E-2 Visa Lawyer Italy:
U.S. Treaty Investor Visas Filed in Rome

Last Updated: June 2026, updated for current Rome E-2 interview practice
Written by: Mark I. Davies, Esq., MBA (Wharton School), Fellow University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Ga. Bar License #: 250186, AILA Member, SRA ID: #384468.
Reviewed by: Sukanya Raman, Esq., Managing Attorney Davies & Associates, India

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Last updated: June 30, 2026

Davies & Associates advises Italian entrepreneurs, founders, and investors applying for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa through the U.S. Embassy in Rome. From our Rome office on Via Aurelia, our U.S. immigration lawyers and Italian-qualified counsel structure the investment, prepare the E-2 business case, coordinate U.S. company formation, and prepare clients for the E-2 interview in Rome. Every E-2 visa in Italy is processed through the U.S. Embassy in Rome — it is the only consular post in the country that handles E-category cases. That is why our Rome team works with E-2 clients the length of Italy: Milan, Naples, Florence, Turin, Bologna, Bari, and everywhere in between. Wherever your business or your home is in Italy, your E-2 case is prepared for, and filed in, Rome.

Under our Firm Charter, every E-2 treaty investor application is structured and presented by a Senior Partner. Whether you are a solo founder or an established Italian company expanding into the United States, our team works directly with you and prepares each case to meet the standards of 9 FAM 402.9 and 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(e).

Before you commit funds, speak with a senior E-2 lawyer.
We help Italian investors structure the U.S. business, source-of-funds record, escrow, and Rome E-Visa filing before avoidable mistakes are made — and every case is led by a senior lawyer, not a case manager.

Quick Answer: Who Is This Page For?

This page is for Italian nationals and Italy-based investors seeking an experienced E-2 visa lawyer to prepare a U.S. treaty investor visa application through the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Davies & Associates assists with E-2 investment structuring, U.S. company formation, source-of-funds documentation, E-2 business plans, the Rome E-Visa filing, interview preparation, renewals, and longer-term green card strategy. Because Rome is the only post in Italy that processes E-category visas, we act for clients across the whole country — not only Rome. Consultations are available in Italian and English.

E-2 Visa Italy at a Glance

Question Answer for Italian Nationals
Do Italian citizens qualify? Yes. Italy is an E-2 treaty country.
Where is the case filed? Through the U.S. Embassy in Rome — the only E-visa post in Italy, serving applicants nationwide.
Is there a fixed minimum investment? No fixed minimum. The investment must be substantial for the business.
Can family apply? Yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply as derivatives.
How long can the visa be valid? Up to five years, multiple entry, subject to the U.S.–Italy reciprocity schedule.
Filing system The Rome E Visa Navigator process.

In Short: E-2 Visa Lawyer Italy

Davies & Associates is a U.S. immigration law firm advising Italian citizens and Italy-based investors on E-2 treaty investor visas. All Italian E-2 cases are filed through the U.S. Embassy in Rome, so the firm’s Rome office works with clients from across Italy. The team assists with investment structuring, source-of-funds evidence, U.S. company formation, E-2 business plans, Rome E Visa Navigator filings, interview preparation, renewals, and green card strategy. The Rome practice is led by Managing Attorney Massimiliano Tommasiello, an Italian- and U.S.-qualified lawyer, working in Italian and English.

The E-2 Visa for Italian Nationals in Brief

The E-2 category is for treaty country nationals — and Italy has held an E-2 treaty with the United States since 1948 — who invest a substantial amount of capital in a real, operating U.S. business and come to the United States to develop and direct it. For Italian nationals, a successful application turns on the investment amount, how the U.S. business is structured, the lawful source and path of funds, and how the case is presented to the U.S. Embassy in Rome.

For the full eligibility standards, investment levels, and step-by-step consular detail, see our in-depth E-2 visa guide for Italian nationals. This page focuses on how we structure and present Italian E-2 cases and how the Rome filing actually works.

Current Rome E-2 Rules & Updates (reviewed June 2026)

  • Heightened source-of-funds scrutiny (2026). Across consular posts in 2026, officers are applying closer scrutiny to source-of-funds documentation and to whether the business plan shows a realistic path to more than marginal income. For Italian applicants this means the lawful path of funds — Agenzia delle Entrate records, notarial deeds, bank trails — should be documented before filing, not after.
  • Longer interview waits and more detailed interviews. The return to mandatory in-person interviews and enhanced screening has lengthened appointment waits at many posts and made E-2 interviews more business-focused. Build extra time into your Rome timeline and prepare for detailed questions on funding and operations.
  • Enhanced visa screening (2026). The State Department has increased vetting requirements across several nonimmigrant visa categories. E-2 applicants should make sure their identity, travel, business, and source-of-funds records are complete and consistent before filing. Confirm the current post-specific requirements before you submit.
  • Treaty status stable for Italy. Italy remains an E-2 treaty country, and Italian nationals can receive E-2 visas with validity of up to five years under the U.S.–Italy reciprocity schedule. Always confirm against the State Department’s current treaty-country and reciprocity tables.

Who Our E-2 Lawyers in Italy Help

Because Rome is the only post in Italy that processes E-category visas, every Italian E-2 case is filed there — so we act for clients the length of the country, not just in Rome. We commonly assist Italian nationals:

  • establishing a new U.S. business as a treaty investor
  • expanding an existing Italian company into the U.S. market
  • acquiring an operating U.S. business
  • investing in a franchise structure
  • relocating to manage an active commercial enterprise
  • based in Milan, Naples, Florence, Turin, Bologna, and elsewhere, all interviewing at the U.S. Embassy in Rome

Investors searching for an E-2 visa lawyer in Italy — or an E-2 visa for Italian citizens — are usually dealing with one of these scenarios and need to understand how the investment fits within U.S. immigration requirements. Our E-2 visa guide for Italian nationals explains the treaty-nationality and filing context in more detail. Investors based in the north can also meet our team through our E-2 visa lawyer in Milan.

Which E-2 Route Fits Your Italian Case?

Your situation Likely E-2 strategy
You are buying a U.S. business Acquisition due diligence, escrow, source-of-funds record, Rome filing
You are opening a new U.S. company Company formation, lease and contracts, staged investment, business plan
Your Italian company is expanding to the U.S. Ownership structure, treaty nationality, intercompany contracts, U.S. launch plan
You are investing in a franchise Franchise agreement review, start-up costs, operating plan, Rome E-2 presentation

Our E-2 Client Charter for Italian Investors

Our work for Italy-based E-2 clients is built around a few clear commitments:

  • you deal with qualified U.S. immigration lawyers, not unregulated caseworkers
  • we integrate immigration advice with the commercial and consular realities of your case
  • we structure the file to match how the U.S. Embassy in Rome actually reviews E-2 applications
  • because all Italian E-2 visas are processed in Rome, our Rome office welcomes E-2 clients from across Italy, working alongside our Milan, Florence, Naples, and U.S. teams
  • we focus on clear, practical explanations rather than theory

Direct Access to Senior E-2 Lawyers

Clients in Italy work directly with lawyers who focus on E-2 and other investor routes. Our Rome practice is led by Massimiliano Tommasiello, the Managing Attorney of Davies & Associates in Rome — an Italian-qualified lawyer who is also admitted as an attorney at law in the United States. Where needed, we involve U.S.-based business or corporate counsel so that company formation, shareholder arrangements, and commercial contracts support the immigration strategy rather than cutting across it.

That structure matters because many E-2 cases turn on the interaction between immigration rules, business planning, and how the investment has been executed in practice. We keep that interaction clear, so that both the business and the visa case make sense to an informed consular officer.

Your Rome E-2 Lawyer: Massimiliano Tommasiello

Managing Attorney, Davies & Associates (Rome) · Attorney at Law in Italy and the United States

Massimiliano Tommasiello leads Davies & Associates’ E-2 treaty investor practice in Rome. Dual-qualified in Italy and the United States, he advises Italian entrepreneurs, founders, and family businesses on structuring U.S. investments and presenting E-2 applications to the U.S. Embassy in Rome — the only U.S. consular post in Italy that processes E-category visa applications. He works in Italian and English and is supported by the firm’s global E-2 and EB-5 teams.

  • Admitted as an Attorney at Law in Italy and in the United States
  • Educated at LUISS (Rome) and Temple University’s Beasley School of Law
  • Focus on E-2, E-1, L-1, and EB-5 matters for Italian nationals

Read Massimiliano Tommasiello’s full profile →

What Our E-2 Lawyers Do for Italian Clients

An E-2 application is not simply a set of forms. It requires a real U.S. business, a documented investment, and a file that ties the legal requirements to the facts of the case in a coherent way. For Italian clients we handle:

  • assessing whether the investment is substantial for the type of business
  • reviewing whether the enterprise is active and capable of generating income beyond marginal levels
  • organising the lawful source and path of funds so the financial trail is clear — often using Italian bank records, Agenzia delle Entrate tax records, notarial deeds, and company filings
  • structuring the qualifying investment, where appropriate, through escrow so funds are documented as committed and at risk without spending capital unnecessarily before approval
  • preparing a structured application package that is easy for the Rome E-Visa unit to review
  • ensuring the business plan aligns with the actual operating record
  • preparing the applicant for the consular interview in Rome and likely follow-up questions

These issues reflect the legal standards in 9 FAM 402.9 and 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(e). If you are still assessing the legal criteria, our E-2 visa requirements page covers the investment, control, and marginality tests in more detail.


Speak with an E-2 partner about your Italian case

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How the Rome E-Visa Filing Works

Unlike many U.S. visas, the E-2 is processed at the U.S. Embassy in Rome rather than by USCIS, and Rome is the only post in Italy that handles E-category cases. The consulates in Milan and Naples do not process E-2 or E-1 visas. In outline, the Rome process runs as follows:

  • Prepare and assemble the case — the U.S. company, the investment evidence, the source and path of funds, and the E-2 business plan.
  • Complete the DS-160 and pay the MRV fee for the principal applicant (and each family member).
  • Submit the E-2 package to the Rome E-Visa unit, generally electronically and in the format the post expects, ahead of any interview.
  • Document review against 9 FAM 402.9 by the post before an interview is scheduled.
  • Interview in Rome for the principal applicant, with questions on the role, funding, and business activity.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome now directs E-visa applicants to use the E Visa Navigator for E-visa applications and inquiries, and the Embassy has indicated that applications or inquiries that are not submitted correctly may not be reviewed and can delay the case. We keep each filing aligned with the post’s current Navigator procedure and document expectations. Because we file E-2 cases in Rome regularly, we monitor changes in the interview pattern and the questions being asked. The Embassy outlines its procedures on its E visas / E Visa Navigator page, its E-2 application requirements page, and its overview of application procedures. For Italy-based applicants, the key issue is not travel logistics but the quality and organisation of the file that reaches the officer.

Rome timing and format matter. Rome E-2 filings are document-sensitive, and the post can carry interview waits of several weeks to a few months. Incorrectly formatted or incomplete submissions may be returned or delayed before an interview is even scheduled. We therefore prepare the case in the format the Rome E Visa unit expects — with the ownership, investment, source-of-funds, real-and-operating, and marginality evidence organised before submission — and build realistic timing into your plan.

Not here for an E-2 visa? Our Italian team also advises on the E-1 treaty trader visa, the L-1 visa, the EB-5 investor visa, and Italian citizenship and naturalization (jure sanguinis). See all of our U.S. and Italian immigration services.

An Italian Brand Licensed Into a U.S. Business

Client: a producer of Italian cheese from Calabria who wanted to open a small U.S. business to facilitate the sale and distribution of the product across the United States.

The problem: the U.S. operation was essentially a representative sales office and required very little cash investment — on its face, too little to look “substantial.”

The solution: we obtained a fair market valuation of the Italian brand in excess of USD 5.75 million. The Italian business then granted a licence to the U.S. business to use the brand. The U.S. Embassy in Rome accepted that the licence was worth at least USD 150,000 and approved E-2 visas for both the business owner and an “essential worker.”

Why it matters

An E-2 investment does not have to be all cash. The fair market value of intangible or intellectual property — here, a licensed Italian brand — can count toward the qualifying investment when it is properly valued and documented. 9 FAM 402.9-6(B).

Bologna Manufacturer, Escrow-Funded U.S. Start-up

Client: a maker of high-performance motorcycle parts from the Bologna area, planning to expand into the United States starting with a small presence.

The problem: the initial presence required very little capital up front. As the business grew it would clearly meet E-2 requirements, but at the filing stage the committed capital needed to be visible and at risk.

The solution: the client placed the capital needed to fund the business plan for 12–24 months into escrow. The E-2 visa was approved at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, and the escrowed funds were then used to fund the business over time.

Why it matters

Escrow is one of the most secure ways to evidence “at risk” capital for an Italian E-2 case: it irrevocably commits funds for E-2 purposes while protecting the investor if the application is refused. 8 CFR §214.2(e)(12).

E-2 Investment and Business Planning

The E-2 route depends on a real U.S. business, so many Italian applicants need to do more than prepare immigration forms. We help with:

  • structuring the U.S. company and ownership correctly
  • timing and documenting the investment so the funds are clearly committed and at risk
  • reviewing leases, contracts, and operational setup documents
  • aligning the business plan with actual spending, staffing, and projected activity

The objective is to present a genuine operating enterprise rather than a theoretical project. Our E-2 business plan guide explains how the plan should support, rather than contradict, the rest of the file. For budgeting, see our E-2 visa costs and fees page.

Common Issues in Italian E-2 Applications

Delays and refusals usually arise from familiar issues rather than unusual ones: incomplete financial records, unclear ownership structures, funds that are not clearly committed and at risk, or a business plan that does not line up with the documents in the file.

Addressing these points early makes the case easier for the consular officer in Rome to review and reduces the likelihood of follow-up requests. That is often where an experienced E-2 lawyer adds practical value: tightening the record before submission rather than trying to explain gaps afterward. Every Rome E-2 filing is reviewed by lawyers experienced in complex E-2 cases and prior-refusal strategies before it is submitted.

The most expensive E-2 mistakes usually happen before the lawyer is instructed: signing the wrong purchase agreement, wiring funds without a clear source-of-funds trail, choosing an ownership structure that weakens treaty nationality, or preparing a business plan that does not match the actual spending. We try to solve those problems before they become consular problems — which is why it is worth speaking to an E-2 lawyer before you commit funds.

The E-2 framework is not based on one source alone. The core regulation appears at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(e), which sets out the basic requirements for treaty investors. For consular filings in Rome, the principal working guidance is the State Department’s 9 FAM 402.9, which explains how posts assess substantiality, marginality, ownership, and the investor’s role in directing and developing the enterprise. USCIS guidance, including the USCIS Policy Manual, is most relevant where an applicant seeks E-2 classification or an extension from inside the United States. Taken together, the sources focus on the same practical questions: treaty nationality, a substantial investment truly at risk, a bona fide operating enterprise, and a real managerial or executive role.

Our Rome Office — Where Every Italian E-2 Case Is Filed

Because every E-2 visa in Italy is processed through the U.S. Embassy in Rome, our Rome office supports clients through every stage of the application, working with our teams in Milan, Florence, and Naples and in the United States to serve E-2 applicants from across Italy.

Rome Office Address

Davies & Associates LLC — E2 and EB5 Visa Lawyers (Rome)
Via Aurelia, 786
00165 Roma RM
Italy

Contact

Phone: +39 373 868 7874
WhatsApp: +39 373 868 7874
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–18:00

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Italian citizenship, not a U.S. visa? Our Rome team also advises on Italian citizenship and naturalization, including jure sanguinis. That is a separate practice from the U.S. E-2 work described on this page.

Contact our experienced E-2 visa lawyers for Italy

Request an E-2 Visa Consultation

Why Italian E-2 Investors Choose Davies & Associates

  • Rome-based E-2 representation for cases filed at the U.S. Embassy in Rome — serving clients from every region of Italy
  • Italian and U.S. legal capability through Managing Attorney Massimiliano Tommasiello and the firm’s U.S. immigration team
  • Senior-lawyer involvement on every case under our Firm Charter
  • Experience with founder-led businesses, franchises, acquisitions, and Italian companies expanding into the U.S.
  • Integrated business-plan, source-of-funds, and consular-filing strategy — handled as one case, not three
  • Consultations in Italian and English

E-2 Visa Resources for Italian Investors

If you are considering an E-2 visa from Italy, it is usually sensible to seek advice before committing funds or finalising the U.S. transaction. Early structuring decisions often determine how straightforward the case will be to present in Rome.

Speak With an E-2 Visa Lawyer for Italy

If you are planning an E-2 application from anywhere in Italy, we can review your eligibility, investment structure, business documents, and supporting evidence, and prepare the case for the U.S. Embassy in Rome.

Request a Consultation

E-2 Visa Lawyer Italy — FAQs

Do Italian citizens qualify for the E-2 visa?

Yes. Italian nationals qualify because Italy has maintained an E-2 treaty with the United States since 1948. The investor must make a substantial investment in a real, operating U.S. business and come to the United States to develop and direct it.

Where do Italian nationals apply for the E-2 visa?

All E-2 visa applications for Italian residents are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. The consulates in Milan and Naples do not process E-category visas, so every Italian E-2 case is filed and interviewed in Rome — regardless of where in Italy the applicant lives or where in the U.S. the business is located.

Is there a minimum investment for an E-2 visa for Italian citizens?

No fixed minimum appears in the regulation. The investment must be substantial in relation to the cost of the business and sufficient to show a real, operating enterprise rather than a speculative plan. In our Italian cases approvals have ranged widely depending on the business model.

Can my spouse and children come with me on an E-2 visa?

Yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply as derivative family members. E-2 spouses are generally work-authorized incident to status when admitted in the proper spousal classification and may work in the U.S. without a separate EAD, though they should check their I-94 notation and current USCIS guidance. Children may live and study in the U.S. but cannot work under E-2 dependent status.

Can an Italian company expand into the U.S. on an E-2 visa?

Yes. A common route for Italian businesses is to establish or acquire a qualifying U.S. enterprise and apply as a treaty investor. The value of inventory, equipment, and in some cases a licensed Italian brand can count toward the qualifying investment when properly documented.

How long is the E-2 visa valid for Italian nationals?

Under the U.S.-Italy reciprocity schedule, E-2 visas issued to Italian nationals can carry validity of up to five years with multiple entries, and may be renewed indefinitely while the business continues to meet the E-2 requirements.

Disclaimer

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and documentation, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Italian citizens should always consult the official U.S. Embassy Rome E-2 visa page for the latest process and appointment information.

About the Authors

Mark I. Davies, Esq.

Chairman 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. Top 10 Investment Visa Lawyer. Licensed in the USA. Georgia State Bar member. AILA member.

Area Details
Education: JD, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School | MBA (Finance), The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Chartered Accountant (ICAEW)
Financial Training: Completed the Analyst Training Program at a major international bank | Chartered Accountant background with professional training in financial analysis and reporting
Legal Practice: Admitted to practice in Georgia (USA) | Registered Solicitor with the Law Society of England and Wales | Former CMBS lawyer at one of the world's largest international law firms
Immigration Track Record: 15+ years advising HNW investors | Zero denials for clients advised on source-of-funds compliance in EB-5 | Hundreds of successful EB-5 cases globally
Recognition: Named a Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney by EB5 Investors Magazine (2018–2023)
Professional Engagements: Lecturer/trainer for other lawyers at AILA, ACA, University of Pennsylvania Law School | Frequent speaker at global investment immigration conferences


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