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E2 Investor Visa: All You Need to Know from An Expert’s Perspective

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Date Published: June 10, 2020 | Date Updated: September 4th, 2023
By June 10, 2020 September 4th, 2023 No Comments

Many have long considered the United States the holy grail of immigration. And while the perception of the American Dream may have changed since the 1950s when the term was first coined, interest in immigrating and living in the US remains monumental.  

The US immigration system is complex and offers various routes to America, so some programs may not get a lot of attention, and among those immigration programs is the US E2 Visa.

What is the E2 Visa?

The E2 Visa is a non-immigrant, treaty visa that the US has open for a select number of nationalities. This is based on a treaty signed between the US and other countries, and its exclusivity is the primary reason many have not heard about the E2.  

As a non-immigrant visa, the E2 does not lead its holders to a Green Card, as they have the right to live, work, and study in the US as residents, but they can never qualify for a Green Card or US citizenship if they remain on their E2 Visa. But there are still indirect routes to reaching a Green Card, but more on that later.

The E2 is primarily a work visa, and it is open to three types of applicants: 

  • Investors who establish a business within the US
  • Essential Managers who are critical to a business’ success
  • Essential Employees who are vital to the business’ operations

The most common of these is the investor, as it is the easiest route to obtaining an E2 Visa as the qualification criteria are clearer and easier to achieve. 

To qualify for an E2 Visa, an investor must: 

  • Be over the age of 18
  • Be a national of a treaty country
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Establish a business in the US or become a majority shareholder (51%) in an existing one
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For more than a century, the United States has been the world’s economic powerhouse.

There is no minimum investment amount, and even though we advise clients to invest at least $100,000 to $150,000 into the business, the bottom line is that the investment amount must correspond to the company’s operations.

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For example, a manufacturing plant would need at least ten times that investment amount, while a boutique marketing firm may require less. In essence, the capital invested must make financial sense in correlation to the company’s scope of operations.  

As of 2023, the nationals of 44 countries qualify for the E2 Visa; these countries are:

Citizenship by investment - Savory & Partners

It is worth noting that two countries from the list, Grenada and Turkey, have Citizenship by Investment Programs. However, the US introduced new legislation in 2022 stating that for an investor who obtained Grenadian or Turkish citizenship by investment to qualify for an E2, he must have lived for at least three years on Grenadian or Turkish soil.

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This means that investors who are not on the list can still qualify by obtaining a second citizenship, but it will take more time to do so, and in this case, it is possibly better to apply directly for an EB5 visa.

What is the Validity of the E2 Visa, & How Can It Lead to US Citizenship? 

The validity of the E2 Visa differs from one treaty country to the next. For example, Egyptians and Jordanians qualify for a one or two-year, single-entry E2 Visa, meaning that if they leave the country, they must apply for it again.  

Grenadians and Turks, meanwhile, qualify for a five-year multiple entry visa and only need to apply for renewal once the visa expires. So, understanding the validity of the E2 for a specific nation and planning accordingly is crucial.

As for how the E2 can lead to US citizenship, it can’t, not directly, anyway. But there is an indirect route, which requires E2 Visa holders to switch to an immigrant visa or petition for a Green Card through an alternate route. 

There are four ways that E2 Holders can obtain a Green Card, which are:

  • Switching to an EB5 Visa
  • Switching to an H-1B Visa
  • Self-petitioning for a Green Card through the National Interest Waiver
  • Petitioning for a Green Card through Marriage

What is the Process for Getting An E2 Investor Visa? 

The E2 Visa has a very simplified process. It is important to note, though, that applicants can apply to two different US government entities: the USCIS and the Department of State (DOS). 

The USCIS only accepts E2 applications from within the US, so a person must be physically available for the entire processing time to obtain their E2 Visa.

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The DOS, however, offers a simpler solution, as investors can apply for the E2 from any embassy throughout the world. The DOS also provides priority process of three weeks in most of its embassies in exchange for a small fee (normally around $2,000). It also boasts a lower rejection rate than the USCIS.  

The steps to obtaining an E2 are simple enough: 

  • An investor must set up their business in the US. Including registering the company, obtaining all the required licenses and certifications, renting or owning an address, and opening a corporate bank account. 
  • Once the company is set up, an investor must transfer the capital and get the company running. It is always better to have direct input and active management before applying, so doing so on a business visit visa is recommended.
  • An investor then collects the required documentation and books an appointment at an embassy or the USCIS to apply.
  • An investor then obtains their E2 Visa and can live and work within the US.
Citizenship by investment - Savory & Partners

As for how the E2 can lead to US citizenship, it can’t, not directly. However, there is an indirect route, which requires E2 Visa holders to switch to an immigrant visa or petition for a Green Card through an alternate route.

Benefits 

The E2 has a wide set of benefits, including: 

  • The addition of family members
  • The possible addition of extended family members 
  • A quick and simple process
  • Access to the US market
  • Excellent healthcare and education
  • Indirect route to US Green Card
  • No physical residence requirement

How Do I Start?

The journey to getting your E2 Visa starts with a very simple step, all you need to do is contact Savory & Partners to book a comprehensive consultation with one of our experts who will give you all the details you need and guide you through the process. 

 

Apply Today

 

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Jeremy Savory

About Jeremy Savory

Jeremy Savory, the founder and CEO of Savory and Partners, runs one of the world’s leading HNW citizenship by investment firms. The second passport company has coverage in over 20 jurisdictions including Europe.

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