IMI Logo Black

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

This Page is Sponsored by:

Program Type:

Active Investor Visa

Processing Time:

3 months

Citizenship Timeline:

N/A

Permanent Residency Timeline:

N/A

Physical Presence Required:

None

Citizenship Visa-Free Access:

185 countries

Minimum Contribution:

US$150,000

Contribution Options:

Business Investment

Contact a Specialist
On This Page
United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa IMI

Program Overview

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

The US E2 visa is a special class of non-immigrant visa available to citizens of E2 Treaty signatory countries (see complete list).

Because it is a non-immigrant visa, an E2 visa does not, in itself, provide a path to permanent residency (green card) or citizenship in the United States. It does, however, enable the applicant to open, own, and manage a business in the US.

Nearly half a million entrepreneurs, the majority of which have been from European countries and Japan, have entered the US on E2 visas since 2008.

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

How to Qualify

Though there are no formal minimum investment requirements, it is generally acknowledged that those who would qualify for an E2 visa must invest at least US$150,000 in a bona fide enterprise in the United States.

The investment and applicant must seek to enter the United States solely to develop and direct the investment enterprise.

The applicant must have 50% ownership or more of the enterprise or possession of operational control through a managerial position or other corporate device.

Dependent spouses and unmarried children who are under 21 years of age may be included.

There is no limit to the number of extensions an E-2 nonimmigrant may be granted.

A US$1,475 government fee for application and processing for all applicants applies.

All applicants between 13 and 80 years old must conduct a visa interview at a US Embassy.

Contact a Specialist

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Salient Benefits

  • Provides residential access to the US without necessarily making the investor a tax resident
  • Enhanced education opportunities
  • Enhanced business access to large economies
  • Short processing time
  • English as official language

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Citizenship Timeline and Requirements

Under the E-2 Investor Visa, the applicant is unable to qualify for a Green Card and therefore cannot naturalize for citizenship. The applicant will need to change his immigration visa status after receiving the E-2. This can be done in various ways including being employed and sponsored by a company in the US, marrying a US citizen or Green Card holder, obtaining a Green Card through a family member, or upgrading your E-2 to the EB-5 visa.

After the applicant changes his visa status, and then obtains his Green Card it will take 5 years to naturalization as a US citizen, during which you need to be physically present in the country for 30 months.

Prospective citizens must pass a citizenship test and command the English language to be naturalized. If both tests are passed, the applicant takes an oath of allegiance on the day of receiving their citizenship certificate.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Program Authority and Legal Basis

Applications for this program may be directed to U.S Citizenship and Immigraton Services.

Legislation upon which this program is based U.S. law (see paragraph 101(a)(15)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act).

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

IMI Pros Who Can Help You

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Qualifying Real Estate

As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:

“The Industry Has Had a Good Run”: Investment Migration People in the News This Week

Antigua and Dominica PMs Respond to US Travel Ban

New Zealand Reverses Foreign Buyer Ban for Luxury Properties

Portugal’s Constitutional Court Strikes Down Four Nationality Law Provisions

Confirmed: Norway Quietly Denying Entry to CBI Passport Holders

What Comes After Golden Visas: The Rise of Smarter Residency Options

Russia Scraps Golden Visa Stay Requirement

Ando Living: Redefining Europe’s Serviced Apartments Market

“Escape the US”: 10 On The Weekend with Dan Merriam

Panama Govt Promise Low-Presence Path to Citizenship for Investors

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Recent Stories About This Destination

United States E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Program Statistics

See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.

Contact a Specialist

Explore Other Programs