Adobe PDF Reader
If you do not have Adobe Reader, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Visas
Non-Immigrant Visas
E-Visa Information
Applying for E Visas
Applicants for visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Processing E Visas takes a few weeks because the information and documents submitted with Form DS-156E must be reviewed. Please contact us at tggniv@state.gov for our schedule to receive forms DS-156E (available here or at our offices) and the corresponding documentation.
Each applicant for the visa must pay a nonrefundable US$131 application fee. (If your payment is in dollars, you will be charged an additional amount based on the exchange rate). You may pay the Consular fee at Banco Atlántida (provide a passport with a minimum six-months' validity remaining).
You must submit:
- The receipt for payment of the US$131 or it’s equivalent in Lempiras) visa processing fee (Banco Atlántida receipt or receipt issued at our offices)
- An application Form DS-156E.
- Application form DS-156 in the electronic format
- A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States;
- A 2x2 photograph taken with a white background, no glasses;
- All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must complete and submit a form DS-157 (PDF - 128K).
Presenting the following documentation is recommended:
- Evidence that the trading enterprise or investment enterprise meets the requirements of the law.
- Evidence that illustrates that the stay in the U.S. will be temporary.
Since May 17, 2007, we have our Call Center available, and it is through them that you can obtain an appointment. Your appointment fee is US$131, which can be paid at any Banco Atlantida branch. Also you pay an additional fee of US$13, and you will obtain a PIN number to be used with our Call Center and they will give you your appointment date.
Family Members
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, may receive derivative E visas in order to accompany the principal alien.
Spouses are only allowed to work with permission from the Department of Homeland Security. Other dependents are not authorized to work in the United States.
Applying for E-Visas for Family Members
Submit:
- The receipt for payment of the US$131 visa processing fee (Banco Atlántida receipt or receipt issued at our offices) for each applicant. (If your payment is in dollars, you will be charged an additional amount based on the exchange rate).
- A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States;
- A 2x2 photograph taken with a white background, no glasses;
- All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must complete and submit a form DS-157 (PDF - 128K).
- Proof of relationship with main applicant (spouses – marriage certificate, children – birth certificates)
Allowed Stay in the United States with E Visas
Holders of E visas may reside in the United States as long as they continue to maintain their status with the enterprise.
Entering the United States with an E Visa
Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The U.S. Directorate of Border and Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security has authority to deny admission. Also, the period for which the bearer of a treaty trader or investor visa is authorized to remain in the United States is determined by the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security, not the consular officer. At the port of entry, a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security official validates Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted. Those persons who wish to stay beyond the time indicated on their Form I-94 must contact the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security to request Form I-539, Application to Extend Status. The decision to grant or deny a request for extension of stay is made solely by the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security.
Form DS-156E
This form DS-156E, together with Form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, constitutes the application for an E-1 Treaty Trader or E-2 Treaty Investor Nonimmigrant Visa.
All first-time applicants seeking Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor status must complete Parts I and II. Parts I and II must be updated periodically. All individual applicants must complete Part III and Form DS-156. You must answer all relevant questions. Enter "Not applicable" where appropriate. If an enterprise is not yet fully operational, estimates and projections should be made concerning potential income, job creation, volume of sales, etc.
Supporting documents to Form DS-156 E and how they should be submitted
Supporting documents should be submitted in a binder with a table of contents and tabs. The following are examples of supporting documentation that should be attached to first-time applications (not every type of document is applicable in each case; the consular officer may request additional information if required):
- Evidence of possession and control of investment funds (bank records, financial statements, personally secured loans, savings, promissory notes, etc.);
- Evidence of remittance to the United States (bank drafts, transfers, exchange permits, receipts, etc.);
- Evidence of establishment of business in the United States (articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, organization and staffing charts, shares, titles, contracts, receipts, licenses, leases, etc.);
- Evidence of the nationality of the investors/traders and their percentage share of company ownership/holdings (passports, articles of incorporation of parent company, stock exchange listings, etc.);
- Evidence of trade between the United States and the treaty country (invoices, bills of lading, customs clearances, warehouse receipts, shipping receipts, sales receipts, contracts, etc.);
- Evidence of investment in the United States (titles, receipts, contracts, loans, bank statements, etc.);
- Evidence of substantiality (financial statements, audits, U.S. corporate or business tax returns, etc.);
- Evidence that the enterprise is not marginal (payroll records, IRS Form 941, personal tax returns, evidence of other personal assets and income);
- Evidence that the business is a real, operating enterprise (annual reports, catalogs, sales literature, news articles, federal and/or state corporate income tax returns, and other evidence as appropriate);
- Curriculum vitae of the proposed visa recipients under the business or enterprise.