Iranian Nationals No Longer E1/E2 Eligible

On January 22, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Iranian nationals are no longer for E1 treaty trader and E2 treaty investor classification [PDF version]. The USCIS's announcement comes as a result of the United States' termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran on October 3, 2018.

The USCIS also released the notice it will publish in the Federal Register [PDF version].

Iranian nationals in the United States who are currently maintaining E1 treaty trader or E2 treaty investor status will be able to lawfully remain in the United States until their status expires. They will not, however, be able to extend their stay in E1 or E2 status. Iranian nationals maintaining E1 or E2 status in the United States will thus be required to depart upon the expiration of such status unless they have some other lawful basis for remaining in the United States. For example, an Iranian national maintaining E1 or E2 status may seek to procure a change of status to a different nonimmigrant status or pursue an immigrant visa.

Iranian nationals maintaining E1 or E2 status who intend to pursue legal basis for remaining in the United States after the expiration of their E1 or E2 status should consult with an experienced immigration attorney immediately for case-specific guidance.