An E-2 visa (Treaty Investor Visa) is used for applicants who want to enter the U.S. solely to develop and direct the operation of an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. An E-2 visa can also granted to the primary visa holder’s spouse and minor children.
What Are The Requirements For An E-2 Visa?
How Long Is The E-2 Visa Valid?
What are the Requirements for an E-2 Visa?
VISANOW can prepare the E-1 visa petition if the Beneficiary is presently in the U.S. in valid status or if the Beneficiary is outside the U.S.
The following are the requirements for the E-2 visa:
- The investor, either a real or corporate person, must be a national of a treaty country (there is no nationality requirement for the spouse or child of the primary visa holder);
- The investment must be substantial. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise. The percentage of investment for a low-cost business enterprise must be higher than the percentage of investment in a high-cost enterprise;
- The investment must be a real operating enterprise. Speculative or idle investment does not qualify. Uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security are not considered an investment;
- The investment may not be marginal. It must generate significantly more income than just to provide a living to the investor and family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United States;
- The investor must have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans secured with the assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed; and,
- The investor must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise. If the applicant is not the principal investor, he or she must be employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity. Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.
The E-2 Treaty countries are as follows
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Congo (Brazzaville)
- Congo (Kinshasa)
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Grenada
- Honduras
- Iran
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea (South)
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of (FRY)
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Senegal
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Suriname
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Togo
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yugoslavia
How Long is the E-2 Visa Valid?
An applicant for an E-2 visa may be initially admitted to the U.S. for a period of up to two years. An E-2 visa can technically be extended indefinitely in increments of two years. VISANOW can prepare the initial E-2 application as well as any subsequent E-2 extensions.