We have created this page to provide you with all the information you need to contact the US Embassy in Italy as it relates to filing for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa or an E-1 Treaty Trader Visa. This page is designed not only to help you find out who to contact at the US Embassy in Italy, but we have also provided other interesting facts about the E2 and E1 visa and the special economic relationship the U.S. has with Italy.

United States Embassy Italy

The following graphic includes the address where you will need to go for your interview prior to receiving your E-2 or E-1 Visa, and the specific email address you can use should you wish to communicate directly with the US Embassy in Rome, Italy. It also includes the Italian telephone number if calling directly from within Italy and U.S. number if calling from within the continental U.S. These phone numbers can be used to arrange payment of fees and schedule an appointment with the US Embassy in Rome.

E-Visa Italy

Rome is one of the most iconic and densely populated Cities in Italy, with a population of over 2.85 million people. The Consular section of the United States Embassy in Rome specializes in the processing of E-2 and E-1 Visa cases and will provide you with information and guidance on what is needed for your application. You can file your visa application through the Embassy directly, and if you have any queries or problems with the E-Visa application process you can contact the US Embassy Rome using the details provided on this page.

Relationship between the US and Italy

The United States has a friendly relationship with Italy that has been ongoing since 1840. The United States has had diplomatic representation in the nation of Italy and its predecessor nation, the Kingdom of Sardinia. However, during the war between 1941-1943, both nations relationship was put on hold. After their differences were resolved, both Countries continued their positive relationship as normal.

After World War II, Italy became a strong and active transatlantic partner which, along with the United States, fosters democratic ideals and international cooperation in areas of strife and civil conflict. Toward this end, the Italian government has cooperated with the United States in the formulation of defense, security, and peacekeeping policies.

Italy & U.S. Economic Relationship

The United States and Italy cooperate closely on major economic issues, including The Group of Seven (G-7). The United States is one of Italy’s most important trade partners, with two-way trade totaling over $68 billion in recent years. As a member of the European Union (EU), Italy is bound by EU treaties and laws, including those directly governing or indirectly impacting business investments.

U.S. investments in Italy are focused on the manufacturing industry (in particular chemical, mechanical, computer and electronics). U.S. investments in Italy are also in the service sector and include banking, finance, insurance, telecommunications, and information technology.

Italian investments in the U.S. are focused on the retail sector (textiles/clothing), mechanical engineering, automotive, logistics, and aerospace.

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the E-1 and E-2 Visas

1. What type of Visa category are the E2 and E1?

Both categories are non-immigrant visas which means they are not a pathway to obtaining permanent residency or citizenship in the U.S.

2. What do they allow?

The E-1 treaty trader visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals of a treaty nation to work in the U.S. and carry out substantial trade between Italy and the U.S. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows the Visa holder to enter the United States and work there (for a temporary renewable period) after having invested a substantial amount of capital in a commercial U.S. business.

3. How long can you stay on an E visa?

The maximum length for which an E-1 or E-2 visa can be issued to a citizen of Italy is 5 years. However, it is at the sole discretion of the visa officer deciding the case. In some cases, the Consular officer dealing with the EVisa applications will issue the E-1 or E-2 Visa for 2 years.

4. Who can apply for these Visas?

Nationals of the Countries listed in our extensive E2 Visa Treaty Countries list.

5. What are the advantages of the E visa over other visa categories?

Most other visas available are for a fixed period and have limited renewal rights. The E-2 and E-1 visas are generally renewable indefinitely providing the Visa applicant still qualifies at the time of renewal. The eligibility criteria may be easier to establish under this visa category when compared to an H-1B visa (which requires active US employer sponsorship and other stringent requirements) or O visa (that requires proof of exceptional talent and ability in the arts, sciences, etc.).

E2 Visa Approval Rates Italy

The graph below displays the latest 5-year summary of E2 visa approval rates for nationals of Italy. It shows the number of E2 visas issued per year from 2015 to 2019, providing the percentage increase or decrease in the number of E2 visa approvals per year for Italy. The E2 treaty investor visa is an extremely popular non-immigrant visa for Italian nationals that wish to move to the United States as reflected in the following graph. For an E2 visa application to stand the best chance of success, a comprehensive 5-year E2 visa business plan must be submitted with your application.

For more E2 visa approval rate graphs on various other countries qualifying for the E2 visa, check out our E2 treaty countries page.

When the E-2 and E-1 Visas became available for Italian Nationals

On July 26, 1949, the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa and the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa became available for Italian nationals. This allows Italian citizens to capitalize on the many opportunities that the United States has to offer. Thousands of entrepreneurs and investors have started businesses in the U.S., while others have purchased businesses and franchises. This has provided Italian nationals with a better quality of life and has boosted the United States economy and created numerous jobs for U.S. workers.

What the E-2 Visa does for Italian Nationals

The nation of Italy has a treaty with the U.S. which grants Italian nationals the opportunity to obtain E-2 visas. The E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that is issued for a maximum of 5 years (60 months). It is quite typical for an E-2 visa to be issued for 2 years (not 5), and for nationals of Italy, assuming you still qualify, you can renew the E-2 visa indefinitely. All E-2 visa applications must be submitted with a comprehensive 5-year business plan. The E2 Visa Business Plan must include financial projections, a market and industry analysis, competitor analysis, an executive summary, a 5-year hiring plan, and much more.

The 5-step process when applying for your E-Visa

Step 1

Complete Form DS-160 and upload photos (your photo must meet the photograph requirements).

Step 2

Create a user account and pay the visa fee and schedule a consular appointment interview.

Step 3

Within two days after scheduling the appointment interview, submit the supporting documents to the Embassy by email to: RomeEvisas@state.gov using one of the required formats.

Step 4

You will have to attend the interview at the Embassy and take your complete (printed) E visa application package with you.

Step 5

The embassy will keep your passport during processing and will deliver your passport, visa, and documents to you using the method you selected when registering for your visa appointment. Note – processing time usually tends to take around 3-5 working days, at which time you will be contacted by the Embassy.

Embassy contact information

JDC Consultancy Client Review – US Embassy in Rome

Working with Jason Coles throughout the whole process of creating my business plan was an absolute pleasure. He was extremely patient and took the time to completely understand my business, and how I intended to set it up and expand it in the United States. He is a very detail orientated person, and I was impressed with the meticulous way in which my business plan was prepared, updated, and then handed over to me in its final form.

 

My financial projections were quite detailed, and Jason really got a good handle on them and produced some excellent 5 year financial forecasts. I strongly believe that the professional business plan created by Jason Coles and JDC Consultancy has been a key part in the business visa process and I am sure the Italian Embassy officers who went through our papers were equally impressed by it. On the basis that we have successfully obtained our E2 Visa for five years, I am sure they were!!

 

Thank you very much for your hard work and efforts, it is much appreciated and gave us the desired outcome we were looking for!

 

Antonio Azcarate
Formerly from Italy, relocated to Los Angeles, CA