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.
E-2 Visa Lawyer Dubai
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Quick answer: can a Dubai resident get an E-2 visa?
A UAE resident can obtain an E-2 visa only if they hold the nationality of an E-2 treaty country. The UAE is not a treaty country, so Emirati or Indian nationality alone does not qualify. British, Pakistani, Turkish and many other treaty nationals living in Dubai usually can; others use a second citizenship such as Grenada. We work out your route on nationality first, then get the case moving.
Urgent: US visa processing in the UAE is paused
Following a US Mission security alert dated 13 July 2026, the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai remain open but are not processing routine nonimmigrant visas, including E-2, at this time (source: US Mission UAE, ae.usembassy.gov).
This does not have to stop your plans. Depending on your circumstances, we can keep your E-2 case moving by filing a change of status with USCIS if you are already in the United States, or by preparing it for consular processing in your country of nationality - since September 2025, E-2 cases must be filed in your country of nationality or legal residence, not at a random third-country post. Time your move with a lawyer rather than waiting on the paused UAE queue.
We are US-licensed immigration lawyers, and we act for investors and entrepreneurs in Dubai and across the UAE who want to open, buy or expand a business in the United States on an E-2 treaty investor visa. Our clients are British, Pakistani, Turkish, European and other treaty nationals living in the Gulf, dual nationals, and non-treaty nationals building an E-2 route through a second citizenship.
Award-Winning E-2 Lawyer in Dubai
Davies & Associates is recognised as a Top Tier E-2 Visa Law Firm by Global Citizenship Services — in Dubai, London, Paris and New York — and as a Global Top 25 Investment Visa Law Firm for seven years by EB5 Investors Magazine, supported by verified client feedback.
An E-2 case rarely turns on the forms. It turns on your nationality, how the investment is structured and timed, whether your funds can be traced to a lawful source, and whether the US business looks real and ready to trade. We handle those questions directly, and every Dubai matter is reviewed by our complex E-2 and refusals team before it is filed.
Who qualifies: the UAE and E-2 treaty nationality
The UAE is not an E-2 treaty country. Emirati nationality alone does not qualify a person, and eligibility follows the passport rather than UAE residence. In practice we see three groups of applicant in the Gulf:
- Treaty-passport holders in Dubai - the many expatriates who already hold the nationality of an E-2 treaty country such as the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany or Japan.
- Dual nationals - UAE residents who hold a second, treaty-country passport.
- Second-citizenship applicants - non-treaty nationals who lawfully take citizenship of a treaty country such as Grenada, subject to a domicile requirement, before relying on it for E-2.
Because nationality is the gate, it is the first thing we check. Where E-2 is not directly available we advise on the wider set of US routes from Dubai, including L-1 and the EB-5 green card for UAE and GCC investors. For the underlying rules, see our E-2 eligibility guide for UAE residents.
On this page
- ► Who can use the E-2 visa from the UAE
- ► Why use a US-licensed E-2 lawyer, not a consultant
- ► What we do on your E-2 case
- ► E-2 through Grenada or a second citizenship
- ► Source of funds for UAE investors
- ► Applying for E-2 from the UAE right now
- ► Which US consulate can you use now
- ► E-2 vs L-1 vs EB-5 for Dubai business owners
- ► What an E-2 visa costs from Dubai
- ► Already have a UAE Golden Visa?
- ► UAE E-2 cases we have handled
- ► Speak with an E-2 visa lawyer in Dubai
- ► Frequently asked questions
Who can use the E-2 visa from the UAE
Because the UAE is not a treaty country, the starting point is always your passport. The table below is a general guide to how eligibility tends to work for the profiles we see most often among Dubai residents. It is a guide, not advice, and treaty lists change, so we confirm your position against the current US Department of State treaty-country list before you rely on it.
| You live in the UAE and hold… | Direct E-2 eligibility | What we usually advise |
|---|---|---|
| A British passport | Usually yes | E-2 on the UK passport |
| A Pakistani passport | Usually yes | E-2 on the Pakistani passport |
| A Turkish passport | Usually yes | E-2 on the Turkish passport |
| An Indian passport | Not directly | L-1, EB-5, or a second citizenship for E-2 |
| An Emirati (UAE) passport | Not directly | L-1, EB-5, or a second citizenship for E-2 |
| A Grenada passport (incl. by investment) | Possible | E-2 once the continuous-domicile rule is met |
Why use a US-licensed E-2 lawyer, not a consultant
Plenty of firms in the Gulf will sell you a passport or fill in a form. An E-2 case is different work. It is a legal argument to a consular officer about your nationality, your money and your business, and it is handled here by US-licensed lawyers rather than sales staff. You deal with a lawyer on strategy, documents, filing and interview preparation, from first call to decision.
What we do on your E-2 case
Our job is to build a filing that is legally sound and ready for consular review. In practice that means:
Nationality and eligibility check
We confirm whether you hold, or can lawfully obtain, the nationality of a treaty country, and whether E-2 is genuinely the right route for your goal.
Investment structuring and timing
We make sure the investment is substantial for the business, committed, at risk, and tied to a real US enterprise - and that it happens in the right order.
Source and path of funds
For Gulf investors this is often the hardest part, and we cover it below in detail.
Ownership, control and the business evidence
We show that you own and will direct the enterprise, and that the US business is real and active, through company records, leases, contracts, licences and the business plan.
Filing and interview preparation
We prepare the legal submission and cover letter to the E-2 standard, then prepare you for the questions a consular officer will actually ask.
Further reading: our full E-2 treaty investor visa guide and how to choose the best E-2 visa lawyer.
E-2 through Grenada or a second citizenship
If you do not hold a treaty passport - as many Indian and Emirati investors in Dubai do not - a lawful second citizenship can open the E-2 route. Grenada is the option most discussed in the Gulf because it is an E-2 treaty country with an established citizenship-by-investment programme, and Turkey is another.
Be realistic about timing. Under current US law a person who acquires treaty citizenship by investment must generally show a continuous period of domicile - commonly understood as at least three years - before relying on that nationality for E-2. Anyone promising an immediate "buy a passport, file next month" E-2 is not describing the rule accurately. We plan the passport, the domicile evidence, the investment and the timing as one strategy so it holds up at interview. See our E-2 via citizenship-by-investment guide and the Grenada citizenship programme.
Source of funds for UAE investors
Gulf investors face a specific challenge: you live in a low-tax jurisdiction and may have no personal income-tax returns to hand a consular officer. That is not a problem if it is documented properly. We build the lawful source and path of funds from what you do have - audited DIFC, ADGM, free-zone or mainland company accounts, dividend and distribution records, property sale contracts, gift or inheritance deeds, and the banking trail across jurisdictions - and present it as a clean, traceable story from origin to the US enterprise.
Applying for E-2 from the UAE right now
As noted at the top of this page, the US posts in the UAE have paused routine visa processing. That changes the practical route, not your eligibility. The two live options are:
1. Change of status inside the United States
If you are already in the US in a valid status, we can file an E-2 change of status with USCIS, without needing a UAE consular appointment. This is often the fastest path while the UAE posts are paused.
2. Consular processing in your country of nationality
Since September 2025 the US Department of State no longer lets E-2 applicants process as third-country nationals at any convenient post: you must apply in your country of nationality or your country of legal residence. For a treaty national living in Dubai that normally means the US post in your nationality country - a British national applying in the United Kingdom, for example - because the UAE, your country of residence, is not processing E-2 right now. We advise on exactly where you can file and prepare the case for that post.
Either way, the legal work - nationality, investment, source of funds, business evidence - is the same, and it is what determines the outcome.
Which US consulate can a UAE resident use for E-2 now?
With the US posts in the UAE not processing routine visas (see the US Mission to the UAE visa notice), the practical question is where else your E-2 case can be filed. Since September 2025 you can no longer choose any convenient consulate as a third-country national: an E-2 application must be filed in your country of nationality or your country of legal residence. Because the UAE, your country of residence, is paused, that normally means the US post in your nationality country. In outline:
- British national in Dubai – apply at a US post in the United Kingdom.
- Pakistani national in Dubai – apply at a US post in Pakistan.
- Turkish national in Dubai – apply at a US post in Türkiye.
- Grenada citizen (including by investment) – once the continuous-domicile requirement is met, apply at the post that serves that nationality.
- Already in the United States – file an E-2 change of status with USCIS and avoid consular processing entirely while the UAE posts are paused.
Each E-visa post runs its own E-visa unit with its own document standards, registration steps and interview scheduling. Applying at the wrong post, or filing a case that does not match that post’s expectations, is one of the most common causes of delay for Gulf-based applicants.
How Davies & Associates helps when the UAE consulates are closed
We do this for UAE residents continually. We confirm your treaty nationality and the correct post, prepare the E-2 legal submission to that post’s E-visa unit standards, choose between change of status and consular processing for the fastest lawful route, and prepare you for interview. Where you qualify, we also time any second-citizenship step so a paused UAE consulate never stalls your US plans.
Ask which consulate fits your case
E-2 vs L-1 vs EB-5 for Dubai business owners
Many of our Dubai clients are choosing between routes rather than starting with a fixed idea. This is a starting point; the right answer depends on your nationality, capital and goals.
| Feature | E-2 | L-1 | EB-5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality needed | Treaty-country passport | None | None |
| Best for | Treaty nationals running a US business | Owners/executives expanding a UAE company | Investors wanting a green card |
| Green card? | No (renewable) | Not directly (EB-1C possible) | Yes |
| Investment | Substantial, no fixed minimum | Business-dependent | Statutory amount (confirm current figure) |
| Main UAE catch | UAE nationality alone does not qualify | Needs a qualifying company link | Source and path of funds |
What an E-2 visa costs from Dubai
There is no fixed minimum investment in the law - it must be substantial for the business and enough to run a real enterprise. The total cost of getting to the US on E-2 combines the qualifying investment itself, government and legal fees, and, for those using the second-citizenship route, the cost of the treaty passport. We set out a clear scope and a fee estimate at the first consultation so you can plan.
Already have a UAE Golden Visa? Why a US visa is different
A UAE Golden Visa gives you long-term residence in the Emirates. It does nothing for your ability to live, work or build a business in the United States, and it is not a path to US citizenship. If your goal is a US business, US schooling for your children, or eventually a green card, the E-2 - or, for permanent residence, the EB-5 - does what a Golden Visa cannot. We help you weigh the trade-offs, including the US worldwide-tax position that comes with a green card, before you commit.
UAE E-2 cases we have handled
These examples are generalised, but they show the issues that decide real Gulf cases.
A British founder in Dubai launching a US service business
The client held a UK passport and strong funds but a thin paper trail. We timed the investment, evidenced committed capital, and built the business case - and the visa followed.
A Pakistani national in Dubai buying an existing US business
Here the work was the deal: proving the funds were committed and at risk, and aligning the purchase documents with the E-2 filing so the two told one story.
An Indian family in Dubai with no treaty passport
E-2 was not directly available, so we mapped a lawful second-citizenship strategy, including the domicile and timing the rule requires, alongside an EB-5 comparison.
Speak with an E-2 visa lawyer in Dubai
If you are planning an E-2 visa from Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, we will start with your nationality, tell you honestly whether E-2 is open to you now or needs a second-citizenship step, and get the case moving despite the consular pause. Book a consultation and speak to a lawyer, not a call centre.
Frequently asked questions
Can UAE citizens get an E-2 visa?
Not on Emirati nationality alone. The UAE is not an E-2 treaty country, so E-2 eligibility follows your passport, not your UAE residence. Many Dubai residents already hold a qualifying passport; Emiratis and other non-treaty nationals usually pursue E-2 through a second citizenship such as Grenada, or an alternative like L-1 or EB-5. We assess your nationality first.
How can a Dubai resident qualify for an E-2 visa through Grenada?
Grenada is an E-2 treaty country, so its citizenship can open the E-2 route. It is not instant: a person who obtains treaty citizenship by investment must generally show a continuous period of domicile, commonly at least three years, before relying on it for E-2. We plan the passport, domicile evidence, investment and timing together.
Can I still get an E-2 visa while the UAE consulates are not processing visas?
Often yes. Following the July 2026 security alert the US posts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai paused routine visa processing, but your E-2 case can still progress: by filing a change of status with USCIS if you are already in the United States, or by preparing for consular processing in your country of nationality (since September 2025, E-2 applicants must file in their country of nationality or legal residence, not a random third-country post). We advise on the fastest lawful route.
E-2 vs L-1 for a Dubai business owner - which is better?
It depends on nationality and structure. E-2 suits treaty nationals investing in a US business; L-1 suits owners or executives of a UAE company opening or expanding a US branch and needs no treaty nationality. Many Gulf founders qualify for both, and L-1A can lead to EB-1C permanent residence. We compare them for your situation.
How much does an E-2 visa cost from Dubai?
There is no fixed minimum investment in the law; it must be substantial relative to the business and enough to run a real enterprise. Total cost combines the qualifying investment, government and legal fees, and, for the second-citizenship route, the cost of the treaty passport. We give a clear scope and fee estimate at consultation.
What does an E-2 visa lawyer in Dubai actually do?
We check your treaty nationality, structure and time the investment, review your lawful source and path of funds, prepare the legal submission and evidence that the US business is real and active, and prepare you for the consular interview. Complex and refused cases are reviewed by our dedicated E-2 team before filing.
Can an E-2 lawyer help if my previous application was refused?
Yes. We review the refusal, identify the likely issues - often source of funds, marginality, or the applicant's role - and advise whether the case can be strengthened and re-filed. Refused and complex E-2 matters need careful legal review before any new submission, which is where a US-licensed E-2 lawyer adds most value.
Official government resources
- US Mission to the UAE – visa services and current notices (US Embassy Abu Dhabi & US Consulate General Dubai)
- US Department of State – Treaty Trader & Treaty Investor (E) visas
- US Department of State – E-1/E-2 treaty countries list
- USCIS – E-2 Treaty Investors
- USCIS Policy Manual – Treaty Traders and Investors (E-1, E-2)
Government links are provided for reference only. Rules, processing status and treaty lists change; we confirm the current position for your case.
Related Dubai and UAE pages
- US immigration from Dubai - the full range of US investor, business and work visa routes for UAE residents.
- E-2 visa for Dubai and UAE residents - the eligibility guide covering treaty nationality and the second-citizenship route.
- EB-5 lawyer in Dubai - the US green card through investment for UAE and GCC investors.
Legal note: visa rules and treaty-country lists change; the position on this page, including current consular processing, should be confirmed for your case. This page is information about our services and is not legal advice.
About the Authors
Mark I. Davies, Esq.
Chairman of Davies & Associates; focused on E visa strategy and complex consular filings.
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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.
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.
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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.
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