U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday that nationals of Iran will no longer be able to apply for an extension of their E-1 or E-2 status, or change their status to E-1 and E-2.  This applies to any applications filed after October 23, 2019.

These circumstances originate from the termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran, which granted nationals of Iran visas for trade with (E-1) or substantial investments in (E-2) the United States. The United States officially withdrew from this treaty on October 23, 2019.

Iranian nationals, and their dependents, currently in the US in E-1 or E-2 status will be allowed to remain in the country until their current E-1 or E-2 status expires. USCIS will issue Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) to applicants that have pending extensions or change of status to said visa.  Iranian nationals and their family members are eligible to apply for another nonimmigrant visa status.

This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this (unfortunate) development further.