USCIS has announced that Iranian nationals are no longer eligible for E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor changes or extensions of status based on the treaty. This is a result of the U.S. termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran.

The E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visa classifications allow aliens of a treaty country to be admitted to the U.S. for the purposes of engaging in international trade or investing a substantial amount of capital into a U.S. business.

E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas are based on trade and investment treaties or specific legislation providing for reciprocal treatment of the respective countries’ nationals. The existence of a qualifying treaty or authorizing legislation is therefore a threshold requirement for issuing an E visa.

What to Expect

USCIS will send Notices of Intent to Deny to affected applicants who filed applications after the Department of State’s announcement of termination on Oct. 3, 2018. Iranians currently holding and properly maintaining E-1 or E-2 status may remain in the U.S. until their current status expires.