The E‑2 visa is a non‑immigrant visa that allows foreigners to come and run a business in the United States. You can either start a new business or buy/franchise existing ones.
There’s no set minimum investment for the E-2 visa, but your investment must be substantial enough to cover startup costs and keep the business operating. In some cases, investments as low as $40,000 have been approved, depending on the type of business and its needs.
Citizens of these countries are eligible for the E-2 visa:
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Bona-Fide Enterprise
The business must be a real, active, and legally compliant operation that produces goods or services for profit. It must not be marginal—it should have the present or future potential to generate more than just a minimal income for the investor and their family.
Active Involvement
The investor must enter the U.S. to actively direct and develop the enterprise. This can be shown by owning at least 50% of the business or holding a key managerial role. Passive investors are not eligible.
Lawful Investment
The investment must come from lawful sources, such as savings, business income, sale of property, gifts, or loans secured by personal assets. The funds must be committed and at risk.
Control & Direction
You must either own at least 50% of the business or have operational control. The visa is granted to those entering the U.S. solely to manage and develop the business.
You can invest in and actively manage a business in the United States.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old are eligible to join you under E‑2 dependent visas.
Your spouse is allowed to work in the U.S. without needing to apply for a separate work permit.
Your children can attend school or university in the United States without requiring a student visa.
There is no fixed minimum investment amount, though the investment must be substantial and sufficient to support a viable business.
You can renew the E‑2 visa indefinitely, as long as your business remains operational and meets the visa requirements.
You are not required to maintain a residence in your home country to qualify or continue in E‑2 status.
There is no annual cap or lottery system for the E‑2 visa, making it more accessible than some other visa types.
You can invest in various types of businesses—whether starting a new one, buying a franchise, or purchasing an existing company.
You can sponsor key employees from your home country to work in your E‑2 business if they meet the requirements.
Premium processing is available for certain applicants, allowing for faster decision times.
There’s no fixed minimum, but it’s generally recommended to invest at least $100,000. The full amount doesn’t need to be spent right away — it can be shown as committed funds, with a clear plan to use them as needed for the business. What matters is that the funds are available, at risk, and intended for the business, even if not all are used immediately.
No. Passive investments like residential real estate, undeveloped land, or stock portfolios do not qualify. The business must be active and profit-generating.
Processing times vary depending on whether you apply from inside or outside the U.S. The total process can take up to 6 months. Premium processing (within the U.S. only) offers a decision in 15 business days
The E-2 visa duration depends on your country’s agreement with the U.S. It can be issued for as little as 3 months or up to 5 years. However, each time you enter the U.S., you’re typically granted a stay of up to 2 years, which can be extended indefinitely as long as your business remains active and compliant. You can travel in and out of the U.S. during the visa’s validity period, receiving a new 2-year stay with each entry.
Spouses can work in the U.S. and do not need separate work authorization beyond their E-2 status. Children can attend school but are not permitted to work.
No. E-2 visa holders can only work in the approved business. However, spouses can work for any employer once authorized.
The E-2 visa does not directly lead to permanent residency, but many investors later transition to a green card through other options, such as EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, family sponsorship, employment-based sponsorship, EB-1 visa etc
The investment must be at risk, meaning you could lose it if the business fails. If the enterprise no longer meets E-2 requirements, your visa status may be terminated, and you must leave the U.S. Strategic planning and risk management are highly recommended.
Yes, but only if they meet strict criteria. Eligible employees must share the same nationality as the E-2 investor, be essential to the business, either in an executive/supervisory role or with specialized skills not easily found in the U.S.
For example, a master sushi chef hired for a high-end Japanese restaurant may qualify if their skills are critical to the business's success.