E2 visa defined
The
E2 Investor visa is a non-immigrant visa category issued to foreign investors from countries that maintain a qualifying treaty with the United States and who invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business. Unlike the E1 treaty trader category, the E2 visa allows an investor to enter the United States to start a bona fide enterprise or purchase an existing business and direct that business.
The E2 visa is also a great option for business owners, investors or
entrepreneurs who are looking to establish a startup company.
Two Ways to Apply for an E-2 Visa
Once you have determined that the E-2 visa is the right option, there are two ways to proceed:
- Change of Status (COS). Apply for E-2 status from within the United States using COS.
- Consular Processing (CP). Apply using CP for an E-2 visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.
Application to Change Status to E-2 Status from Within the United States
If you are already lawfully present in the U.S. under another non-immigrant visa, you can apply for a Change of Status to obtain an E-2 visa.
An application to Change Status to E-2 status is filed using Form I-129. Form I-129 is filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition must include evidence of your nationality, investment, and a statement of your intent to return to your home country once your visa expires.
Applying for an E-2 Visa at a U.S. Consulate Abroad
If you are physically outside the U.S., you would need to apply for an E-2 visa at the applicable U.S. consulate in either: (1) your home country; or (2) your country of lawful residence. Unlike with other non-immigrant visas, an E-2 visa application is filed directly with a U.S. consulate, not with USCIS.
Step 1: File Form DS-160
Form DS-160 is filed online. Have the following ready:
- Passport
- Travel plans (even rough ones)
- U.S. contact details (often your U.S. business or attorney)
- Full details of your E-2 enterprise:
- Company name (exact legal name)
- U.S. address
- Your role (e.g. investor, executive, manager)
- Your CV / employment history
Starting the DS-160:
- Go to: https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/
- Select your consulate (e.g. London)
- Click "Start an Application"
- Save your Application ID immediately
The exact process varies by consulate and is typically explained on the applicable consulate's website. It is always worth checking with an E-2 lawyer who frequently files E-2 applications with the applicable consulate.
Step 2: Pay the Corresponding Fees
In addition to the DS-160 filing fee, the nationals of some countries are required to pay a reciprocity fee. Visa reciprocity fees are based on what a foreign country charges U.S. nationals and range from $0 to thousands of dollars in the case of Australia.
As of April 2026, the DS-160 fee is USD 315 for an E-2 visa application. These fees together with other costs of the E-2 visa process can be read
in our E-2 visa costs guide.
Schedule your visa interview
All applicants between 13 and 80 years old are required to have a visa
interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to complete their visa application.
We recommend that you schedule your interview as soon as possible so you don't
need to wait long due to the high volume of visa applications.
Prepare relevant supporting documents
The consular officers would use the documents you have submitted including the
answers to your interview to determine if you are eligible for an E2 visa, so
you must prepare all the relevant documents to increase the chance of you
getting approved.
Different consulates, and even different consular officers within a consulate, will focus on
different areas of your case. Knowing recent local trends in your consulate is invaluable.
While consular websites for have invalluable infomration on the process an experienced
E-2 visa lawyer who frequently files cases in your consulate is best positioned to help.
Attend the interview
After the submission of the petition, you will then be interviewed by the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate office regarding your purpose and intention of going to
the U.S. You need to prove your intent to depart once your E status expires
because if it's suspected that you want to remain in the U.S. permanently,
then your application might be rejected.
E2 Visa Process for Startup Companies
Step 1: Consulting with an Immigration Lawyer
The first step in obtaining an E2 visa is to first consult with an immigration
lawyer. With the expertise of an immigration lawyer, they can review your
situation and circumstances to determine if the E2 visa is the right option
for you. They can help you check if there are easier and better options for
you based on the goals and benefits you want to acquire.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Company
Once you have consulted with an immigration lawyer and have determined that
the E2 visa is the right option for your current immigration and financial
goals, the next step is setting up your E2 company. There are two important
steps when setting up an E2 company: 1) Forming the company, and 2) Opening a
bank account
Forming the company
You may choose any business information when setting up your E2 company such
as an LLC or corporation. However, you have to make sure that you own at least
50% of the E2 business. This is because one of the requirements of an E2 visa
is that you direct and develop the E2 business, which means you need to show
that you have operational control of the business by owning at least 50% of
it.
Opening a bank account
After you have formed your company, the next step would be to open a bank
account as you would need it to operate an E2 company. Additionally, bank
records from your business account will form as evidence for your E2 visa
application.
Step 3: Transferring the Investment Funds to the Business Bank Account
Once you have set up your business's bank account, the next step is to
transfer the investment funds into the bank account. This is because, as the
USCIS stated, you must make a substantial investment in a U.S. business to qualify for an
E-2 visa.
The substantial investment begins with actually depositing the investment
funds into the business bank account. While there is no minimum amount set by
the regulations, you should at least aim to invest at least $100, 000.
Step 4: Spending the Investment Funds
Once you have transferred your investment funds into the business bank
account, you need to begin to spend the funds for business expenses including
inventory, equipment, supplies, and marketing among others.
One of the requirements to get an E2 visa is that your funds must be "at-risk"
and "irrevocably committed" to the bona fide enterprise. It is not sufficient
that you deposit the funds into the business bank account, you must spend the
funds for the benefit of the business.
The consular officer reviewing your case will determine if your investment is
truly at risk or irrevocably committed according to the E2 guidelines. If not,
then your application can be denied.
Step 5: Submitting the E2 Petition
Once you have set up your business or enterprise and that your investment
capital is "at risk", you can now file for your E2 petition. There are two
primary options when applying for an E2 visa: 1) change of status with the
USCIS, and 2) visa processing at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
A change of status can only be done when you're lawfully present in the U.S.
under another non-immigrant status. This can be done by filing with the USCIS
a Form I-129. When doing so, you get an E2 status instead and not an E2 visa.
It doesn't give you the ability to travel freely in and out of the U.S.
because once you travel abroad, you will lose your E2 status.
Meanwhile, if you're physically present outside the U.S., you would need to do
visa processing for your E2 petition. To do this, you must file a Form DS-160
to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Once you have completed
your form, submitted the relevant documents and completed your interview, you
will be able to obtain your E2 visa.
Required Documents
The consular officer or adjudicator determines your eligibility for an E2 visa
depending on the relevant documents that you have submitted as well as your
interview answers. This is why you must prepare your
E2 visa requirements
carefully. Here is the list of required documents for an E2 visa:
Filed Form DS-160;
-
A copy of your passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the
period of your stay in the U.S. and with at least one blank page;
-
Two coloured photographs that comply with the U.S. visa photo
requirements. You are allowed to wear a headdress if required by the
religious order in which you are a member;
-
The receipt that shows you have paid the required application fee;
-
Form DS-156E, if you are an executive, manager or essential employee;
Curriculum vitae;
-
Proof that you intend to depart the U.S. once your visa expires such as
property deeds or apartment lease;
-
Proof that you invested in a bona fide enterprise such as a business
license, bank statements, organizational chart, tax returns, and financial
statements among others. This means that the enterprise must be real,
active and operating which produces products or services for profit;
-
Proof that your investment is substantial such as personal bank
statements, business bank statements, business license and registration,
and business plan;
Proof of your nationality; and
-
Proof that the enterprise is not a marginal enterprise such as personal
tax returns, personal assets and income, and payroll records. This means
that the business or enterprise has the present or future capacity to
generate more income than that is for the minimal living of the treaty
investor and his or her family members.
Factors to Consider When Applying for an E2 Visa
If you're planning to apply for an E2 Treaty Investor visa, there are
different things you need to consider as a treaty investor:
Requirements for the investment
You must invest a substantial amount in a U.S. business or enterprise to
qualify for an E2 visa. There's no minimum amount of investment required, but
its substantiality depends on the nature of the business. It must be
sufficient enough to ensure your financial commitment to the success of the
business, or of magnitude to support the likelihood that you will successfully
develop and direct the bona fide enterprise.
Take note as well that the investment capital must be subject to partial or
total loss if the investment fails.
Comprehensive business plan
You must have a comprehensive business plan that shows your investment, goals,
and projected growth or success. It should also show that your investment will
create jobs for qualified U.S. workers.
Eligibility of your country
Only a national of a country that has a signed treaty with the United States
or with a qualifying international agreement, or which has been deemed
qualified by legislation can apply for an E2 visa. You need to make sure that
you're a national of qualified
E2 countries
before applying.
Interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
The interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate is one of the important steps
in an E2 visa application. You need to prepare to answer questions related to
your qualifications, your investment, and your business plan.
Extensions
The E2 visa is valid initially for 2 years. You need to meet the requirements
to be able to renew your visa in increments of 2 years indefinitely.
Consult with an immigration attorney
The E2 application process can be complicated and rigorous, so consulting with
an experienced immigration attorney can help you navigate the process. Your
immigration attorney can prepare the relevant documents you would need to
submit, which can help increase the chances of you getting approved.
Here at
Davies & Associates, our experienced lawyers can help you with determining the relevant
documents for your application to streamline the process and increase the
chances of you getting approved.
Spouses and unmarried children
As an E2 visa holder, you can bring your spouse and unmarried children under
the age of 21 to the U.S. with you. They can apply for an E2 dependent visa,
which also allows them to freely live and work in the U.S.
E2 Visa Processing Time
The processing time for an E2 visa can vary depending on the USCIS service
center or U.S. Consulate where you submitted your application. Generally, it
will take you at least 5 months if you file with the USCIS. However, you can
have your application expedited and adjudicated within 15 calendar days once
you pay a premium processing fee of $2, 500.
Meanwhile, applications in the U.S. Consulate can take from 2 weeks up to 4
months.
Validity and Extensions of an E2 Visa
The E2 visa is initially valid for 5 years, which you can extend for up to 2
years at a time with the USCIS. There is no limit to the number of times you
can file for an extension as long as you maintain the intention to depart once
your status expires or is terminated.
E2 Visa Dependents
The E2 visa allows dependents to join the treaty investor in the U.S. Your
spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 can apply at the same time as
you. To work, your spouse doesn't need to obtain an Employment Authorization
Document 9EAD), while your children can study in the U.S.
About the Authors
Mark I Davies, Esq.
Chairman of Davies & Associates; focused on E visa strategy and complex consular filings.
Mark I Davies, Esq. JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Licensed with the SRA (SRA ID: 384468) in the UK, Member Law Society of England & Wales, MBA, Wharton School of Business. Top 10 Investment Visa Lawyer, Licensed (USA), Georgia State Bar. 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 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 & 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 |
Country Specific E-2 Guides:
English
Tiếng Việt
E-2 Visas for UK Citizens
E-2 Visas for Italians
E-2 Visas for Australians
E-2 Visas for Singaporeans
E-2 Visas in New York City
E-2 Visas for Canadians
E-2 Visas from the UAE
E-2 Visas for Argentinians
E-2 Visas for Germans
E-2 Visas for French
E-2 Visas for Turkish
E-2 Visas for Grenadians
E-2 Visas for Taiwanese
