The E category is for a class of temporary (nonimmigrant) workers. E workers are entitled to US work permission in two-year blocks, renewable indefinitely.

There are two sub-types of Es. An E-1 is a treaty trader, coming to the US to carry out substantial trade (this can include services) principally between the US and the foreign country of which he or she is a national. An E-2 is a treaty investor, coming to develop and direct the operations in which he or she has invested. For both sub-types, the qualifying workers are limited to those who will engage in duties of an executive or supervisory character, or, if employed in a lesser capacity, the worker has special qualifications that make the services to be rendered essential to the efficient operation of the enterprise.

The E category is available only when there is a qualifying treaty between the US and the particular country. The business must be owned at least fifty percent by nationals of that treaty country, and the worker to be transferred to the US must be a national of that same treaty country.