Treaty Investors
Invest in a U.S. Business. Build Your Life Around It.
E-2 visas for nationals of treaty countries who invest in and run a U.S. business — aligned with a strategy that holds up to review.
At a glance
- You are a national of a country that holds a qualifying treaty with the United States.
- You are ready to invest a substantial amount in a U.S. business you'll actively run.
- First step — Strategy Session: We confirm treaty eligibility, assess whether your investment and business meet the substantiality and active-enterprise tests, and identify the gaps to close before filing.
- Nationwide — all 50 states.
The E-2 treaty investor visa lets a national of a treaty country come to the U.S. to direct a business they have invested in. It is one of the few paths that ties your immigration future directly to your enterprise — and one of the most flexible, renewable as long as the business operates.
It is also exacting. The investment must be substantial and at risk, the business must be real and active rather than passive, and your country must hold a qualifying treaty with the United States. A weak business plan or an idle investment can sink an otherwise strong case.
We treat the E-2 as both a legal filing and a business decision, because it is. We've walked this path with founders and investors, and we build the case so your money, your plan, and your visa point in the same direction.
Who this is for
This path is built for you if
- You are a national of a country that holds a qualifying treaty with the United States.
- You are ready to invest a substantial amount in a U.S. business you'll actively run.
- You want to buy an existing U.S. business or build a new one from the ground up.
- You need a visa structure that lets you live in the U.S. while you grow the company.
- You want your spouse to be able to work in the U.S. while you operate the business.
- Your investment is real but your documentation and business plan need legal shaping.
How we work
A deliberate path, start to finish.
Strategy Session
We confirm treaty eligibility, assess whether your investment and business meet the substantiality and active-enterprise tests, and identify the gaps to close before filing.
Case Architecture
We structure the investment trail and the business plan so the source of funds, the commitment, and the path to profitability all read clearly to an officer.
Filing and Interview Prep
We prepare the petition or consular package and ready you for questions about your investment, your plan, and your role directing the enterprise.
Decision and Beyond
We carry the case to approval and advise on renewals, on work authorization for your spouse, and on how growth or restructuring affects future filings.
Extraordinary talent deserves an extraordinary strategy.
Questions
What people ask us first.
How much do I have to invest to qualify for an E-2?
There is no fixed dollar figure — the investment must be substantial relative to the cost of the particular business and enough to make it operational. A small consulting firm and a manufacturing operation face very different thresholds. What matters is that the amount is proportional and genuinely committed and at risk. Every case turns on its facts — a strategy session settles yours.
Which countries qualify for the E-2 visa?
The E-2 is available only to nationals of countries that maintain a qualifying treaty of commerce with the United States, and the list changes over time. If your country isn't on it, alternative structures — including citizenship through another treaty country in some cases — may still open the path. Confirming eligibility is the first step. Every case turns on its facts — a strategy session settles yours.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally accompany you as E-2 dependents, and spouses are typically eligible for work authorization in the U.S. Children can attend school. This is one of the reasons many investors prefer the E-2 for relocating a family. Every case turns on its facts — a strategy session settles yours.
Does the E-2 lead to a green card?
The E-2 itself is a non-immigrant visa and doesn't convert automatically to permanent residence, though it can be renewed indefinitely while the business runs. Many investors later pursue a green card through a separate path, such as EB-2, EB-5, or an employment category. Planning that bridge early keeps your options open. Every case turns on its facts — a strategy session settles yours.
Your American future deserves a strategy.
Immigration
Visas, green cards, citizenship — nationwide.