Looking to start a business in the U.S. as a foreign entrepreneur or investor? The E-2 visa offers a practical way to make that happen if you're from a treaty country.

This guide breaks down the five key requirements for securing an E-2 visa, giving you a clear path through the often tricky immigration process. By grasping these core elements, you can set up a solid business in the U.S. and even secure long-term residency for yourself and your family.

If you're eager to tap into the U.S. market, knowing these E-2 visa requirements is your first step to building a legitimate business presence. Let's dive into the specifics and turn complex rules into simple, actionable steps for your success.

Why E-2 visa requirements matter for global entrepreneurs

The E-2 visa opens doors for foreign entrepreneurs to operate businesses in the world's largest economy. Unlike other visa types with strict investment amounts or long wait times, the E-2 provides flexibility and the ability to renew your status. With this visa, you can bring essential team members, create jobs for U.S. workers, and grow a business that adds real value to the American economy.

To succeed, you need to align your investment, business operations, and legal requirements carefully. When you understand these elements, you position yourself to seize market opportunities while ensuring a stable immigration status for your family. Since the E-2 visa can be renewed, it supports long-term business growth, making it a smart choice for serious investors looking to expand in the U.S.

Start your E-2 visa petition today. Get a free assessment from Jumpstart Immigration.

1. Treaty country nationality: Your starting point for E-2 eligibility

Your eligibility for an E-2 visa starts with your nationality. You must be a citizen of a country that has an E-2 treaty with the U.S. to apply. For example, in Latin America, countries like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay qualify, while Brazil does not have such a treaty. Check the list of treaty countries to confirm your eligibility here.

Eligibility hinges on your passport, not where you live. If you have dual citizenship, you can use a qualifying passport to apply, even if you reside elsewhere. This option offers flexibility for those with multiple nationalities through strategic passport use.

Jumpstart Immigration offers a detailed consultation to verify your nationality status, ensuring you meet treaty country requirements from the start. This step helps you move forward with confidence in your application.

2. Substantial investment: Showing your financial commitment

For an E-2 visa, you need to make a substantial investment in a U.S. business, though no specific dollar amount is required. Instead, officials use a proportionality test to weigh your invested capital against the total cost of the business as outlined in policy guidelines. Investments can range from $80,000 for service-based ventures to much higher amounts for businesses needing heavy capital.

Your investment must be "at risk," meaning it's actively used for business operations, not just sitting in an account per official criteria. You need to show funds going toward things like equipment, leases, payroll, or other operational costs.

Documentation is key. Provide bank statements, wire transfers, sales records, or loan agreements to prove where the money came from and how it's being used. Often, successful applicants invest 60 to 80 percent of startup costs before applying, balancing commitment with some reserve funds.

Businesses with low physical assets, like digital or consulting firms, face closer review. You'll need to show significant spending on staff, marketing, or tech infrastructure. Franchises often meet requirements more easily due to clear cost structures. Jumpstart Immigration helps clients organize their investments and documentation to meet these standards effectively.

3. Real and operating business: Proving active operations

Your E-2 visa depends on having a real, active business in the U.S. that generates goods or services for profit. Passive investments, like buying land or stocks, don't qualify. You must show a functioning operation with clear revenue potential.

To prove this, gather evidence of your business activity, such as: - A leased physical location. - Hired employees with payroll setup. - Contracts with suppliers or clients. - Business licenses and insurance. - Marketing efforts or a live website.

A solid business plan also matters. Include market analysis, staffing needs, financial forecasts, and growth goals. Keep projections realistic to maintain credibility with reviewers.

Early signs of operation, like initial sales or hiring staff, strengthen your case. Even small revenue or customer feedback shows your business is active. Jumpstart Immigration guides you in presenting this evidence to build a strong application.

4. Non-marginality: Making a broader economic impact

Your E-2 business must do more than just support you and your family. It needs to contribute to the U.S. economy in a meaningful way. This means showing that your business can generate significant income or create jobs beyond covering your personal needs.

Officials look at your business's potential, not just current results. Provide five-year financial forecasts, hiring plans, and growth strategies to show future impact. Creating jobs for U.S. workers is a strong indicator of economic contribution.

Make revenue projections realistic, based on industry data and market research. Niche or specialized businesses can highlight value through premium pricing or unique services. Hiring U.S. workers early, even before approval, shows immediate impact and commitment. Jumpstart Immigration helps craft business plans with achievable goals that meet these expectations.

5. Intent to depart: Balancing commitment with temporary status

Even though the E-2 visa allows for long-term stays, you must show intent to leave the U.S. when your visa expires. This requirement is less strict than for other non-immigrant visas, focusing on your plan to depart at the end of your status rather than on strong ties abroad.

Show connections to your home country through property, family, or business interests there. Maintaining bank accounts or ongoing operations in your home country can support your case without hindering your U.S. business focus.

The E-2 visa's renewability lets you stay in the U.S. for years as long as your business qualifies. This offers flexibility for growth and family life while keeping your non-immigrant status. Strategic planning, like avoiding permanent residency applications for family, helps maintain credibility. Jumpstart Immigration can advise on preserving this balance during your application.

Ready to begin your E-2 visa journey? Book a free consultation with Jumpstart Immigration.

How Jumpstart Immigration simplifies E-2 visa processing

Jumpstart Immigration uses a data-focused approach to boost your E-2 visa approval odds while cutting down on effort and cost. Our process combines AI tools, paralegal reviews, and attorney checks for accuracy. We also offer a full refund if your visa is denied, so you face no financial risk.

Our technology streamlines document creation and application prep, so you spend less time on paperwork. You get detailed checklists and ongoing support for a smoother experience. We focus on high-achieving professionals, especially from Latin American countries like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile, with services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Get started on your E-2 visa application. Schedule your free assessment today.

Common questions about E-2 visa requirements

What’s the minimum investment for an E-2 visa?

There’s no fixed minimum investment for an E-2 visa. Officials evaluate if your investment is substantial compared to the total cost of your business. For service-based startups, $80,000 to $150,000 might be enough if fully committed. Larger businesses often need more, depending on operational costs. The focus is on showing a significant portion of funds actively used in the business, not held in reserve.

Can my family join me on an E-2 visa?

Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can come with you as dependents, regardless of their nationality. Your spouse can apply for work authorization to take any job in the U.S. Children can attend school, but can’t work until they reach the legal age and gain proper status. Their stay matches yours, with freedom to travel in and out of the U.S.

How long does E-2 visa processing take?

Processing times for an E-2 visa depend on whether you apply through USCIS in the U.S. or at a consulate abroad. Consulate wait times vary from weeks to months based on appointment availability. Preparation can be sped up with good planning. Jumpstart Immigration can ready your petition in under two weeks if needed, helping you submit as soon as slots open.

What if my country lacks an E-2 treaty with the U.S.?

If your country doesn’t have an E-2 treaty with the U.S., you can’t qualify based on that nationality. However, if you hold dual citizenship from a treaty country, you can use that passport. Other options include the O-1 visa for exceptional talent, L-1 for company transfers, or green card routes like EB-1A or EB-2 NIW. Jumpstart Immigration can explore alternatives tailored to your goals.

What documents prove my investment is substantial and at risk?

To show your investment is substantial and at risk, submit detailed financial records. These include bank statements, wire transfers, escrow agreements tied to E-2 conditions, purchase invoices, lease contracts, payroll setups, and business formation papers. Prove the funds’ legal origin with income records or sale agreements. Show active use through vendor contracts or operational expenses, as funds must be committed, not just saved.

Build your U.S. business future with expert E-2 visa support

Meeting E-2 visa requirements takes careful planning, strong documentation, and a clear grasp of current approval trends. You can tackle each step on your own, but combining all five elements into a unified application greatly improves your chances. Expert support can make a big difference in navigating investment rules, business setup, economic impact, and paperwork.

Jumpstart Immigration uses a data-focused method to streamline the E-2 process, reducing your workload and financial worry. We offer payment plans in local currencies and a full refund if your visa isn’t approved, making the path to starting a U.S. business more accessible.

The E-2 visa is more than just a status. It gives access to a massive economy, supports family relocation, and allows renewable stays for long-term growth. If you’re from a treaty country with a solid investment and business plan, this visa offers valuable opportunities in the U.S. market.

Turn your business goals into U.S. success. Start your E-2 visa application with Jumpstart Immigration today.