Who the E-2 is for
#- Investors from treaty countries who will run a U.S. business
- Entrepreneurs with significant, at-risk capital
- Executives or managers of a treaty investor enterprise
Official guidance to review
#Use the category-specific USCIS page and State Department resources before applying.
Requirements checklist (high level)
#- Treaty country nationality
- Substantial investment committed and at risk
- Business is real, operating, and not marginal
- Evidence of intent to depart after E-2 status ends
- Treaty investors must show a substantial at-risk investment.
Documents and evidence
#Prepare credentials, job or program details, and evidence that matches your visa category. Consular posts may request additional documents based on your case.
- Bank records, wire transfers, and source-of-funds evidence
- Business plan, financial projections, and lease/contracts
- Company formation and ownership records
- DS-160 confirmation and passport
Step-by-step overview
#- Document the investment and business operations.
- Complete the DS-160 and pay fees.
- Attend the consular interview with business evidence.
- Enter the U.S. and maintain investment compliance.
Fees (verify before you pay)
#Verify Department of State visa fees and any USCIS filing fees that apply. E visas may include reciprocity fees depending on nationality.
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • Visa fee schedule (Department of State)
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • USCIS filing fees
Processing times
#Timelines depend on USCIS petition steps (if required) and consular interview availability. Consular processing times depend on post capacity.
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • USCIS processing times tool
Last verified: 2026-02-02 • Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)
Common mistakes that cause delays
#- Investment not fully committed or at risk
- Weak business plan or marginal enterprise signals
- Insufficient source-of-funds evidence
Next steps
#Use Find My Visa to build a sequenced plan with official sources and deadlines.
FAQs
What counts as a "substantial" E-2 investment?
USCIS and consulates evaluate proportionality and risk. The investment should be substantial relative to the business type and sufficient to make the enterprise viable.
Can I use gifted funds for E-2?
Yes, but you must document the lawful source of funds and the transfer trail showing the capital is at risk in the enterprise.
Do I need to hire U.S. workers for E-2?
The business cannot be marginal. Hiring plans and job creation projections help show the enterprise will support more than just the investor.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-01-29
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Requirements vary by nationality, purpose, timeline, and case details. VisaMind turns uncertainty into a sequenced checklist with official source citations.
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