Family members of the E visa holder

Included in this category is the spouse of the visa holder, as well as minor unmarried children under the age of 21. All are entitled to E2 visas and to remain in the United States for the duration of stay of the principal investor. However, once children reach the age of 21 or get married, they are no longer eligible to remain in the United States in E status.

Spousal employment authorization. Recent law changes permit for work authorization for spouses of E-2 treaty investor principals. This changes the past rules whereby spouses of E-2 principals were not permitted to work. The recent law changes apply to only the spouses of E principal non-immigrants and employees. Children under 21 are not eligible for work authorization.

Spouses seeking employment authorization must apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) from their local USCIS service Center. that has jurisdiction over the dependent spouse’s place of residence.  The spouse can­not begin working until the EAD is received.