Treaty-Country Nationality
The investor must generally be a national of a country that qualifies for E-2 treaty treatment.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
E-2 TREATY INVESTOR VISA
Understanding the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Relief Law helps entrepreneurs and business owners pursue E-2 Treaty Investor classification through carefully structured investments in qualifying U.S. businesses.
We evaluate the investor, the business, the investment, the source of funds, ownership and control, and the plan for developing and directing the enterprise.
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UNDERSTANDING E-2
What Is an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?
The E-2 Treaty Investor classification is available to qualifying nationals of treaty countries who invest in a U.S. enterprise and seek to enter the United States to develop and direct that business.
An E-2 case is about more than the amount of money invested. The application should present a clear and consistent picture of the investment, the business, the source and commitment of funds, the investor's ownership and control, and the enterprise's ability to operate and grow.
E-2 ELIGIBILITY
What Does an E-2 Case Need to Show?
We examine the major elements of the case together rather than treating the investment amount as the only issue.
Qualifying Enterprise
The investment must be connected to a real, active, operating commercial enterprise in the United States.
Substantial Investment
The investment must be substantial in relation to the cost of establishing or purchasing the particular business.
Develop and Direct
The investor must be positioned to develop and direct the enterprise through qualifying ownership or operational control.
Committed Capital
The evidence should establish that qualifying funds have been committed to the enterprise in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Business Potential
The enterprise should have the capacity to generate more than a minimal livelihood for the investor and qualifying family members.
THE INVESTMENT
How Much Do You Need to Invest?
There is no single minimum investment amount that applies to every E-2 business.
The substantiality of an investment is evaluated in relation to the particular enterprise. A business requiring significant capital to establish and operate will naturally be evaluated differently from a business with substantially lower startup and operating costs.
We therefore analyze the investment as part of the entire business structure, including the nature of the enterprise, expenditures already made, funds committed, operating requirements, financial projections, and the investor's plans for developing the business.
01
Source of Funds
Evidence showing how the investment capital was lawfully obtained.
02
Committed Capital
Documentation showing how funds have been committed to the enterprise.
03
Business Costs
Purchases, leases, equipment, inventory, licenses, payroll, and other operating expenditures.
04
Financial Plan
Business projections and evidence supporting the enterprise's anticipated operations and growth.
BUSINESS TYPES
What Businesses Can Support an E-2 Case?
E-2 cases can involve many different types of commercial enterprises. The analysis depends on the specific business and investment.
New Businesses
Entrepreneurs establishing and capitalizing a new U.S. enterprise.
Acquired Businesses
Investors purchasing an existing operating business and developing it in the United States.
Franchise Businesses
Franchise investments structured around an operating U.S. enterprise and a documented business plan.
Service Businesses
Professional, consulting, technology, transportation, hospitality, and other service enterprises.
Platform-Based Businesses
Businesses using online marketplaces while maintaining a genuine underlying commercial operation.
Other Commercial Enterprises
Other operating businesses may qualify depending on their structure, investment, ownership, and projected activity.
OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
The Investor Must Develop and Direct the Business
An E-2 application should clearly explain what the investor will actually do in the United States.
Depending on the business, the investor's responsibilities may include strategic planning, financial management, hiring, operations, marketing, vendor relationships, expansion, and other managerial functions.
The ownership structure, organizational documents, business plan, and supporting evidence should tell the same story about the investor's role.
OUR PROCESS
How Relief Law Handles E-2 Cases
We build the legal strategy around the actual business rather than trying to force every E-2 case into the same template.
Evaluate
We review nationality, business structure, investment, source of funds, ownership, and the investor's plans.
Structure
We identify the legal and evidentiary structure needed to present the investment and enterprise clearly.
Document
We organize the investment, business, financial, ownership, and operational evidence into a coherent case.
File
We prepare the appropriate filing or consular submission and assist through the applicable adjudication process.
E-2 CASE RESULT
E-2 Treaty Investor Approved for a Turo-Based Vehicle Rental Business
Relief Law recently assisted an entrepreneur seeking E-2 Treaty Investor classification for a Turo-based vehicle rental business.
The case involved a platform-based business model, investment in vehicles and business operations, active managerial control, and a plan for continued operation and growth.
READ THE FULL CASE RESULT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa FAQs
How much money do I need to invest for an E-2 visa?
There is no universal minimum investment amount for every E-2 business. The investment must be substantial in relation to the cost of establishing or purchasing the particular enterprise.
Can I buy an existing business for an E-2 visa?
An acquisition of an existing U.S. business may potentially support an E-2 case when the applicable requirements are satisfied and the investment and business operations are properly documented.
Can I start a new business for an E-2 visa?
Yes. A newly established enterprise may potentially qualify when the investment, business structure, operations, and other applicable requirements are satisfied.
Can a Turo business qualify for an E-2 visa?
A Turo-based vehicle rental business may potentially qualify depending on the investor, ownership structure, investment, business operations, financial projections, and other facts of the case.
Does an E-2 investor have to own 100 percent of the business?
Not necessarily. The ownership and control structure must satisfy the applicable E-2 requirements, and the investor must be positioned to develop and direct the enterprise.
Can my spouse and children accompany me?
Qualifying spouses and children may generally obtain derivative E status. Their eligibility should be evaluated as part of the overall case.
Is an E-2 visa a green card?
No. E-2 is a nonimmigrant classification and does not itself provide permanent residence.
START WITH YOUR BUSINESS
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Tell us about your nationality, proposed or existing business, investment, and plans for operating the enterprise.
This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. E-2 eligibility depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. Prior case results do not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future matters.
