The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that citizens of Iran will no longer be eligible for E-1 or E-2 visas. The move comes following the October 3, 2018 termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran. Without a qualifying treaty of commerce between Iran and the United States, there is no basis for the issuance of the E visa, as the category is dependent on a qualifying treaty.
The announcement will impact extensions of the E visa held by Iranian citizens, as well as applications made after October 3, 2018. It does not prevent Iranian nationals from seeking another immigrant or nonimmigrant classification under U.S. immigration law. For more information, view the USCIS announcement here.
