E2 Visa Investment Amount: How Much Should Be Invested?

• FRONT JANUARY 23, 2025

Asım Kılınç, Immigration Lawyer, CK Law Firm

The investment amount for an E2 visa is a topic of interest for investors looking to start a business or purchase an existing one in the United States. In this blog post, I'll discuss the investment required for an E2 visa and address other frequently asked questions. Here are the questions I'll cover:

• How Much Money is Required for the E2 Investor Visa?
• Who Can Get an E2 Visa?
• Is It Difficult to Get an E2 Visa?
• How Much Investment Does the US Grant Citizenship?

I'll be completing this blog with these questions, but you can always ask us any questions you have on CK Law Firm's official website. You can also reach me via my LinkedIn account.

How Much Money is Required for an E2 Visa?

There is no specific minimum investment amount for the E2 investor visa. Instead, the investment is expected to be "significant" and sufficient for the successful operation of the business. The investment amount will normally vary depending on the type and size of the business. For example, the investment amounts will differ for a small business versus a restaurant chain.

When assessing whether an investment is “substantial,” USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) considers the following factors for the American E2 investor visa requirements:

• Investment Ratio: The ratio of the investment amount to the total value of the business or the total capital required for its establishment.
• Type and Size of Business: Larger and more complex businesses generally require higher investment amounts, so it’s worth considering this when researching E2 visa business ideas.
• Investor Financial Commitment: How much financial risk the investor takes on the success of the business.

Considering the conditions of the US E2 investor visa, it is crucial that the investment amount of the E2 visa fee is compatible with the needs and scale of the business.

Who Can Get an E2 Visa?

The criteria you need to know to apply for the US E2 visa are as follows:

• Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of a country that has an E2 visa agreement with the United States. Turkey is among these countries.
• Investment: The applicant must make a significant investment in an active and profitable business in the US. This is a key consideration when selecting a suitable business for the E2 visa. The source of the investment must be legal and traceable.
• Business Management: The investor must take an active role in the management of the business and directly control its operations.
• Economic Contribution: The business must not only support the investor but also contribute to the U.S. economy. This may be through creating new jobs or retaining the existing workforce.

Is It Difficult to Get an E2 Visa?

An E2 visa makes it possible to live and work in the United States. However, many people planning to apply are skeptical about the complexity of the process. In fact, while the process may seem complex, it’s possible to achieve positive results with proper planning. It’s important to follow the steps below to ensure a successful application.

• Preparing a Comprehensive Business Plan: A detailed plan that includes the business’s objectives, market analysis, financial and operational strategies should be presented.
• Documentation of Investment: The source and amount of the investment must be clearly documented and its legality must be proven.
• Getting Professional Support: Working with an attorney experienced in immigration law can help the process go smoothly.

How Much Investment Does the US Grant Citizenship?

We’ve discussed in previous articles that the E2 visa doesn’t directly lead to a Green Card. It’s important to reiterate that the E2 visa doesn’t grant citizenship. However, it does grant investors and their families permission to live and work in the US. Because it doesn’t grant full permanent residency, applicants often wonder how long an E2 visa lasts. There’s no definitive answer to this question, but you can find our detailed article here.

Investors seeking permanent residency or citizenship can consider different programs. For example, the EB-5 investor program offers a Green Card by investing at least $1,000,000 (or $500,000 in certain targeted employment areas) and employing at least 10 full-time American citizens or permanent residents.

If you’d like to learn more about the E2 visa or begin the application process, you can contact us through CK Law Firm’s official website. You can also always reach me through my LinkedIn account. You can also check out our Blogs page to read our latest articles and valuable content on our blogs.