President Trump’s June 22, 2020 proclamation extended the immigration ban to include certain non-immigrant visa categories. The ban includes temporary restrictions on H-1B, L-1, and J-1 visas and is currently in place until the end of the year. For a summary of the ban, read here.
What categories of visas are not covered by the ban?
It is important to note that there are several work visas that are not included in the ban. Many of the visas, such as E-1, E-2, E-3, TN and H-1B1 visas, are based on treaties. Others, such as O-1 visas, for individuals of extraordinary ability, are left untouched, presumably to retain American competitiveness for the leaders in their respective fields. In addition, this Proclamation does not apply to F-1 students and B visitors.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is not included
If you were previously considering an L-1 visa for establishing a new office in the U.S., E-2 Treaty Investor visa may be a viable alternative for you. To qualify for an E-2, you must be a citizen or national of country which has a bilateral treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S. Read here more about the E-2 Treaty Investor visa.
Benefits of the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
- Relatively low investment expectations
- Ability to travel freely to and from the United States
- Ability for a spouse to work in the US
- Option to purchase franchise businesses
- Potential to transition to Green Card through EB-1C or EB-5*
- Renewable indefinitely
The E-2 Visa allows a person to bring their family to the United States for the purposes of acquiring or starting up a business.
If you have been affected by the proclamation, we recommend you contact us to discuss your specific circumstances. Please also contact us before traveling outside the United States.