On Wednesday August 1, 2018, President Trump signed into law S. 2245, the Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors Act (KIWI Act), thereby granting E-1 and E-2 visa status to certain New Zealand applicants and provides for reciprocal treatment of U.S. nationals. This will allow New Zealand nationals the opportunity to pursue E-1 trade and E-2 investment in the United States, a benefit long enjoyed by neighboring Australians. The E-1 and E-2 visa will offer New Zealanders enhanced access to facilitate overseas business and investment in the United States which is believed will strongly benefit the economies of both countries.
Please note that the KIWI Act has not been implemented at the moment as of November 19, 2018. The Consulate in New Zealand states that they are currently working on implementing the act with the U.S. government and more information about the application process will be announced when it is fully implemented.
There are already many New Zealand companies in the U.S., just as there are many of U.S. companies in New Zealand. In 2016, the two countries engaged in approximately $12 billion of bilateral trade in goods and services; and the U.S. is already the second most popular destination for New Zealand foreign investment, accounting for 17% of all foreign investment by New Zealanders in 2016, for a total of $3.2 billion dollars. Bringing New Zealand into the E-1 and E-2 programs will increase trade and bilateral investment flows, helping both of countries accelerate economic growth and job creation. To learn more about the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa, please click here. To learn more about the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, please click here.
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Hullo, Still waiting to find out when the E-2 Visa will be made effective for New Zealanders wanting to work/or continue to work in the United States. Is there any update on the status of this new Visa?
Many thanks
Nanette August
This has not been finalized yet. The State Department will announce once final.
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you
Hi,
Do you have to be living in NZ when applying for this visa or you can submit application from Australia if you have NZ passport?
You can usually apply where you live.
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you
Has the E2 treaty with NZ been ratified yet please?
There is still some finalization that has to be done. You should continue to check the Consular website in NZ.
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you
What the minimum investment require? Can buy any existing business in USA?
Usually around $100K but it can be less depending on the business and the facts.
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you
Nz still not showing on the list … can we apply now? tks
We believe the answer is yes but have not applied yet there so would need to investigate.
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you
Hi,
New Zealand is not in the list of treaty country yet up to today : https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/treaty.html.
Did I or they miss something?
Thanks,
Joe
Hello,
It has recently been added but they perhaps have not updated the website yet. It was recently added so the Government may still be sorting things out. Kind regards,
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you
Hi
E2 visa, is available to apply now for New Zealanders ?
Thanks
RJ Mahajan
Yes. This is new and NZ is a Treaty Country.
E-2 visas for New Zealand nationals are now available starting from June 10, 2019. If you are interested in applying for the visa, please set up a consultation with us using the “Set Up a Consultation” button to discuss your application. Thank you