E-2 visa consultants for investors building a U.S. business
An E-2 case is approved or refused on the strength of the business behind it. We help treaty investors choose or buy that business, document the investment and source of funds, and prepare a consulate-format business plan. Independent immigration attorneys in our partner network prepare and file the visa.
Initial 30-minute consultation without charge. We review your goals, budget and business options and outline the scope and fees of an engagement. Response within one business day.
- Minimum investment
- None set by law; must be substantial for the business
- Eligible nationalities
- 80 treaty countries
- Stay per entry
- Up to 2 years, renewable without a limit
- Spouse
- May work in any job (E-2S status)
- Children under 21
- Live and study in the U.S.
- E-2 visas issued, FY2024
- 55,324
Sources: 9 FAM 402.9, USCIS, U.S. Department of State FY2024 visa statistics.
- E-2 approval rate on businesses we built¹
- 99%
- businesses launched in 20+ states
- 150+
- of client capital placed in U.S. businesses
- $15M+
- from first call to an operating business
- 4 to 8 months
¹ Visa filings by independent partner attorneys. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
What an E-2 case has to prove
Consular officers and USCIS apply the same six tests from the Foreign Affairs Manual and 8 CFR 214.2(e). Each one is decided by evidence about the business, not by the application form.
Treaty nationality
You hold citizenship of one of the countries with an E-2 treaty, and treaty nationals own at least 50% of the business.
Treaty countries list 02Substantial investment
No fixed minimum. The amount is measured against the cost of the specific business, and it must be committed and at risk.
How much to invest 03Real, operating business
An active company that sells goods or services. Rental property, land and stock portfolios do not qualify.
E-2 business options 04More than marginal
The business must be able to do more than support your family, usually by hiring U.S. workers within five years.
What the business plan must show 05Control of the enterprise
You develop and direct it through at least 50% ownership or operational control.
Ownership and control rules 06Lawful source of funds
Every dollar is traced from its origin, such as savings, a property sale or a gift, to the U.S. business account.
Source of fundsWe build the business your E-2 case rests on
One team handles the business side end to end and coordinates the legal side with licensed attorneys, CPAs and brokers.
E-2 business consulting
Business selection, investment structure, launch plan and documentation built around the E-2 criteria.
Learn moreE-2 business plans
Consulate-format plans with five-year projections and a hiring plan, written from your real numbers.
Learn moreBusiness acquisition
Search, due diligence, valuation and deal structure, including escrow tied to visa approval.
Learn morePartner attorney network
Independent licensed immigration attorneys prepare and file the visa. You engage them directly; we coordinate.
Learn moreTealBridge Consulting is a business consulting firm, not a law firm. Legal services, including immigration filings, are provided by independent licensed attorneys in our partner network under their own engagement agreements.
Six stages from first call to an operating E-2 business
Each stage has a defined scope, a responsible party and a timeframe.
- Step 1One call
Goals and eligibility review
Citizenship, budget, source of capital and readiness to run a business. A partner immigration attorney assesses visa eligibility.
- Step 21 to 15 days
Business selection
Three or four real options with numbers: acquisition targets, franchise concepts or a startup model matched to your budget, state and skills.
- Step 32 to 4 months
Investment and launch
Entity, bank account, investment transfer, licenses, lease and first hires. The business plan is written from these real numbers at the same time.
- Step 4About 1 month
E-2 documentation
Corporate documents, investment records reconciled to bank statements, source-of-funds trail and proof the business operates.
- Step 51 to 3 sessions
Filing and interview preparation
Your partner immigration attorney prepares and files the application. We make sure you can explain every number in your plan.
- Step 6Ongoing
Growth and renewal
Support until the business has clients and revenue, and updated plans and financials when your attorney prepares a renewal.
Check where you stand before you invest
E-2 eligibility checker
Eight questions on nationality, investment, ownership, business type, funds and marginality, with a result for each criterion.
%Investment calculator
See how much of your money counts as invested and how it compares with the cost of the business.
80Treaty country lookup
Searchable list of every E-2 treaty country with the number of E-2 visas issued to each nationality in FY2024.
55,324 E-2 visas issued in fiscal year 2024
Official State Department figures by nationality, including investors, employees and family members. Asia accounted for 27,159 and Europe for 17,272. Changes of status approved inside the U.S. by USCIS are counted separately.
E-2 statistics and approval factors- Japan15,521
- Korea (South)6,778
- Canada6,747
- Germany3,902
- France3,574
- China (Taiwan)2,921
- United Kingdom2,720
- Italy1,531
- Mexico1,514
- Spain1,438
Source: U.S. Department of State, Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Nationality, FY2024.
Everything about the E-2, checked against the official rules
Each guide cites the Foreign Affairs Manual, USCIS and State Department sources and shows the date it was last reviewed.
Businesses our clients built
"We truly feel lucky that on our difficult journey we met you. You supported us and never let us give up. And thanks to you and your team - we made it!"
"Yesterday we received the original approval notices for the change of status to E-2 for our whole family. Huge gratitude to you and your team for your professionalism!"
"I literally cried from happiness. Thank you for your help and support throughout the entire process. You played a huge role in our journey - from recommending lawyers to always being on our side."
Businesses we built supported a 99% E-2 approval rate (filings by independent partner attorneys).
¹ Visa filings by independent partner attorneys. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
E-2 visa questions we hear most
This article is general information and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
What is an E-2 visa?
The E-2 treaty investor visa lets a national of a treaty country live in the U.S. to develop and direct a business in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. It is a nonimmigrant visa that can be renewed for as long as the business keeps qualifying.
How much do I need to invest for an E-2 visa?
The law sets no minimum. Officers compare your investment with the total cost of the business: a low-cost business is expected to be funded close to 100%, a more expensive one can qualify with a lower share. Most of our clients invest $100,000 or more.
Which countries qualify for the E-2?
80 countries currently have E-2 treaty status, including Japan, Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Mexico, Turkey, Israel and, since March 2024, Portugal. India, mainland China, Brazil and Russia do not.
How long does it take to get an E-2 visa?
Building the business and the evidence usually takes two to six months. After filing, consular processing depends on the embassy, and USCIS premium processing for a change of status takes 15 business days.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive E-2 status regardless of their nationality. Your spouse may work in any job; children may attend school and university but may not work.
Does TealBridge file my visa application?
No. TealBridge is a business consulting firm, not a law firm. Your E-2 application is prepared and filed by an independent licensed immigration attorney from our partner network, whom you engage directly. We build and document the business the application rests on.
Can the E-2 lead to a green card?
Not directly, because the E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa. Investors often move to a green card later through EB-5, EB-1C or EB-2 NIW, or through family. Plan the sequence with your attorney, since immigrant intent affects E-2 renewals.
Request an initial consultation
Share your citizenship, investment budget and timeline. A TealBridge consultant responds within one business day to arrange a 30-minute call on your goals, suitable business directions and the scope and fees of an engagement.
- WhatsApp or call
- +1 (929) 213-1104
- client@tealbridge.us
- Based in
- Dallas, TX. Clients worldwide.