Case Studies: Change of status application from F-1 to E-2 treaty investor

Last Updated: August 2026
Written by: Mark I. Davies, Esq., MBA (Wharton School), Fellow University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Ga. Bar License #: 283816, AILA Member, SRA ID: #384468.
Reviewed by: Sukanya Raman, Esq., Managing Attorney Davies & Associates, India

Last Updated: September 2023
Written by: Mark I. Davies, Esq., MBA (Wharton School), Fellow University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Ga. Bar License #: 283816, AILA Member, SRA ID: #384468.
Reviewed by: Sukanya Raman, Esq., Managing Attorney Davies & Associates, India

Visa Type: E2 Treaty Investor
Country: Japan

Change of status application from F-1 to E-2 treaty investor

Synopsis

Our client from Japan is on F-1 status. In order to apply to change status to E-2, he purchased an existing nail salon in New Jersey for $80,000 USD. A significant part of his investment funds were gifted to him by multiple people. It was quite a challenge to document and prove that the funds from multiple people come from legitimate sources.

It is interesting to note that while the E-2 Treaty Investor has to invest his or her personal funds, the funds can actually be gifted to him or her. Also, the funds do not have to come directly from the treaty country.



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