Non-Immigrant Visa for Investors

The US government provides an unlimited number of non-immigrant investor visas (E-2 visas) to individuals wishing to live and work in the United States by investing in U.S. businesses. The applicant must be a citizen of a country possessing an investor treaty with the U.S. To learn about immigrant visas for investors, click here.

Quota: none
Length of Visa: not more than two years at a time
Extensions: not more than two years at a time; no specified limit.
Application Process: 2-4 weeks

In order to qualify you must demonstrate that you:

(1) will develop and direct the investment enterprise. This can be shown by proof that you own at least 50% of the U.S. company or are a "key employee" of the company, i.e. an indispensible executive or manager.

(2) will make a "substantial cash investment" (normally at least $100,000 for most countries) in the U.S.-based business. Investment capital must be your unsecured personal business capital or capital secured by business assets.

(3) are investing in a U.S.-based company that is actively engaged in trade and profitable enough to warrant the hiring of American workers

(4) intend to leave the U.S. upon termination of your business there

Accompanying relatives of E-2 visa holders are also eligible for E-2 visas. They may stay in the U.S. but not work there.

E-2 Visa Extensions of Stay
To be eligible for an E-2 visa extension, the investor must prove:

• that (s)he has at all times maintained the terms and conditions of the E visa
• was physically present at the time of filing the application for extension of stay, and
• has not abandoned their extension request.

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Definitions:

Investor Treaty: A certain number of countries possess an agreement with the United States to allow reciprocal investment. The current list includes: A-L M-Z Albania Argentina Mexico Mongolia Armenia Australia   Moldova Morocco Austria Azerbaijan   Netherlands Nicaragua Bangladesh Belarus   Norway Oman Belgium   Pakistan Panama Bulgaria Cameroon   Paraguay Philippines Canada Columbia   Poland Romania Congo Costa Rica   Russia Senegal Croatia Czech Republic   Slovak Republic South Korea Ecuador Egypt   Spain Sri Lanka Estonia Ethiopia   Surinam Sweden Finland France   Switzerland Taiwan Germany Georgia   Togo Trinidad Grenada Haiti   Tobago Tunisia Honduras Iran   Turkey Ukraine Ireland Italy   United Kingdom Uzbekistan Jamaica Japan   Yugoslavia Zaire Jordan Kazakhstan   Kyrgyzstan Latvia   Liberia Luxembourg       Accompanying Relative: The spouse or child under the age of 21 of the holder of an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, who is accompanying them to the US