On May 1, 2019, Israel became the latest
country whose citizens can qualify
for the United States E-2 visa. The United States is the only major country that experiences a net
inflow of Israeli nationals.
2020 was the first full year in which E-2 visas were available to Israeli nationals.
As Israeli businesses grow their market share of the lucrative U.S. market and
Israeli entrepreneurs continue to access the U.S. market, we anticipate a rapid
rise in Israeli E-2 visa applications.
In recent years, Israel has emerged as a dynamic entrepreneurial hub, with over a thousand startups created annually and a leading position in global innovation, attracting U.S. investors and fostering a mutually beneficial economic relationship.
Israeli entrepreneurs have contributed to various sectors, from creating popular applications like Viber to pioneering life-saving innovations like Zebra Medical Vision's early breast cancer detection algorithm.
As the Israeli entrepreneurial landscape continues to expand globally, many entrepreneurs aspire to enter the diverse and competitive U.S. market. The E-2 visa in Israel offers them a gateway to success.
This visa generally has a higher approval rate compared to other visa categories, in contrast to other visas with more stringent requirements and lower approval rates. Notably, the number of E-2 visas issued has been steadily increasing since 2018.
With Israel's recent inclusion as an active E-2 treaty country, Israeli entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to tap into the advantages of the E-2 visa. Even before this addition, some Israelis with dual nationalities were taking advantage of E-2 visa opportunities.
The E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa specifically created for entrepreneurs and investors aiming to reside and work in the United States (INA § 101(a)(15)(E))
This visa allows entry to the U.S. based on a qualifying investment in the country (8 C.F.R. § 214.2(e)) This investment can take the form of launching new businesses or acquiring existing ones, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the U.S. economy.
Direct and Control a U.S. Business. The United States E-2 visa enables an Israeli citizen to:
Work in a U.S. Business. An Israeli citizen can also use the E-2 visa to bring other Israeli nationals to the United States to work in a U.S. business they own.
To be eligible for the E-2 visa in Israel, applicants must meet several key requirements:
A number of our clients hold joint UK and Israeli nationality. As the UK is the only country in the world whose citizens are subject to a residency requirement in the UK, our clients holding both Israeli and UK passports usually use their Israeli nationality to apply for their U.S. E-2 visa.
For Israeli citizens resident in the UK, an E-2 visa can be obtained from the U.S. consulate in London.
Given the emigration patterns between Russia and Israel, there are an estimated 1.5 million Russian citizens resident in Israel and an estimated 80,000 Israeli citizens resident in the Moscow area alone.
While Russia is not an E-2 country, Russian citizens who can avail themselves of Israel's generous citizenship program can thereby become eligible for the sought-after U.S. E-2 visa.
In the absence of a claim to Israeli citizenship, Russian nationals can generally only avail themselves of the U.S. E-2 visa program through Grenadian and Turkish citizenship programs.
Each year there are around 700 EB-5 visas available to people born in Israel. The EB-5 visa offers a U.S. Green Card (permanent residency) by investment.
The required investment is $900,000 per family, which includes the primary applicant, as well as any spouse and children under the age of 21. The investment must be in a new commercial enterprise and it must create or sustain ten full-time American jobs. Click here for more details.
The L-1 Intracompany Visa
is a popular route to the United States, especially for people in the tech industry.
The L-1A allows a company to transfer an international manager or executive and the L-1B allows it to transfer an
employee with "specialized knowledge".
It is possible to set up a brand new U.S. office of your Israeli company and then transfer employees there to oversee the
set-up and growth of that new office.
Israeli citizens are initially eligible for L-1 visas up to 48 months, which can then be extended to a maximum of five
years for an L-1B and seven years for an L-1A visa.
After this time, the applicant would need to return to Israel or find an alternative visa for staying in the United States. Read more about the L-1 Visa here.
Under U.S. visa regulations, applicants are normally expected to apply for non-immigrant visas at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence (22 C.F.R. § 41.101(a)(1)).
This requirement appears in 22 C.F.R. § 41.101(a)(1), which states that visa applicants should apply at the consular office responsible for the applicant's residence.
In addition, the U.S. Department of State has instructed applicants to schedule visa interviews in their country of nationality or residence whenever possible.
There are situations when routine visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or the Tel Aviv branch office are suspended or significantly limited because of security or operational issues.
When routine visa services are unavailable in a country, the Department of State allows applicants to apply at another U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. In those situations, Israeli E-2 visa applicants must complete their visa interview at a different consular post.
When visa services in Israel are unavailable or severely limited, Israeli E-2 applicants commonly process their visas at U.S. consulates that are accustomed to handling third-country E-2 applications, including:
These posts frequently process E-2 visa applications for investors who cannot complete the process in their home country.
Our firm is headquartered in London, and we regularly assist Israeli investors and entrepreneurs who process their E-2 visas at the U.S. Embassy in London. Because of our location and experience with cross-border cases, we are accustomed to working with Israeli founders, scientists, and investors who need to complete their E-2 visa interview outside Israel.
For Israeli applicants who cannot obtain an appointment in Israel, processing an E-2 visa in London can often be an efficient and practical solution. We regularly guide clients through preparing the E-2 petition, assembling the supporting documentation, and preparing for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in London.
⚖️ Expert Tip: For comprehensive advice on selecting the right legal partner for your E-2 application, consult our specialist resource:
A University of Haifa scientist used the E-2 visa to establish a U.S. pharmaceutical research company near the University of Maryland. The U.S. consulate accepted the transfer of his patents to the U.S. E-2 company and treated them as having an approximate value of USD 250,000 for E-2 investment purposes.
The business began with only USD 25,000 in initial operating cash, and the investor also brought a second scientist to the United States as an E-2 essential employee. This case involved a complex E-2 visa structure involving non-cash intellectual property, a research-driven business model, and a for-profit enterprise issue.
The investor's main contribution was not cash. It was his patents and proprietary technology, which were transferred to the U.S. E-2 company. The U.S. consulate accepted those patents as part of the E-2 investment and valued them at approximately USD 250,000.
The company had only USD 25,000 in initial operating cash. This made the structure unusual Most of the investment value came from the transfer of intellectual property rather than liquid funds.
The U.S. company was established near the University of Maryland, working in conjunction with a scientist studying for a PhD in biochemistry there. This supported the company's research objectives and placed the business in a strong academic environment relevant to pharmaceutical development, molecular biology, and related life sciences research.
This was not a typical E-2 case involving a restaurant, franchise, consulting firm, or retail business. It was a research-based pharmaceutical company built around the development of patented technology.
That created a legal issue under the E-2 rules because a qualifying E-2 business must be a real, active, and operating commercial enterprise that produces goods or services for profit (8 C.F.R. § 214.2(e)(13))
A company formed mainly to conduct research and build intellectual property value for later sale or licensing can therefore raise a genuine E-2 for-profit enterprise issue if the case is not structured and presented properly.
The company's commercial objective was to develop the technology to the point where it could complete Phase 2 clinical trials, attract U.S. funding, and become commercially attractive to a buyer or licensing partner.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Phase 2 trials are often the point at which a product begins to show meaningful commercial value because they provide early evidence of effectiveness in patients. FDA regulations explain that Phase 2 studies are designed to provide preliminary data on whether the drug works in people with the condition being studied under 21 C.F.R. § 312.21(b).
The investor also brought another scientist to the United States as an E-2 essential employee. That was important because the company needed specialist expertise to develop the patented technology and continue the research program in the United States.
This aspect of the case shows that the E-2 category can support not only the principal Israeli investor, but also key personnel whose skills are essential to the success of the U.S. business.
This case is a strong example of why Israeli investors, Israeli scientists, and Israeli biotech founders benefit from working with an E-2 lawyer familiar with Israeli cases. Israeli businesses often bring valuable patents, research technology, and startup-style business models to the United States. Those assets may be substantial, but they can also create legal issues that do not arise in more conventional E-2 cases.
Here, the challenge was not simply proving investment. It was showing that a research-driven Israeli business built around patents, future funding, and clinical development could still qualify within the E-2 framework.
If you are an Israeli entrepreneur, investor, founder, or scientist planning to expand to the United States, we can advise on E-2 eligibility, investment structure, patent-based investments, essential employees, and U.S. consular processing.
Our firm is headquartered in London, and we are accustomed to assisting Israeli E-2 applicants who need to process their visa applications outside Israel, including at the U.S. Embassy in London.
This is the kind of case where experienced legal strategy matters. When an E-2 application involves patents, intellectual property, essential employees, and a research-based business model, careful structuring and presentation can make a critical difference.
According to the OEC, 32.1% of Israeli exports go to the United States, making the United States Israel's leading export market. The UK comes third at 3.71%.
After the diamond industry, Israel's largest exporting industries are biotechnology (6.85%) and Integrated Circuits (4.46%).
The E-2 visa presents an ideal way for Israeli nationals in these sectors to open or expand a business in the United States. Many Israeli-trained physicians have also migrated to the United States.
The U.S. Federal government together with various State and local governments offer special incentives and assistance for technology and biotechnology businesses coming to the United States. Please contact our firm for further information on these incentives.
Israeli citizens apply for E-2 visas to direct and control businesses in a huge variety of industries in the United States. Some popular options include:
Contact us to learn how D&A can help Israelis to start a business in the U.S.
Yes, as an Israeli national, you can apply for an E-2 visa from:
To apply for the E-2 visa in Israel, you should proceed as follows:
The duration for obtaining an E-2 visa for Israeli citizens can vary depending on several factors, particularly the investor's circumstances. Here's an overview of the E-2 visa timeline in Israel:
It's important to note that individual circumstances and the specific Consulate you apply through can affect the processing time. Therefore, applicants should plan accordingly and consider premium processing if expedited processing is required.
The cost of an E-2 visa for Israeli citizens varies based on certain factors. Once you have obtained a second passport from a country that has a treaty with the United States, the typical minimum investment amount required is over US $150,000, which is approximately 481,000 Israeli New Shekels (ILS).
The specific fees associated with the E-2 visa application depend on your location:
It's important to be aware that the Bank of Israel serves as the regulatory body overseeing the framework and monetary policy for transferring assets and money outside of Israel.
For an E-2 visa application in Israel, it's crucial for applicants to ensure that the documents listed below are provided in the specified order.
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Cover Letter | On company letterhead, outlining business qualifications for E-2 status. |
| 2. Table of Contents | Identifying documents in the binder and their locations. |
| 3. Form DS-156E | Completed, with sections for business profile and staff. |
| 4. Evidence of Ownership Compliance | Compliance with ownership requirements, depending on company type. |
| 5. Proof of Business Nationality | Valid passports of individual owners. |
| 6. Evidence of Investment | Checks and bank transactions between investor and business. |
| 7. Evidence of Business Operation | Documents, including a 5-year business plan, contracts, financial records, etc. |
| 8. Proof of Substantial Investment | Documentation showing the investment is substantial. |
| 9. Proof of Meeting Marginality Requirement | Forms like W-2s and 1099s to show lawful employment. |
| 10. Employee's Visa Application | Documents for the employee's visa application, including DS-160, payment proof, photographs, CV, and more. |
| 11. Dependent's Visa Application | Documents for dependents' visa applications, including DS-160, payment proof, photographs, and proof of relationship. |
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Managing Partner of Davies & Associates; focused on E visa strategy and complex consular filings.
Mark I. Davies, Esq., J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, licensed by the SRA (SRA ID: 384468) in the UK, and a member of The Law Society of England & Wales, MBA, Wharton School of Business. Named a Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney by EB5 Investors Magazine.
Ranked Band 1 for E-2 visas in Singapore by Global Citizenship Services (2026). Admitted to practice in Georgia (USA). Georgia State Bar member. AILA member.
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We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas. We solve the most complex immigration problems for businesses, investors, individuals, and families.
E2 Visa Immigration lawyer near meSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand.
Individual seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaD&A was very detail-oriented and very thorough in what they did. They worked on my case 24/7 and were very patient in answering all my questions.
E-2 Visa ClientMy case felt complex but D&A managed the whole process carefully and helped me move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
E2 + CBI ClientD&A was my guiding light through the entire EB-5 process.
EB-5 Visa ClientI would definitely be a big advocate for the rest of my life for anyone wanting to explore the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme leading to the E-2 visa. The most important thing is a good team behind you.
With Davies & Associates, you're in safe hands... you need someone who can support you on the ground and, again, you are well taken care of by D&A. The people are really warm, very helpful and quite open-minded when it comes to business... Not to mention as a passport it's great from a travel perspective... It's just 4 to 5 hours from New York.
Grenada CBI + E2 Visa ClientThe entire process of getting an EB-5 visa is handled in a professional way by Mark Davies and his team. EB-5 is a wonderful option for anyone considering moving to the United States if you have the means. I was hoping to use the H-1B route for my children, but it became unreliable and so I looked to the EB-5 visa instead.
It is great for anyone who has the resources. Mark gives you the first meetings himself which gives you great comfort. Both Mark and Sanjay are abundantly available and I even had the pleasure of hosting them at my house.
Parent of 2 EB-5 visa holdersI'm in the process of extending my L-1 visa. I submitted a few questions regarding my case, and he contacted me back almost immediately, both by email and telephone. Unlike other attorneys I met before, he gave me the impression of knowing off the top of his head what kind of visa I have, and what actions had to be taken to extend it.
He is very thorough and clear regarding the process and what to expect in terms of timelines and issues that may arise. He is constantly in contact, so you definitely know he's working on your case.
L-1B Visa HolderMark Davies is a joy to work with. His extensive knowledge, speedy response and attentive service took away all my fears of dealing with immigration and visa applications. He is very generous with his time in explaining every step along the way and I have already and will in the future recommend him to anybody who is looking for an immigration lawyer.
E2 Visa for Small Professional Business With International OfficesDavies & Associates assisted us with an immigration emergency involving my brother's fiancée who was outside the United States. They assisted us in a highly professional manner, working with the relevant US embassy, US immigration and the governments of two other countries.
As a result of their efforts the individual involved is now working in the United States. While their knowledge of the law is exemplary what really distinguishes this firm and attorney Davies from any other firm we have worked with is their dedication to customer service and their unrivaled level of professionalism.
Complex Fiancée Visa Need Involving Multiple International JurisdictionsSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand. I have recommended this firm to several friends and colleagues, they do an excellent job every time.
Individual Seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaI was qualified as a physician in a foreign country. Being on a J1 visa I was facing having to leave the United States and return to my home country. Davies & Associates secured one of only 30 J1 visa waivers available in my State, allowing me to work for a US hospital and remain in the United States.
Doctor Seeking J1 Visa WaiverI am very satisfied with the services Mark Davies has provided me. He has a very extensive knowledge in immigration laws and has a thorough approach to any case.
U Visa Applicant, A Victim of CrimeWe are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas. We solve the most complex immigration problems for business, investors, individuals and families.
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