THE E-2 NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, also known as an E2 Visa, is a temporary U.S. working visa. The E-2 immigration visa allows investors with citizenship from a Treaty country to set up a new U.S. business, or invest in an existing U.S. business. Once the E-2 Visa is approved, the investor will have the right to live in the U.S. with their spouse and any children under 21 years old.
The E-2 investor Visa also allows an investor to send employees from their own country to work as senior managers / specialists in the investor’s E-2 business.
Whilst there is no official minimum or maximum investment amount to meet the ‘substantial investment requirement,’ it is generally advised that the investment into the U.S. business should be at least $150,000.
The E-2 visa initially lasts for 2 years (some countries up to 5 years), and can be extended indefinitely.
E2 VISA BENEFITS
- Fast route to U.S. – E-2 Visa Approval takes between 2-4 months
- The minimum investment recommended is typically $150,000
- Low-cost investment into your own business, or an existing business
- S. Visa for Investor, Spouse and Children under 21
- Spouse has the right to work In the U.S.
- Children have the right to study in the U.S.
- Existing businesses available for investment (please ask us about availability)
- Can include employees from the home country under the E-2 Visa
Please note, the E-2 program is a working visa, not a Green Card. If your objective is to become a U.S. Green Card holder or U.S. Citizen, please ask us about the EB-5 Investor Program.
E-2 INVESTOR VISA REQUIREMENTS
While the E-2 visa offers extraordinary flexibility for foreign entrepreneurs and carries no minimum dollar investment threshold to qualify, there are some important qualifying criteria and limitations which need to be carefully considered.
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- The Investor must be a citizen of an approved E-2 treaty country (please see here for list)
- The Investor must have invested, or be in the process of investing in a U.S. business
- The Investment must be ‘substantial’
INVESTMENT REQUIRED
PROCESSING MONTHS
E-2 VISAS ISSUED IN 2020
APPROVAL RATING
E-2 VISA PROCESS
Step 1 – Consultation with Residency Invest Specialist
Our E-2 Visa specialist will first determine if you are eligible to apply for E-2, based on your country of Citizenship. If you are not eligible we can discuss applying for an Eligible citizenship first (Turkey or Grenada).
Step 2 – Choose Investment Route
Our E-2 Visa specialist will help you determine the best investment type, either existing U.S. business or new U.S. business.
Step 3 – Document collation and Business Plan
Our team will assist you in gathering the required documentation for the E-2 Visa application, as well as the preparation of the business plan for your proposed investment. We will also assist you in setting the business up if needed.
Step 4 – File DS-160 Application
Your E-2 application is filed at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country or country of Residence. Prepare for interview. The approval usually takes 2-4 months.
Step 5 – Enter U.S. on E-2 Visa
After the interview at the U.S. Consulate, you will be given a visa to travel to the U.S. Your initial E-2 Visa will last for 2 years.
Step 6 – Extend E-2 Visa
If you wish to stay in the U.S., you can apply for an extension every 2 years, as long as your business is still operational.
LIST OF TREATY COUNTRIES
If you are a citizen of one of the below countries, you would be eligible to apply for an E-2 Visa. If you are not currently a citizen of one of the below countries, you can become eligible by first applying for the Turkey or Grenada citizenship program.
Albania | Cameroon | Estonia | Japan | Moldova | Romania | Trinidad & Tobago |
Argentina | Canada | Ethiopia | Jordan | Mongolia | Serbia | Tunisia |
Armenia | Chile | Finland | Kazakhstan | Montenegro | Senegal | Turkey |
Australia | China (Taiwan) | France | South Korea | Morocco | Singapore | Ukraine |
Austria | Colombia | Georgia | Kosovo | Netherlands | Slovenia | United Kingdom |
Azerbaijan | Congo | Germany | Kyrgyzstan | Norway | Spain | Yugoslavia |
Bahrain | Costa Rica | Grenada | Latvia | Oman | Sri Lanka | |
Bangladesh | Croatia | Honduras | Liberia | Pakistan | Suriname | |
Belgium | Czech Republic | Iran | Lithuania | Panama | Sweden | |
Bolivia | Denmark | Ireland | Luxembourg | Paraguay | Switzerland | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Ecuador | Italy | Macedonia | Philippines | Thailand | |
Bulgaria | Egypt | Jamaica | Mexico | Poland | Togo |