The U.S. Embassy in Israel has confirmed that Israeli citizens will be eligible for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa effective May 1, 2019.  This development opens new possibilities for Israel’s robust start-up culture. Known as the “Start-Up Nation,” Israel has one start-up for every 1,400 people and has the largest per capita number of start-ups of any country. Israel also has “Silicon Wadi,” which is its own Silicon Valley. With the E-2 visa, Israeli entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to obtain US visas to actively oversee their investments in the United States.  

In order to qualify, an Israeli national or company needs to invest a “substantial amount of capital” in a “real and operating enterprise” in the United States of which they have at least 50% ownership.  The E-2 visa allows them to enter the US and live here while they direct and develop the business or to send Israeli employees with specialized skills to work for the E-2 entity. The E-2 visa is valid for five years and renewable indefinitely.

This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further.