New Zealand Nationals Now Eligible for E-1 & E-2

Starting last Monday, June 10, 2019, USCIS announced that New Zealand nationals can request a change of status to the E-1 nonimmigrant trader classification and E-2 nonimmigrant investor classification. E-1 status allows citizens of specific countries to be admitted to the United States to engage in international trade on their own behalf or on the behalf of a qualifying organization. E-2 status allows citizens of specific countries to be admitted to the U.S. when they invest substantial capital in U.S. businesses. It is also available to employees of qualifying organizations. These classifications are open to citizens of countries that the U.S. has a treaty of commerce and navigation with. They are also open if Congress enacts certain legislation, which is what happened in the case of New Zealand. This legislation is available to the public - it is under Public Law 115-226.

Any Form I-129 or Form I-539 for a New Zealand national requesting a change of status to either of these classifications prior to June 10 will be denied. However, they may now be refiled along with the fee.

For More Information:

Please visit USCIS's web pages on E-1 Treaty Traders and E-2 Treaty Investors to learn more about these classifications.

This blog post does not serve as legal advice and does not establish any client-attorney privilege. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our legal team directly.

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This information comes from a News Release from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA Doc. No. 19061095).