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Visas to the U.S.
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Visa Services
Other specialized visas - "E" Treaty Trader/Treaty
Investor Visas
Mexican nationals are eligible for Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor Non-Immigrant Visas.
Applicants for the Treaty Trader visa (the E-1 Visa) must be engaged in existing, substantial international exchange of goods or services.
Applicants for the Treaty Investor visas (the E-2 Visa) must be actively involved in a substantial commercial enterprise.
Spouse and children of both Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors are also eligible for the same type of visas as the sponsoring family member.
Treaty Trader/TreatY Investor Visa Requirements
The requirements for a Treaty Trader (E-1) Non-Immigrant Visa are:
- The applicant must be a national of Mexico or another treaty country.
- If an employee, the applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the successful and efficient operation of the commercial enterprise. Ordinarily, skilled or unskilled workers generally do not qualify.
- The trading firm for which the applicant is coming to the United States must have the nationality of the treaty country (in this case, Mexico).
- The international trade must be “substantial” in the sense that there is a sizable and continuous volume of trade.
- The trade must be principally between the United States and Mexico (more than 50% of all international trade involved must be between the U.S. and Mexico).
- Trade means the international exchange of goods, services, and technology. The item of trade and title of that item must pass from one party to the other in exchange for consideration.
- The applicant must intend to depart the United States when his or her E-1 status terminates.
The requirements for a Treaty Investor (E-2) Non-Immigrant Visa are:
- The investor, either a real or corporate person, must be a national of Mexico or another treaty country.
- The investor must be coming to the United States solely to develop and direct the enterprise. If the applicant is not the principal investor, the applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the successful and efficient operation of the commercial enterprise. Ordinarily, skilled or unskilled workers generally do not qualify.
- The investment must be substantial. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise. The percentage in investment required for a low-cost business enterprise is generally higher than the percentage of investment required for a high-cost enterprise.
- The investment must be in a real operating commercial enterprise. Speculative or idle investments do not qualify. Uncommitted funds in a bank account are not considered an investment.
- The investment may not be marginal. It must have the capacity to generate significantly more income than just enough to provide a living to the investor and his or her family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United States.
- The investor must have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans secured with the assets of the investment enterprise are not considered to be at risk.
- The applicant must intend to depart the United States when his or her E-2 status terminates.
Please visit the Department of State internet site at www.travel.state.gov to review the legal requirements for this visa application type.
How to Apply for an E-Visa
All Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor visa applicants over the age of six must appear for a personal interview at the consular section at the U.S. Embassy. (See "How to apply" to find out how to get an appointment for an interview.) As part of the visa interview, a quick, ten-digit, ink-free fingerprint scan and digital photo are taken. Some visa applications may require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a consular officer.
The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa applications are strongly encouraged. Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico are available on our website at Visa Wait Times.
E-Visa applicants must fill out the following forms on the Internet before coming to Embassy:
- DS-156 (for all applicants);
- DS-156E (for the principal applicant); and
- DS-157 (for any male applicants, ages 16 to 45).
All applicants must also bring a receipt for the PESO EQUIVALENT of $131 USD from Banamex per applicant.
Other ORIGINAL documents to bring for the interview include:
- Valid passport with available empty pages;
- Original birth certificates for any children applying;
- Original marriage certificate; and
- Any other supporting documents the applicant feels are necessary.
Questions about E-Visas
Any questions about E-Visas should be directed to MexicoCityEVisas@state.gov
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Other
specialized visas