E-2 Treaty Countries 2026: Full E-2 Visa Eligible List

Last updated: June 2026 · Reviewed against the U.S. Department of State Treaty Countries table

The E-2 visa is only open to citizens of countries that hold a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. As of 2026, 81 countries have a treaty that grants E-2 treaty investor eligibility, according to the U.S. Department of State Treaty Countries list. If your country of citizenship is not on that list, you cannot apply for an E-2 visa, regardless of how much you invest.

This guide gives you the complete, current list of E-2 treaty countries with the date each treaty entered into force, flags the countries that qualify for E-1 trade but not E-2 investment, and answers the question most applicants actually have: what to do when your country is not on the list.

What is an E-2 treaty country?

An E-2 treaty country is a nation that maintains a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, or a bilateral investment treaty, with the United States that includes treaty investor provisions. Citizens of these countries can apply for the E-2 visa to invest in and run a U.S. business. Eligibility is based on citizenship, not residence, so the country listed on your passport is what determines whether you qualify.

The treaty country requirement is set by the U.S. Department of State, which publishes and maintains the official list. The same framework underlies the related E-1 treaty trader visa. Countries are added when a new treaty enters into force and can be restricted when a treaty lapses. For the full E-2 requirements and processing details, USCIS maintains the governing guidance.

Full list of E-2 treaty countries (2026)

The table below lists every country with a treaty that confers E-2 treaty investor status, the visa classifications available (E-1 for treaty traders, E-2 for treaty investors), and the date the treaty entered into force. Countries marked E-1 and E-2 support both trade and investment routes.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Treaty Countries table.

Recent additions and notable changes

Portugal is the newest E-2 treaty country, with E-1 and E-2 status effective March 15, 2024 after Public Law 117-263. New Zealand and Israel joined in 2019. New Zealand received E-1 and E-2 status on June 10, 2019, and Israel gained E-2 treaty investor status on May 1, 2019 after the Israeli government confirmed reciprocal treatment for U.S. nationals.

Two countries hold restricted E-2 status. Bolivia and Ecuador no longer offer open E-2 eligibility. Only nationals with qualifying investments established before the cutoff dates (June 10, 2012 for Bolivia, May 18, 2018 for Ecuador) remain eligible, and those entitlements expire on a fixed schedule.

Countries that qualify for E-1 but not E-2

A small number of countries hold a treaty that supports the E-1 treaty trader visa but does not include treaty investor provisions for the E-2. Citizens of these countries can pursue E-1 status for international trade but cannot use the E-2 investment route:

• Brunei (E-1, treaty in force since July 11, 1853)
• Greece (E-1, treaty in force since October 13, 1954)

If you are a citizen of one of these countries and your goal is to invest in and operate a U.S. business rather than conduct ongoing trade, the E-2 is not available to you, and an alternative path such as the L-1 visa or EB-5 green card by investment may fit better.

Which major countries do NOT qualify for the E-2 visa?

Several of the world's largest economies have no E-2 treaty with the United States. Citizens of these countries are not eligible for the E-2 visa based on their nationality alone:

Note on China: only citizens of Taiwan qualify for the E-2 under the treaty administered through the American Institute in Taiwan. Citizens of mainland China (PRC) and Hong Kong do not qualify.

What to do if your country is not an E-2 treaty country

Citizenship is what the E-2 requires, and for many applicants citizenship can change. Three routes are common for citizens of non-treaty countries who still want a U.S. business-based visa.

The first is acquiring citizenship in a treaty country, most often Grenada or Turkey, both of which offer citizenship by investment and both of which hold E-2 treaties. A Grenada or Turkish passport opens the E-2 route even for someone born in India, China, or Brazil. This is a well-established strategy, though it adds cost and a citizenship timeline before the visa application.

The second is the L-1 visa, which moves an executive, manager, or specialized-knowledge employee from a qualifying foreign company to a U.S. office. The L-1 has no treaty country requirement, so it is open to citizens of any country.

The third is the EB-5 immigrant investor program, which leads directly to a green card rather than a temporary visa, again with no treaty country restriction. If you are weighing the two investment routes against each other, our E-2 vs EB-5 comparison breaks down cost, timeline, and outcomes.

Not sure which path fits your nationality and budget? Check your eligibility in two minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Is India eligible for the E-2 visa?

No. India does not have an E-2 treaty with the United States, so Indian citizens cannot apply for the E-2 based on Indian nationality. Common alternatives for Indian nationals are the L-1 visa, the EB-5 immigrant investor green card, and the O-1 visa, or acquiring citizenship in a treaty country such as Grenada.

Is Pakistan eligible for the E-2 visa?

Yes. Pakistan is an E-2 treaty country, with both E-1 and E-2 status in force since February 12, 1961. Pakistani citizens can apply for the E-2 treaty investor visa.

Is China eligible for the E-2 visa?

Only Taiwan. Citizens of Taiwan qualify under the treaty administered through the American Institute in Taiwan. Citizens of mainland China (PRC) and Hong Kong are not eligible for the E-2 visa.

How many countries qualify for the E-2 visa?

As of 2026, 81 countries hold a treaty that confers E-2 treaty investor eligibility. A separate, slightly different list applies to the E-1 treaty trader visa.

Does the E-2 visa depend on where I live or where I was born?

Neither. The E-2 depends on your current country of citizenship. Where you live and where you were born do not determine eligibility, which is why acquiring citizenship in a treaty country is a valid path for applicants from non-treaty nations.

Can I get an E-2 visa through a second passport?

Yes. If you hold citizenship in an E-2 treaty country, you can apply on that nationality even if your other citizenship is in a non-treaty country. The investment and business requirements still apply.