What is an E-2 Visa?

Believe it or not, there are other aspects of immigration law that have nothing to do with the southern border, asylum, the immigration courts, or defense from removal.  One such area is the E-2 Treaty Investors Visa.

The E-2 investor visa is for nationals of countries who have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States, maintain a qualifying international agreement, or where legislation exists to allow nationals of a country to invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.  The spouse and unmarried, 21 years old or less, child of the investor can also come to the US on the same visa.

Individuals who pursue an E-2 visa are the type of people who have been inspired by the promise of the American Dream, and freedom offered to all people who follow our nation’s laws, work hard, and persevere through difficult times.  These hard working, creative, and inspiring entrepreneurs are willing to risk their capital to start a US business that will make a living for themselves and their family, and usually, US Citizens as well because the business will likely hire US Citizens. 

The opportunities for investors with the E-2 visa are endless.  The regulations simply state, the business must be a bona fide enterprise to a real, active, and operating commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking which produces services or goods for profit.  That description is as broad as any definition you could ask for to risk your capital to start a business in the US that could lead to a temporary, yet renewal, visa. 

There is no minimum amount to invest, except the investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of either purchasing an established enterprise or establishing a new one.  The lower the cost of the enterprise, the higher, proportionately, the investment must be to be considered substantial. 

Another unique aspect of the E-2 visa is that as long as the enterprise you created, invested in, and have been running is still active, you can renew the visa in perpetuity. 

I enjoy working with E-2 entrepreneurs because they inspire me to be a better entrepreneur