E-2 visa
A US investor visa for citizens of countries that hold a treaty of commerce with the US.
E-2 is a non-immigrant US visa for entrepreneurs: it allows living in the US and running one’s own business backed by the invested funds.
The visa is available only to citizens of treaty countries. If your country is not on the list, a common route is to first obtain citizenship of an eligible jurisdiction such as Grenada.
E-2 is renewable as long as the business operates, but it does not by itself lead to a green card — other categories are used for permanent status.
| What it is | A non-immigrant US investor visa |
| Who is eligible | Citizens of countries holding a commerce treaty with the US |
| Key condition | A real operating business controlled by the investor |
| Not to be confused with | The immigrant investor (green card) program |
| Role in investment migration | A common reason to obtain treaty-country citizenship |
How it works in practice
- Citizenship is checked first: the applicant’s country must be on the treaty list; if not, a passport of an eligible jurisdiction comes first.
- A US business is created or bought; the investment must be substantial for that business and already committed.
- A business plan and source-of-funds evidence are prepared.
- The application is filed at a consulate (or via a change of status inside the US), followed by an interview.
- The visa is renewed for as long as the business genuinely operates and meets the requirements.
Common pitfalls
- ! A marginal business: a company that only supports the owner’s family does not qualify.
- ! An investment on paper: the funds must be actually invested or irrevocably committed, not sitting in an account.
- ! Expecting an automatic path to a green card: E-2 does not provide one, and a permanent-status strategy is built separately.
- ! Obtaining a treaty-country passport without checking the extra conditions: for citizens who acquired nationality by investment, additional domicile requirements may apply.
“E-2 rests on a real, trading business — the money has to be committed and working, not parked. A dormant company on paper will not survive renewal, and this visa alone does not lead to a green card.”
Levan Pogosov — LawyerFAQ
Who is eligible for an E-2 visa?
E-2 is available to citizens of countries that hold a treaty of commerce with the US. If your country is not on the list, a common route is to first obtain citizenship of an eligible jurisdiction such as Grenada.
Does the E-2 visa lead to a green card?
E-2 by itself does not lead to a green card: it is renewable as long as the business operates. Other immigration categories are used for permanent status.
Can the family accompany an E-2 investor?
Yes, the spouse and minor children receive derivative status; the spouse is generally allowed to work in the US, and children can study. Conditions are confirmed at the time of application.
Are there extra conditions for those who obtained treaty-country citizenship by investment?
Yes, for applicants whose passport was acquired through an investment program US law provides additional requirements, including a period of domicile in the country of citizenship. The details should be verified as of the filing date.
What happens to the visa if the business closes?
E-2 status is tied to an operating enterprise: once the business ends, the basis for the status disappears. A sale, restructuring or change of status is normally planned in advance.
How long can you stay in the US on E-2?
The visa and periods of stay can be extended an unlimited number of times while the business operates and qualifies. Specific validity terms depend on the applicant’s nationality and consular practice.