S 921: A bill to allow otherwise eligible Israeli nationals to receive E-2 nonimmigrant visas if similarly situated United States nationals are eligible for similar nonimmigrant status in Israel.

Congress: 112 · Status: active · Israel/Palestine classification: pro-Israel

Data (JSON) — machine-readable record of this bill (identifiers, sponsor, classification, actions, and the member-by-member vote breakdown).

Official record on Congress.gov — full text, actions, and cosponsor history for S 921.

Sponsor: Schumer, Charles E. (D-New York)

Summary

Makes Israeli nationals eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors as provided for under the Immigration and Nationality Act if Israel provides reciprocal nonimmigrant treatment to U.S. nationals.

Editorial Explainer

This bill would allow Israeli citizens to get E-2 investor and trader visas to work in the U.S., as long as Israel grants the same visa privileges to American citizens. E-2 visas typically require $100,000+ investment and let foreign nationals live and work in the U.S. for renewable periods.

Why it matters

Israel is currently ineligible for E-2 visa reciprocity. This bill would upgrade Israel's immigration status relative to other countries, making it easier for Israeli investors and business people to establish themselves in the U.S. economy — a form of preferential trade and investment treatment with Congress approval.

Cosponsors (2)