# E2 Visa

Source: https://www.savoryandpartners.com/programs/business-migration/usa/e-2 · Updated: 2026-10-13

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## United States of America E2 Visa

The E-2 treaty-investor route is available to nationals of qualifying treaty countries who invest, or are actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide U.S. enterprise and seek to develop and direct that enterprise. There is no fixed statutory minimum investment.

## Main Applicant Requirements

- National of a qualifying E-2 treaty country
- Invest, or be actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital
- Investment capital must be committed and at risk in a real, operating U.S. enterprise
- Own at least 50% of the enterprise or otherwise possess operational control
- Enterprise must be more than marginal, or have capacity for significant economic impact
- Enter the United States to develop and direct the enterprise
- Intend to depart the United States when E-2 status ends
- If you acquired your treaty-country nationality through financial investment and have not previously been granted E status, you must also have been domiciled in that country continuously for at least three years at some point before applying

## Eligible Dependents

- Spouse of the main applicant
- Unmarried children under the age of 21

## United States of America E2 Visa Benefits

## Renewable Temporary Status

E-2 is a nonimmigrant classification and does not itself provide a Green Card or citizenship. E-2 status may be extended in increments of up to two years while eligibility continues; permanent residence requires a separate immigrant basis.

## Business & Spouse Work Rights

The principal investor may work only in the qualifying E-2 enterprise. A dependent spouse in valid E-2S status is employment authorised incident to status.

## Case-Dependent Processing

Consular processing and interview availability vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate and by individual case. No universal 4-6 month government timeframe applies.

## Family Inclusion

A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany or follow the principal applicant in derivative E-2 status.

## No Fixed Minimum Investment

There is no fixed dollar minimum. The investment must be substantial relative to the cost of purchasing or establishing the enterprise and sufficient to support its successful operation.

## Legal Basis

The E-2 treaty-investor classification is authorised under section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and regulated at 8 CFR §214.2(e). It allows qualifying treaty-country nationals to enter or remain temporarily in the United States to develop and direct a bona fide enterprise in which they have invested, or are actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital. Eligibility depends on treaty nationality, ownership/control, the investment and enterprise requirements, and nonimmigrant intent.

## Costs of United States of America E2 Visa

There is no fixed E-2 investment minimum. The investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of purchasing or establishing the qualifying enterprise.

## Associated Costs

Applicants seeking an E-2 visa outside the United States generally use Department of State consular processing. USCIS Form I-129 / I-539 fees apply to certain change or extension-of-status filings inside the United States and should not be presented as standard consular E-2 costs. Please note that Asylum Program Fee: $600 regular petitioner / $300 small employer / $0 nonprofit.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| FORM I-129 (E-2, where applicable) | $1,015 regular petitioner / $510 small employer or nonprofit + applicable Asylum Program Fee |
| FORM I-539 | $470 paper / $420 online, where applicable |
| FORM I-907 PREMIUM PROCESSING FOR E-2 I-129 | $2,965 |
| E-VISA APPLICATION FEE | $315 |

## Application Process For United States of America E2 Visa

Applicants outside the United States generally apply for an E-2 visa through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Interview availability and case-processing times vary by post and individual case. Applicants already in the United States who are eligible to request a change or extension of E-2 status use USCIS procedures; approval of E-2 status does not itself issue a visa.

1. Confirm the applicant’s treaty nationality and preliminary E-2 eligibility.
2. Establish or acquire a bona fide U.S. enterprise and confirm the required treaty-country ownership / control structure.
3. Invest, or irrevocably commit, a substantial amount of capital. The funds must be placed at risk in the enterprise.
4. Prepare evidence of nationality, ownership/control, the investment, the source and control of funds, business operations and the enterprise’s ability to meet the non-marginality test.
5. Complete Form DS-160. Form DS-156E is also required where applicable for an E-2 executive, manager or essential employee.
6. Pay the E visa application fee and follow the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s instructions for submitting the E-2 package and scheduling the interview.
7. Attend the visa interview and provide any additional evidence requested by the consular officer.
8. If approved, the E-2 visa is issued subject to the applicable nationality-specific reciprocity schedule and any issuance fee.
9. Travel to the United States and seek admission in E-2 status. The principal investor then develops and directs the qualifying enterprise.
10. Maintain the qualifying enterprise and investment. A new visa or extension of status may be requested while eligibility continues; E-2 itself does not provide permanent residence.

## PROCESSING TIME

Varies by post / individual case

## Client Success Stories

### Business Expansion in the UK

**The Challenge**

A Palestinian business owner based in Dubai approached us with a key challenge: He was thriving in the UAE but had big dreams of expanding his business into Europe, starting with the UK. The problem? As a majority shareholder in his company, he didn’t qualify for the sole representative visa—the usual pathway for this kind of situation.

To make matters worse, the sole representative visa program was discontinued just as he came to us in May 2022. Still, our client was determined to make it work, and we knew we had to find a solution.

**Our Solution**

After hearing his story and understanding his goals, we recommended the UK Expansion Worker Visa. This visa is perfect for senior managers or specialists who want to set up a branch of their company in the UK. It wasn’t going to be easy, but we saw his potential and got to work.

**Here’s what we did: **we helped him collect all the right evidence to prove that his business in the UAE was not only thriving but ready to take on the UK market. We showed the authorities past and upcoming projects with UK clients, making it clear that a UK branch wasn’t just a nice idea—it was a necessity.

**The Result**

Thanks to the solid case we built, our client got the visa. Now, he’s setting up his UK branch and taking his business to the next level. But that’s not all. This visa also opens the door for him to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years.

And because he’s eyeing even bigger opportunities across Europe, we’re also helping him acquire a Caribbean passport. With that, he’ll have visa-free access to over 150 countries—making his global expansion dreams a reality.

_Why Choose the UK Expansion Worker Visa?_

The UK Expansion Worker Visa lets you stay in the UK for one of two durations—whichever comes first:

- **12 months** from the start date of the job listed on your certificate of sponsorship, or
- The duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship, **plus an extra 14 days**.

If you need more time, you can extend it for another 12 months, up to a total of two years under this visa.

## Download brochure

- Length: 4 pages
- Language: English & Arabic
- size: 1 mb

**Content**
- United States of America Country profile
- Benefits of the program
- Investment requirements
- Investment process

## About E2 Visa

- CAPITAL: Washington, D.C.
- TOTAL AREA: 9.9 million km²
- POPULATION: 343.9 million
- LANGUAGE(S): English
- CURRENCY: USD ($)
- EXCHANGE RATE: $1 = €0.88
- GDP – PER CAPITA (2025): $89,110
- GDP – TOTAL (2025): $30.51 trillion

### About the United States of America

The United States of America consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territories, nine minor outlying islands and 326 Native American reservations. It is the third-largest country in the world by both land and total area. The United States shares land borders with Canada to its north and with Mexico to its south. It has maritime borders with the Bahamas, Cuba, Russia, and other nations. With a population of over 330 million, it is the most populous country in the Americas and the third most populous in the world. The national capital is Washington, D.C., and the most populous city and financial center is New York City.

The United States is a highly developed country, and its economy accounts for approximately a quarter of global GDP and is the world's largest by GDP at market exchange rates. The United States is a nation of pioneers and explorers, immigrants and adventurers. The United States has long been known over the world as the land of opportunity, with its rich and diverse culture and one of the strongest currencies in the world.

### Where is the United States of America?

The United States of America is located in North America, like Canada, its neighbor to the north, and Mexico, its neighbor to the south.