The Complete E-2 Investor Visa Guide

The E-2 investor visa allows foreign investors to enter into and work in the US. It is an opportunity that allows nationals of foreign countries reside in the US while managing their own business. If this is your dream, this E-2 investor visa guide can help you actualize it.

The E-2 treaty investor visa is specially reserved for nationals of countries that have a treaty of Trade and Commerce with the US. Individuals that qualify under the E-2 visa get to enjoy several benefits such as free travel in and out of the US, unlimited two-year extensions and the company of their spouse, kids and relatives. Your employee can also qualify under your E-2 investor visa although they must:

• Be a citizen of the same treaty country as you
• Be an employee as defined by the US Legal Code
• Be necessary for the fulfilment of the business

However, there are a lot of requirements that you must satisfy in order to qualify for the E-2 investor visa. This E-2 investor visa guide will outline the major requirements you have to pass and how you can ace them to qualify for your E-2 investor visa.

Requirements under the E-2 Investor visa guide

In order to qualify for the E-2 investor visa, you need to satisfy the following requirements:

National of a treaty country

You need to be a national of a treaty country before you can even be considered for the E-2 investor visa. Treaty countries are countries that have a treaty of Trade and Commerce with the US. You can check here to see if your country qualifies.

Bona fide enterprise

The business you intend to invest in must be a bona fide enterprise. It doesn’t matter if you want to start one from scratch or buy an existing business, your investment must pass muster. Some of the evidence you can submit to show that your business is bona fide includes:

• Financial statements
• Tax returns
• Business licenses
• Lease agreements
• Escrow documents

Substantial investment

Your investment must be sufficient to assure the successful operation of the business. It must not be marginal or too little to make a significant economic contribution. You can prepare a business plan to show the projected success of your investment in the business.

Investment must be at risk

This means that your funds must be irrevocably committed to the enterprise. If you can let the investment go without losing anything, then you are unlikely to qualify. To ace this requirement, you can show that you have committed your personal funds to the enterprise as well as the amount of money that you have spent towards the business.

Real operating enterprise

The enterprise must offer tangible goods or services. Investments in stock or real estate don’t qualify. Instead, you can show investment in enterprises like restaurants and other service providing franchises.

Develop and direct

You must be going to the US to develop and direct the business, either as a principal investor or at least as a high powered employee or executive. You can demonstrate this by showing that you own at least 50% of the business.

Business plan

There is no official requirement for a business plan. However, it is very useful to show the projected economic impact your business will have on the US. This is one of the important things that the USCIS is interested in seeing.