The E-2 Visa: Your Guide to Investing and Living in the United States

If you’re an entrepreneur or investor from a treaty country looking to expand your business into the U.S., the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa could be your gateway to building a life and company in America. This non-immigrant visa allows individuals to live in the U.S. while developing and directing a business in which they’ve made a substantial investment.

At Maimone Legal, we specialize in E-2 visas and have a dedicated business plan department to ensure every aspect of your petition is complete, strategic, and compelling.

What Is the E-2 Visa?
● A non-immigrant visa for investors from countries with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation.
● Allows you to live and work in the U.S. to manage and grow your business.
● Renewable indefinitely, as long as the business remains active and compliant.

E-2 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an E-2 visa, you must:
● Be a citizen of a treaty country
● Invest a substantial amount of capital in a real and operating U.S. business
● Be entering the U.S. to develop and direct the business
● Show that the investment is at risk and committed to the business
● Demonstrate that the business will generate more than marginal income, benefiting the U.S. economy

Minimum Investment

There is no fixed dollar amount, but most successful E-2 petitions include an investment of at least $100,000–$150,000 USD, depending on the nature of the business.

What matters most is that the investment is:

● Proportional to the business size and type
● Large enough to ensure the business is operational and competitive
● Fully traceable to legitimate sources

Timeline & Processing

● Business setup and document preparation: 1–3 months
● Visa application & consular interview: 2–4 months
● Total processing time: Approx. 3–6 months

E-2 Visa Checklist

● Proof of nationality from a treaty country
● Corporate documents for your U.S. business (LLC, EIN, bank account, lease, etc.)
● Proof of lawful and traceable investment funds
● A comprehensive business plan (5-year projections, market analysis, hiring plan)
● Job creation and economic benefit evidence
● Personal documents (passport, resume, etc.)

Why the Business Plan Matters

One of the most critical components of your E-2 application is the business plan. It must demonstrate:

● Business viability and long-term sustainability
● Job creation and growth
● Revenue projections and reinvestment strategy
● Industry research and market opportunity

At Maimone Legal, we have an in-house business plan team that creates E-2-specific plans tailored to your business concept and immigration goals. This ensures your application is complete, detailed, and investor-ready.

How Maimone Legal Can Help

Our team has successfully helped investors from around the world secure their E-2 visas. Here’s how we support you:

● Determine if your business idea qualifies
● Structure and register your U.S. company
● Guide you through the investment process
● Build a strong, customized business plan
● File and monitor your E-2 petition
● Prepare you for your consular interview
● Support you post-approval with renewals and compliance

Start Your E-2 Journey Today

Get Started with Confidence
If you’re ready to sponsor a family member or are unsure where to begin, our team is here to support you.

Book a call with us at https://calendly.com/maimone-legal-intake-team/initial-consultation to begin the process. You can also visit

www.movetotheusa.ca for more information and resources.

Disclaimer: This checklist is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. To

receive guidance tailored to your specific case, please contact Maimone Legal directly.