E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Services

What is an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?

The E-2 Treaty Investor visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows nationals of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation to invest in a U.S. business and enter the United States to develop and direct the operations of that business.

This visa category is ideal for entrepreneurs and business owners who wish to start a new business in the U.S. or purchase an existing one, provided they are willing to make a substantial investment and are citizens of a qualifying treaty country.

E-2 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an E-2 visa, the following key requirements must be met:

• The investor must be a national of a country that has a qualifying treaty with the United States
• The investor must have invested, or be in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide U.S. enterprise
• The investment must be real, active, and at risk
• The investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of the business
• The investment must be more than a marginal enterprise that only supports the investor and family
• The investor must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the business
• The investor must have control of the funds, and the funds must be lawfully obtained

Qualifying Treaty Countries

The E-2 visa is only available to nationals of countries that have a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. These countries include, but are not limited to:

• Argentina, Australia, Austria
• Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria
• Canada, Chile, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic
• Denmark, Estonia
• Finland, France
• Germany, Greece, Grenada
• Ireland, Israel, Italy
• Japan, Jordan
• Korea (South), Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
• Mexico, Moldova, Morocco
• Netherlands, Norway
• Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland
• Romania
• Senegal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland
• Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey
• Ukraine, United Kingdom
• Yugoslavia (applicable to successor states including Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia)

What Constitutes a "Substantial Investment"?

While there is no fixed minimum investment amount required for an E-2 visa, the investment must be substantial in proportion to the total cost of establishing or purchasing the enterprise. Generally:

• For businesses with a total cost under $500,000, an investment of at least 75-100% may be expected
• For businesses costing $500,000 to $1 million, an investment of at least 60-75% may be considered substantial
• For businesses costing over $1 million, an investment of at least 50-60% may be sufficient

The investment should also be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise and demonstrate the investor's commitment.

Our E-2 Visa Services

JZ Law Group provides comprehensive legal services for the E-2 visa process, including:

• Evaluating eligibility for E-2 classification
• Advising on investment structure and amount
• Developing business plans and financial projections
• Documenting the source and path of investment funds
• Preparing comprehensive investment documentation
• Drafting employment and operational plans
• Preparing and filing the E-2 visa application
• E-2 visa extensions and renewals
• Dependent visa applications for family members
• Transitioning to other visa categories or green card options

Advantages of the E-2 Visa

The E-2 visa offers several advantages for investors:

• No minimum investment amount specified by law (though it must be "substantial")
• Can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate
• Spouses of E-2 visa holders may apply for work authorization
• Children under 21 years can attend school in the U.S.
• Relatively quick processing times compared to immigrant visas
• Ability to travel freely in and out of the U.S.
• Option to hire key employees from the same country as "essential employees"

E-2 Visa Process and Timeline

The E-2 visa application process typically involves the following steps:

1. Making or finalizing the investment in the U.S. business
2. Preparing a comprehensive visa application with supporting documentation
3. Submitting the application to the U.S. consulate in the investor's home country
4. Attending a visa interview at the consulate
5. Upon approval, entering the U.S. to operate the business

E-2 visas are typically granted for 2-5 years initially, depending on the treaty country, and can be renewed as long as the business continues to meet the requirements.

Why Choose JZ Law Group for Your E-2 Case

Our firm has extensive experience helping investors establish businesses in the United States through the E-2 visa program. We understand the complex requirements for demonstrating a substantial investment and developing a viable business plan. Our attorneys work closely with you to structure your investment appropriately, document your financial resources, and present a compelling case to immigration authorities.