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How to get an E-2 visa for USA?

US temporary resident - E-2 visa

The E-2 Visa is a wonderful opportunity for eligible investors and their families to live and work in the US. We’ve created a helpful overview of all of the key information you need to know on how to get an E2 Visa for USA.

What is an E-2 visa?


E-2 is a non-immigrant visa for foreign entrepreneurs from countries that have a Treaty of Trade and Commerce with the United States. E-2 treaty investor visa allows foreign investors to enter and work in the United States upon investing a substantial amount of capital into a bonafide enterprise.

A bonafide enterprise is a real, active commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking which produces services or goods for profit.

The E-2 visa allows treaty investors and their families to reside in the US for 2 or 5 years. It can be renewed indefinitely so long as all the visa requirements continue to be met. With an E-2 visa, your spouse is entitled to work anywhere in the US and children under 21 can attend school.

E-2 visa to Green card?


While the E-2 visa is not an immigrant visa, it is the longest-term visa currently available for the U.S. Furthermore, it can be converted to an EB-5 visa, through which you can obtain a green card and citizenship down the line, provided all the conditions for the EB-5 visa are met; however, this could be complicated process.

 

 

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What are the E-2 visa requirements?


  • You must be a national of a treaty country. For a list of all of the countries that currently have an E-2 visa agreement, please click here.
  • You must have invested, or be actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a bonafide enterprise in the United States.
  • An eligible investment is one where the investor’s capital, including funds and/or other assets, is at risk with the objective of generating a profit. The capital must be subject to partial or total loss if the investment fails. The investor must be able to prove that the funds have not been obtained from criminal activity. 
  • A substantial amount of capital is based on the total cost of purchasing an existing enterprise or establishing a new one. It also must be sufficient to ensure the investor’s financial commitment to the successful operation of the business. The lower the cost of the enterprise, the higher the investment must be to be considered substantial.

 

how much to invest for e-2 visa

How much do you need to invest for an E-2 visa?


While there is no officially mandated dollar amount, most E-2 investments are at least $100,000-$200,000. 

  • Your investment cannot be marginal. This means that it cannot be established just to support you and family. It must be a business that will be viable and continue to grow and scale.
  • You must be coming to the United States solely to develop and direct the investment enterprise.  This includes having at least 50% ownership of an active enterprise or possession of operational control through a managerial position or other acceptable means.

The investor can only work for the business which was the basis of the E-2 visa application. His family can hold other jobs.

The business must create at least 2 jobs.

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What kind of businesses can I invest in to be eligible for an E-2 visa?


The business must be a lawful, active, operating enterprise that offers a tangible good or service for profit. The enterprise must produce enough profit to initially support the investor’s family, but it should ideally have a significant economic impact in the United States and create US jobs There are many types of businesses that can successfully obtain an E-2 visa. Here are some examples.

  • Franchises
  • Import/export business
  • Law firm
  • Internet start-up
  • Restaurant
  • Coffee shop
  • Wine distributor
  • Retail store
  • Convenience store
  • Fashion design company
  • Medical office
  • Fitness centers
  • Consulting company
  • Catering company
  • Cleaning company

There are many other business types that are eligible for the E-2 visa - please contact us if you have a question about the business you plan to establish.

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Which nations have E-2 treaties with the USA?


There are currently 84 nations with E-2 Investor Treaties with the U.S.A. But, very few of them also offer a ‘Citizenship by Investment’ program. Critically important factors to consider, therefore, include:

  • Do you want to benefit from worldwide tax and U.S. currency agreements?
  • Do you want to begin or develop a U.S.-based business enterprise?
  • Do you want your family members to accompany you into the U.S.A. for the visa duration period(s)?
  • Do you want the opportunity for E-2 Investor status quickly?

To take two simple examples, Latvian citizens qualify for E-2 Investor status, but achieving citizenship by investment can take 10 years. Grenada, however, also has an E-2 Treaty agreement with the U.S.A., and attaining citizenship can take as few as 60 days.

How To Apply For the USA E-2 Visa?

How to apply for E2 Visa in USA?


The processing time for an E-2 treaty investor visa is just 2 months, but the application process varies depending on which country you’re applying from, and the type of enterprise you plan to invest in.  Please contact us and we’ll be happy to outline the exact application steps for your unique situation.

Check out this article on the E-2 Visa the most frequently asked questions. 

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Vicky Katsarova, CEO

“My world travels and my own immigration experiences have given me a deep understanding and clear insight into each of our clients’ specific requirements, aspirations and concerns. It is this intense personal association with client expectations and needs that helps to set our company and our service apart.”