How to Obtain the E-2 Visa for Foreign Investors

The E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa usually reserved for foreign investors who are nationals of countries that have a treaty of Trade and Commerce with the US. While it does not guarantee you permanent residence in the US, it can give you an opportunity to place yourself in a better position to secure a Green Card.

Once you qualify for residence in the US through the E-2 visa for foreign investors, you get to live and work in the US for up to 5 years on your initial visa while directing your very own business enterprise. This article provides you with everything you need to know about the E-2 visa and how to obtain it.

Features of the E-2 visa for foreign investors

• You get to work and live in the US, managing your own business enterprise and you can stay as long as the country of which you are a national maintains a treaty of Trade and Commerce.
• Your initial visa can last for up to 5 years. You can also apply for unlimited 2 year extensions to your visa. however, the length of the initial visa depends on your country of origin and the viability of your business.
• While in the US, you are restricted to working for the business or employer through which you obtained the E-2 visa.
• Visas are available for your spouse and unmarried children under 21.
• Every time you enter into the US, you receive a period of stay of up to 2 years. You can also extend your stay while you are in the US.
• Your spouse can also apply for a work permit once physically present in the US.

How can you qualify for the E-2 visa for foreign investors?

The best thing about applying for the E-2 visa is that there is no yearly cap on the number of applications that may be accepted. This means that there’s no limit to the number of E-2 visas that can be issued to applicants. All you have to do is scale the following requirements:

• You need to be a citizen of a country that has a treaty of Trade and Commerce with the US. You can check here to see if your country qualifies. Generally, you don’t have to be resident in your country of origin to qualify.
• You must either be the principal investor in the business or at least a key employee.
• The business must be actively involved in commercial activities in the US. It must provide more than enough profit to support your family and contribute to the economy of the US.
• You must be coming to work in a business that you either own or that has at least 50% of it owned by nationals of your country of origin.
• Your investment in the business must be substantial. Your assets must be at risk such that you cannot easily walk away without losing a thing.
• You must intend to leave the US when the business is completed. You may be asked to show eventual plans to leave the US.