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Visa Types

Treaty Trader / Investor

The United States maintains bilateral treaties with a number of countries to facilitate economic and commercial interaction, and Slovenia is one of those countries.  For the full list of these countries, please see the Department of State's web site.

Slovene E-1 treaty traders and E-2 treaty investors are those who wish to travel to the United States to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and Slovenia; or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the travelers have invested; or who are in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in the United States.
Slovene Citizenship is required for treaty trader/investor applicants.

Please note that neither of these visas is a substitute for an immigrant visa. Persons wishing to remain indefinitely in the U.S. should apply for the appropriate immigrant visa.

Treaty Trader (E-1)

  • The applicant must be a national of a treaty country;
  • The trading firm for which the applicant is coming to the U.S. must have the nationality of the treaty country;
  • The international trade must be "substantial" in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing volume of trade;
  • The trade must be principally between the U.S. and the treaty country, which is defined to mean that more than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and the country of the applicant's nationality;
  • The applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm. Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify. and
  • The applicant intends to depart the United States when the E-1 status terminates.

Treaty Investor (E-2)

  • The investor, either a real or corporate person, must be a national of a treaty country;
  • The applicant has invested or is in the process of investing;
  • The investor must have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans secured with assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed;
  • The investment must be a real operating enterprise. Speculative or idle investment does not qualify. Uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security are not considered an investment;
  • The investment must be substantial. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise. The percentage of investment for a low-cost business enterprise must be higher than the percentage of investment in a high-cost enterprise;
  • The investment may not be marginal. It must generate significantly more income than just to provide a living to the investor and family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United States;
  • The applicant is in a position to "develop and direct" the enterprise;
  • If the applicant is not the principal investor, then he or she must be employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity. Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify. and
  • The applicant intends to depart the United States when the E-2 status terminates.

Spouses, Children, and Partners

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require derivative E visas. If applying separately from the principal, a copy of the marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s) for the child(ren) will be required. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas, or if qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

More information for unmarried partners and common-law spouses.

E visa versus F-1

There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of an E visa holder apply for a student (F-1) visa if they wish to study in the U.S.

Working on an E visa

As a result of a recent change in the law, spouses of E visa holders may seek employment authorization on derivative E visas. For further information, please contact the USCIS on your arrival in the United States.

Time Limits

Holders of E visas may reside in the United States until their visas expire, provided that they continue to work for the same employer.

Documents Required for E-1 or E-2:

  • A completed Form DS-156E on behalf of the principal applicant. Contact information must include an e-mail address.

  • A photocopy of the principal applicant's passport, including photocopies of any U.S. visas held by the applicant, regardless of validity.

  • Cover letter describing the enterprise and the beneficiary, enclosing proof that the applicant and the enterprise meet all requirements for E-1 or E-2 visa eligibility as noted above.

  • Proof that the applicant permanently resides in Slovenia, such as payment of taxes or ownership of a primary residence.

Please note that we can give no assurances in advance regarding the issuance of visas. Therefore, please do not make final travel plans or purchase nonrefundable tickets until a visa has been issued.