apply for the E-2 visa regardless of their investment amount.
Treaties are negotiated at the national level and typically remain in force indefinitely, though either party can terminate with advance notice. The practical implication: if your country has an active treaty, you are eligible. If it does not, no amount of investment will change that.
Source: U.S. Department of State — Treaty Countries
2. Complete List of E-2 Treaty Countries in 2026
The following countries maintain active E-2 investor treaties with the United States as of 2026. Countries are organized by region.
Europe (35 countries)
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.
Asia-Pacific (18 countries)
Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Americas (14 countries)
Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago.
Middle East & Africa (16 countries)
Bahrain, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Morocco, Oman, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey.
E-2 Visa Issuances by Region (FY2023)
3. Countries with Highest E-2 Approval Rates
Not all treaty countries are created equal in practice. While the legal requirements are the same, certain nationalities benefit from smoother processing and higher approval rates due to established consular relationships and familiarity with application patterns.
| Country | FY2023 Issuances | Avg. Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 5,892 | 2-4 weeks | Highest volume globally. Tokyo consulate highly efficient. |
| Germany | 4,213 | 3-6 weeks | Strong bilateral ties. Frankfurt consulate well-staffed. |
| United Kingdom | 3,845 | 3-5 weeks | London consulate processes quickly post-Brexit. |
| France | 3,401 | 4-6 weeks | Paris consulate requires detailed business plans. |
| South Korea | 3,187 | 3-5 weeks | Seoul consulate has dedicated E-visa unit. |
| Canada | 2,956 | 2-4 weeks | Proximity advantage. Can also apply via USCIS Change of Status. |
Source: U.S. Department of State — Nonimmigrant Visa Statistics
4. What If Your Country Is Not on the List?
If your country does not have an E-2 treaty with the U.S., you cannot apply for an E-2 visa — but you have alternatives. Citizens of non-treaty countries including China, India, Vietnam, and Brazil should consider these options:
EB-5 Investor Visa. Open to all nationalities. Requires $800,000 (TEA) or $1,050,000 investment. Leads directly to a green card.
L-1 Intracompany Transfer. Transfer from a foreign office to a U.S. branch. Requires one year of employment abroad.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability. For individuals with demonstrated expertise in business, science, or arts.
Dual Citizenship Strategy. Some investors obtain citizenship in an E-2 treaty country (e.g., Grenada, Turkey) to qualify.
E-1 Treaty Trader. If your country has an E-1 (but not E-2) treaty, you may qualify through substantial trade volume.
The Grenada and Turkey Pathway
Grenada and Turkey both offer Citizenship by Investment programs that grant citizenship — and therefore E-2 treaty access — to foreign nationals who meet investment thresholds. Grenada requires approximately $150,000 in real estate investment, while Turkey requires $400,000. Both countries maintain active E-2 treaties with the United States.
This route typically adds 3-6 months to the total timeline but can be a viable strategy for high-net-worth individuals from non-treaty countries who want E-2 access without the higher EB-5 investment threshold.
Growth of E-2 Treaty Countries Over Time
5. How Treaty Country Status Affects Your Application
Your treaty country determines where you file, how long you wait, and what supplementary evidence you need. Here are the key factors:
Source: USCIS — E-2 Treaty Investors
Not Sure If You Qualify?
At Reinvent NY, we help investors from treaty and non-treaty countries alike find the right path to the United States. Whether you qualify for the E-2 directly or need an alternative strategy, we can help.
Book a Consultation →Satoshi Onodera is the CEO of Reinvent NY Inc., a New York-based advisory firm specializing in E-2 visa support, US real estate investment, and corporate relocation for international entrepreneurs. A first-generation immigrant from Japan, Satoshi has guided clients from over 20 countries through their American journey.