Visas & Advice Detail
E-2 (Business/Investor visas)
For those looking to invest into an American business, take a look at the E-2 as it might be your way into the States
Key requirements
The E-2 treaty investor visa requires the applicant to make a 'substantial' investment (usually at least $100,000) into a working business. The business will have to meet certain obligations such as providing for the investor and their family, creating employment opportunities for American citizens, meeting its payroll and financial obligations and, ideally, making a profit for the government to tax.
Processing time
E-2 visa applications were the source of some controversy at the beginning of 2006 with applications taking up to 16 months to process. However, officially, if the application is correct the process takes 6–9 months. The E-2 visa is a temporary visa. This means that it must be renewed every 3–5 years. This means that any business must continue to perform well and meet the criteria or the visa will not be renewed.
Alternatives
Eb-5: requires A minumum investment of $500,000 or $1,000,000 which creates or stimulates employment for us citizens. The only visa to confer immediate permanent residency on the applicant.
E-1: treaty trader for international traders.
For further information:
US Embassy
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