To qualify for an E-1 visa, you must be a national of a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation; carry on substantial trade; and continue principal trade between the U.S. and the treaty country.
The E-2 visa allows an investor to live and do business in the US in exchange for a “significant investment” made to the country’s economy. Each of these countries has signed different agreements (or bilateral treaties) with the US. Not all countries have an E-1 or E-2 treaty with the U.S. The amount of time you can stay on an E-2 visa varies by the reciprocity schedule. Whether or not you can renew your visa and how many times you can do so will also depend.
Having a skilled attorney who can guide you through which visa is available to the business owner and to ensure that needed employees may also receive work visas in the U.S is extremely valuable.