Visa types / E-2
You're investing in America.
Be there to run it.
Build and run a U.S. business on your own investment — available to nationals of treaty countries, renewable as long as the business operates.
Attorney-reviewed, every case. A Thrive attorney reads your submission and gives you a straight answer — no coordinators, no portals.
Handled by specialists. Your petition is prepared by immigration attorneys with deep E-2 experience — immigration law, day in and day out.
Fast and async-first. Replies within one business day, in plain English — you keep building while the case comes together.
- Who
- Nationals of E-2 treaty countries
- The bar
- Substantial, at-risk investment
- Duration
- Renewable while the business runs
- Spouse
- Eligible for work authorization
Step 1 of 5
Real capital, genuinely at risk, in a business you develop and direct — renewable for as long as it runs.
Who it's for
The E-2 is a fit if…
You hold citizenship in an E-2 treaty country (availability depends on your nationality — we check first).
You're investing real, at-risk capital in a U.S. business you'll develop and direct.
You want an ownership-based path that doesn't depend on an employer or a lottery.
Not sure this is your category? That's normal — the right answer is often a sequence, not a single visa. Email us and a Thrive attorney will map your options.
How it actually works
The mechanics that matter
01
Treaty nationality
Eligibility follows your citizenship: the treaty list covers much of Europe, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and others — while some major countries, including India and China, are not on it.
02
Substantial investment
No fixed minimum — the investment must be proportionally substantial for the business and irrevocably committed, not parked in a bank account.
03
Develop and direct
You need at least 50% ownership or operational control, and the business must be real, active, and more than marginal — capable of supporting more than just you.
04
Essential employees
The E-2 also covers executive, supervisory, and essential-skills employees who share the treaty nationality of the owning company.
The process
From "does this fit?" to filed
- 1
Honest assessment
A Thrive attorney reviews your situation against this category — and the neighbors you might not have considered — and gives you a straight read.
- 2
Meet your legal team
Your case is staffed with an immigration attorney with deep experience in this category, working with Thrive. You'll know exactly who before you engage.
- 3
Evidence & filing
Your attorney assembles the record and files with USCIS or the consulate — async updates in plain English while you keep working.
- 4
Decision & next steps
When the decision lands we map what's next: extensions, family, travel, and the road to permanence where one exists.
FAQ
E-2 questions
How much do I need to invest?
There's no fixed statutory minimum — the investment must be "substantial" relative to the business and sufficient to make it operational. What counts is proportionality and that the funds are genuinely at risk.
My country isn't on the treaty list. Any options?
The E-2 is strictly nationality-based. If your country isn't covered, the conversation usually moves to O-1, L-1 (via a foreign entity), or investment-adjacent green-card paths — we'll map the alternatives honestly.
Does the E-2 lead to a green card?
Not directly — it's a nonimmigrant status without a built-in immigrant path. Founders on E-2 typically build toward EB-1A, NIW, or EB-5 in parallel.
How long does E-2 take?
Consulate-dependent — typically weeks to a few months for an interview. Changes of status inside the U.S. can be premium processed but complicate travel.
How long can I keep E-2 status?
Indefinitely in practice: visas are issued up to five years depending on the reciprocity schedule, and admissions/extensions continue as long as the business qualifies.
Can my spouse work on E-2?
Yes — E-2 spouses are considered work-authorized incident to status.
Can venture funding count as my investment?
The investment must be yours and at risk, so pure outside funding doesn't substitute for it — but structures exist. This is a design question worth solving before the filing, not after.
I'm from India/China — what are my options?
E-2 requires treaty nationality, so we'd look at O-1, L-1 via a foreign entity, or green-card categories directly. Some founders also qualify through a second citizenship where they genuinely hold one.
Start now
Get a straight answer on the E-2.
Tell us about your situation and a Thrive attorney will reply within one business day — free, with no obligation.