Business Immigration Insights

On May 18, 2018, after receiving a notice from the Government of Ecuador terminating that country’s bilateral investment treaty with the United States, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Trade Representative announced the termination in the Federal Register.  The treaty has been in force since 1997.

Under the treaty’s own terms, Ecuadorean nationals and their dependents will continue to be eligible to apply for or renew E-2 Treaty Investor visas for an additional ten years – until May 18, 2028 – as long as the investment that is the basis for that eligibility was made or acquired on or before the May 18, 2018, termination date.  Ecuadorean nationals who no longer qualify for E-2 visas and seek other routes to live and work lawfully in the United States should consult competent immigration counsel.