The Calgary Consulate General has introduced E-visa processing services for Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor applications from businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. The E-visa process is designed to make it easier and faster for executives, supervisors and skilled employees in this region to travel to the U.S. for trade and investment activities.
The Treaty Trader (E-1) visa is for individuals entering the U.S. to carry out substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the U.S. and Canada. The Treaty Investor (E-2) visa is for individuals entering the U.S. to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested, or is in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital.
“The Consulate is very pleased to be able to introduce E-visa processing for businesses in the region,” says U.S. Consul General Peter Kujawinski. “E-visas are the newest of several visa categories we process to facilitate cross-border trade and investment activities as well as labor mobility to support the already extensive and robust economic relationship that benefits both our countries. E-visas, along with Department of Commerce programs such as SelectUSA are designed to encourage Canadian businesses to tap into the many economic opportunities the Unites States offers.”
The U.S. Consulate General Calgary has also implemented procedures to streamline the E-visa application process in order to encourage more cross-border trade and investment. First-time E- visa applicants can schedule a visa appointment in as few as 10 business days. Employees of registered E-visa enterprises and dependents of E-visa holders can schedule appointments as early as the next business day and only need to provide minimal documentation at the time of their visa interview. Qualified E-visa applicants generally receive a visa in three to five business days after the interview.
E-visa processing is also available at the U.S. Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver to serve businesses in their regions of Canada.