The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is a viable alternative to the Immigrant Investor Visa (EB-5), which is more challenging to obtain.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Benefits
As an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa holder:
- You may be self-employed if your work is in furtherance of a qualifying investment.
- You may remain in the United States for as long as you like if you maintain the qualifying investment and the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa status.
- You do not have to maintain any ties with your home country.
- Your spouse and dependent children, who are unmarried and under the age of 21, may come to the U.S. with you and remain so long as your E-2 Treaty Investor Visa status remains intact.
They will hold the same status as you (E-2), even if they’re from a non-treaty country.
How to Qualify for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
To qualify for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa:
- You must be from a country with a treaty of Freedom, Commerce, and Navigation (FCN) with the United States.
- You must make an investment in a U.S. business with the goal of turning a profit.
- Your investment must be a risk, meaning it could be lost.
- You must control your investment.
- The funds you invest must not be able to pull the funds out of the U.S.
- Your investment must be in a real business, not merely stock investments or an investment in undeveloped land.
- Your investment must not be marginal, meaning it must generate more profits than is needed just to support you and your family.
- Your investment must either provide jobs or otherwise create a positive significant impact on the local economy.
- You must own at least 50% of the business and can develop, control, and direct the business.
- You must intend to depart from the United States when your E-2 Non-Immigrant Treaty Investor Visa status is terminated.This doesn’t mean you have to leave the U.S. if your visa remains in effect; it just means you have to commit to leaving if your visa is terminated. E-2 Non-Immigrant Treaty Investor Visa holders might stay in the U.S. forever.
For additional free information
We have an e-book available for immediate download the gives an overview of the E-2 Treaty Trader Visa. The link below will take you to our webpage that will explain what information is in the e-book, and access to download the book.
Where to Get Help Qualifying for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
This article provides general educational legal information on the benefits of and qualifications for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. To determine whether the E-2 Visa is appropriate for you and your family, consult with a qualified immigration lawyer.
Our law firm focuses our legal practice on immigration law and, specifically, we guide foreign nationals who wish to live, work, and invest in the United States through the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa application process. Your next step is to contact our immigration attorneys at 513-793-6555 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.