E-2 Visa Treaty Countries (2026): The Full List

Reviewed by Talia Harari, Attorney · Updated June 2026 · About 7 min read

The very first thing that determines E-2 eligibility is your nationality. Only citizens of a country that holds a qualifying treaty of commerce with the United States can use the E-2 visa. This guide lists those countries, flags the major ones that do not qualify, and explains your options if your country is not on the list. For the full visa overview, see our complete E-2 guide.

What is an E-2 treaty country?

An E-2 treaty country is a nation that has a treaty of commerce and navigation, or a qualifying equivalent agreement, with the United States. About 80 countries qualify. Your business must also share your treaty nationality, meaning owners from your treaty country must hold at least 50 percent of it.

The full list of E-2 treaty countries

Here are the countries whose citizens can generally apply for the E-2 visa. A few qualify only for the E-1 (trader) category, and the list can change, so always confirm on the official U.S. Department of State Treaty Countries list.

Countries that do not qualify

Some of the world’s largest economies are not E-2 treaty countries, which surprises many applicants. The most notable are:

• India
• China (mainland)
• Brazil
• Russia
• Vietnam

If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you cannot use the E-2 directly, but you may still have a path.

What if your country has no treaty?

The most common workaround is to obtain citizenship in a treaty country, often through a citizenship-by-investment program such as Grenada or Turkey, and then apply for the E-2 on that passport. You generally must have held the second citizenship for at least three years and be domiciled there. This is a real strategy, but it adds cost and time, so it is worth discussing with an attorney first.

How to confirm your eligibility

Check your nationality against the official State Department list, then confirm you meet the rest of the E-2 requirements, from the substantial investment to the active business. If both line up, your odds are strong, the E-2 has roughly a 90 percent approval rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is my country an E-2 treaty country?

Around 80 countries qualify. Major ones include Japan, Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Mexico, and Spain. Some countries qualify only for the related E-1 visa, so always confirm on the official U.S. Department of State list.

Why are India and China not E-2 treaty countries?

The E-2 requires a qualifying treaty of commerce between the U.S. and your country, and the U.S. does not have one with India, China, Brazil, Russia, or Vietnam. Citizens of those countries cannot use the E-2 directly.

Can I get an E-2 visa if my country has no treaty?

Sometimes. Some applicants obtain citizenship in a treaty country, including through citizenship-by-investment programs such as Grenada or Turkey, and then apply. You generally must have held that citizenship for at least three years.

Does the treaty country have to match my business?

Your nationality and the nationality of the business must both be from the same treaty country. The business is considered to have the nationality of the owners who hold at least 50 percent of it.

Where is the official list of E-2 treaty countries?

The authoritative, current list is published by the U.S. Department of State on its Treaty Countries page. Because the list can change, confirm there before you rely on it.

Written by Leanne S.

Leanne leads content at IAVRS, where she turns complex U.S. visa rules into clear, current guidance. Reviewed for legal accuracy by Talia Harari, Attorney.

IAVRS is an immigration attorney matching service, not a law firm. This guide is general information, not legal advice, and the treaty list can change. For advice on your specific case, we will match you with a licensed U.S. immigration attorney.