The following information describes the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa for persons wishing to invest in a business in the U.S. Investing in a new or existing business in the United States and relocating oneself and one’s family to the U.S. is a significant event in your life. A qualified US immigration lawyer can make a difference in the success of your investment and immigration plans.

The nonimmigrant E-2 treaty investor visa is available to nationals of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who wishes to go to the United States to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital.

Eligibility Requirements: Treaty Investor Visa (E-2)

To obtain an E2 investor visa, the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

?The investor, either a real person or a business entity, must be a national of a qualifying treaty country;

?The applicant must have already invested or be in the process of investing funds in the enterprise;

?The applicant/investor must have control over the investment funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense (loans secured with assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed);

?The investment enterprise must be a real and operating enterprise (A speculative or idle investment does not qualify. Nor do uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security.);

?The investment must be substantial (It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the business. The percentage of investment for a low-value business must be proportionally higher than the percentage of investment in a high-value business.); The investment enterprise must not be marginal (The investment enterprise must generate significantly more income than simply enouth to provide a living for the applicant/investor and family, or othewise it must have a significant economic impact in the United States.);

?The E-2 visa applicant must be in a position to "develop and direct" the investment enterprise;

?If the visa applicant is not the principal investor, he or she must be employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity; and

?The visa applicant must intend to depart the United States when the E2 status expires.

To obtain further guidance on E-2 visa eligibility, a licensed US immigration attorney can assist you in analyzing the facts of your particular case and evaluating your eligibility for an E-2 investor visa.

Applying for an E Visa

Applicants for Treaty Investor (E-2) status must first seek registration of the business enterprise. To register an enterprise, the applicant must establish that the trading enterprise meets requirement of the law. Once the enterprise is successfully registered, E visa applicants will be required to appear in person before a consular officer for a personal interview, where the applicant has the burden of demonstrating eligibility for E Visa classification as an investor or employee. A qualified US immigration lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in properly preparing the E-2 visa application at the enterprise registration stage, as well as guiding and coaching the applicant through the requirements of the nonimmigrant visa interview stage.

In Summary: How a US Immigration Attorney Can Help

- Your case will be thoroughly evaluated by a licensed US immigration attorney to determine the most appropriate visa eligibility class available to you;

- You will receive personalized guidance from a licensed US immigration lawyer in identifying and assembling the supporting documents needed to most effectively present your case to the immigration authorities or consulate officer;

- Your forms and documents will be carefully prepared and reviewed by a licensed US immigration attorney prior to filing so as to minimize the likelihood of any requests for additional evidence or visa rejection;

- Your case will be carefully monitored by a licensed US immigration lawyer and you will receive 24/7 online access to your case status information;

- You will receive personalized guidance and sample questions from a licensed US immigration attorney to thoroughly prepare you for your immigration / visa interview.

- You will receive ongoing access to your own US immigration lawyer for answering any immigration or visa questions or concerns that may arise during the process.