Nonimmigrant work visa for nationals of countries with treaties of commerce and navigation
The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows nationals of countries with a commerce and navigation treaty with the United States to enter and work in the US based on a substantial investment in a US business. Unlike H-1B, there's no annual cap — you can file year-round. Spouses can work under E-2 dependent status.
Duration: Typically 2–5 years (varies by country), renewable indefinitely as long as the business remains operational.
Not sure E-2 is the right visa for your situation? Our free AI quiz analyzes your profile against 17+ US visa types and recommends the best fit for you.
| Region | Examples |
|---|---|
| Europe | UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden |
| Asia-Pacific | Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan |
| Americas | Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia |
| Middle East | Israel, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan |
| Africa/South Asia | Cameroon, Congo, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Pakistan |
Full list: State Department Treaty Countries List
Check if your country still holds treaty status — Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Moldova have had status changes in recent years.
The investment must be:
There is no fixed minimum dollar amount — USCIS evaluates each case individually. Generally $50,000–$100,000+ is considered substantial, but lower amounts have been approved for smaller businesses with high capitalization potential.
The capital must be genuinely at risk, subject to loss in the enterprise. Passive investments (like buying stock in a company where you have no operational role) do not qualify.
The business must:
Qualifying: tech startups, restaurants, consulting firms, retail stores, professional practices.
Borderline: purely passive investments, unlicensed home-based businesses.
Employees of the treaty investor can also qualify for E-2 if they are the same nationality as the employer and the work qualifies as executive/supervisory or highly specialized.
If you're already in the US on another visa (H-1B, L-1, F-1), you may be able to change status to E-2. Key considerations:
| Route | Processing Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Consular (abroad) | 2–6 weeks (varies by embassy) | $315 MRV fee |
| Change of status (US) | 3–6 months (premium: 15 days) | $460 I-907 premium |
Free AI-powered assessment of treaty country eligibility, investment threshold, and change of status options.
Check My E-2 Eligibility →Yes — smaller, well-structured businesses with lower overhead and clear profitability projections have been approved with investments under $50,000. The key is proportional relationship and marginal return test.
E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa with no direct path to permanent residence. However, you can transition to other pathways (EB-5, EB-1, employer-sponsored) while on E-2 status.
Yes. E-2 dependent spouses (E-2S) can apply for work authorization (EAD) and work for any US employer without sponsorship.
USVisaStack provides AI-generated analysis for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.