On June 10, 2019, citizens of New Zealand became eligible to seek E1 treaty trader visas and E2 treaty investor visas in the United States. The law authorizing E1 and E2 visas for nationals of New Zealand was passed approved by Congress in 2018 [PDF version].
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in New Zealand noted that nationals of New Zealand abroad may apply for E1 and E2 visas with the U.S. Department of State beginning on June 10, 2019 [PDF version]. The Embassy also posted a video from the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, Scott Brown, on the exciting news:
Separately, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) noted that certain nationals of New Zealand who are present in the United States in lawful nonimmigrant status may apply for change of nonimmigrant status to E1 or E2 starting on June 10, 2019 [PDF version]. An application for change of status is filed on the Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
The announcement that nationals of New Zealand are now eligible for E1 and E2 nonimmigrant visas follows a recent opening of the E2 category to Israeli nationals [see article]. A New Zealand national who is interested in the potential opportunities offered by the E1 and E2 nonimmigrant visas categories should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to learn about the visa requirements and whether he or she may be eligible for one of these types of nonimmigrant visas.
We discuss the E1 and E2 categories and related nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories in our website’s sections on Work Visas [see category] and Investment Immigration [see category].
