The maximum length for which an E-1 or E-2 visa can be issued to a citizen of the United Kingdom is 5 years. However, whether or not to issue for that length of time is solely the judgment of the consular officer deciding the case. In London, we typically issue the first E-1 or E-2 for three years. We do so because most of the businesses we see are relatively small and small businesses are volatile and often do not succeed. If we renew an E-1 or E-2 visa, we generally do so for the maximum five years although not always. In the case of large companies with high turnover and employing many U.S. citizens, we sometimes issue the first visas for five years.