Bring Your Business Idea to America.
Open or buy a U.S. business to acquire residency. One of the most popular and easiest ways to acquire residency.
What Is the E-2 Visa?
The Visa Built for Investors and Business Owners.
The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in and actively managing a U.S. enterprise. This investor visa does not require a minimum investment of $800,000 — and it does not grant permanent residency directly.
Instead, it provides renewable temporary immigration status for as long as your business remains operational and meets E-2 standards. The E-2 investor status is renewable indefinitely. Spouse employment authorization and children’s status are included, making it one of the most family-friendly immigration options in the United States.
$100K+
Typical Investment
Unlimited
Renewals
Spouse
Work Authorized
Key Benefits
Why People Choose E-2 Visa
01
No Large Capital Requirement
No statutory minimum — investment must be "substantial" relative to the business cost.
02
Spouse Work Authorization
E-2 spouses are work-authorized incident to their E-2S status — no separate EAD required.
03
Indefinitely Renewable
Renew as long as the business operates and meets E-2 standards. No expiration of the pathway.
04
Quick Processing
Consular processing typically 2–5 months. USCIS premium processing available.
05
Franchise-Friendly
Franchises are among the most successful E-2 investments — built-in structure supports approval.
06
Family Included
Spouse and children under 21 admitted as E-2 dependents. Children may enroll in U.S. schools.
For You If
This is the right fit
- You hold citizenship of an E-2 treaty country (Canada, UK, Australia, etc.)
- You have $100,000–$500,000+ to invest in a U.S. business
- You want to actively manage your own U.S. enterprise
- You’re serious about living and working in the United States
- You value direct attorney access throughout the process
Not the Right Fit If
This is not for you
- Your country does not have an E-2 treaty with the United States
- You want a passive investment with no operational role
- You’re looking for a direct path to a Green Card without a business
- You cannot demonstrate a viable, non-marginal business plan
Requirements
What’s Required
01
Treaty Country Citizenship
You must hold citizenship of a country with a qualifying E-2 treaty with the U.S. Over 80 countries qualify — Canada and the UK among the most active.
02
Substantial Investment
No statutory minimum. The investment must be substantial relative to the total cost of the enterprise (proportionality test). Must be fully at-risk and irrevocably committed.
03
Active Management Role
You must own at least 50% of the business and play an active managerial or executive role. Passive investment does not qualify.
04
Non-Marginal Business
The business must generate more than enough income to support just you and your family — it must have genuine economic capacity.
Application Process
The E-2 Visa Journey, Step by Step
Week 1
Initial Assessment & Treaty Check
We confirm treaty eligibility, review your business concept, and assess the investment structure.
Months 1–2
Business & Investment Structuring
We advise on business acquisition or startup structure, investment deployment, lease agreements, payroll, and capitalization to satisfy USCIS standards.
Months 2–3
Application Preparation
We draft the full business plan, prepare all supporting immigration documentation, and assemble the consular or filing package.
Month 3–4
Filing & Interview Prep
We file the investor immigration application with the appropriate U.S. consulate, manage all correspondence, and prepare you for your visa interview.
Months 4–6
Status Granted & Entry
E-2 investor status granted; you and your family enter the United States and begin operations.
Our Services
What AmLaw Does on a E-2 Visa Case
01
Treaty Eligibility Review
Confirm treaty country status and citizenship documentation before any work begins.
02
Business Structuring & Investment Advice
Advise on how to deploy capital to satisfy the at-risk and irrevocably committed requirements — including lease, payroll, and inventory.
03
Business Plan Preparation
Draft a compelling, detailed business plan supporting the investor’s immigration application — addressing substantiality, marginality, and viability concerns.
04
Franchise Coordination
Coordinate with franchise companies and review FDD documentation to structure the E-2 investor application around the franchise model.
05
Application Filing & Consular Support
Full immigration application preparation, filing, and interview preparation at the U.S. consulate.
06
Status Renewal & Extension
Manage E-2 investor status renewals and extensions, ensuring employment authorization and the business continue to meet E-2 immigration standards over time.
Why Choose AmLaw
This Practice Was Built Differently.
Selective, Not Volume-Based
Fewer cases — not more. Every client receives direct attorney oversight. You work with the person who knows your case.
Strategy Before Paperwork
We build your immigration strategy first, then structure documentation around it. The form is the last step, not the first.
Long-Term Outcome Focus
We plan the full lifecycle of your case from day one and remain available after approval.
Built for Investors & Talent
Designed around entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and exceptional professionals. We understand the financial dimensions others miss.
Direct Attorney Access
No junior associates handling your case unsupervised. Senior attorneys review and sign off on all filings.
Multilingual Team
English and Russian — so complex legal concepts are communicated clearly, not lost in translation.
Case Studies
E-2 Visa Cases We’ve Handled
Canada
Canadian Investor Acquires a U.S. Gas Station Using Seller Financing
Structuring an E-2 acquisition around a complex franchise and real property combination.
Canada
Ontario Family Opens a Nail Salon Inside a Walmart
Demonstrating substantiality and non-marginality for a service franchise in a retail setting.
United Kingdom
UK Investor Purchases a Florida Property Management Business
Proving substantiality and active management for a service-based acquisition.
Canada
Canadian Dog Breeding Business Opens a U.S. Facility
Using an "essential employee first" strategy to establish the U.S. entity before the owner transfers.
Testimonials
Trusted by Families Worldwide
AmLaw structured our E-2 from the ground up — business plan, investment deployment, the whole package. First-submission approval. We were open for business within months.
Charles and his team understood our franchise investment inside and out. The consular interview was smooth because our case was built correctly from day one.
I had been turned down by another firm before finding AmLaw. They identified exactly what was wrong, restructured the investment, and we were approved.
FAQ
Common Questions
Do Canadians qualify for the E-2 visa?
Yes. Canada has a qualifying E-2 treaty with the United States, and Canadian nationals are among the most successful E-2 applicants. Canadians can apply directly at a U.S. consulate in Canada or adjust status within the U.S. if lawfully present.
What counts as a "substantial" investment?
There is no statutory minimum. USCIS applies a proportionality test: the investment must be substantial relative to the total cost of the enterprise. For lower-cost businesses, a higher percentage of the total cost must be invested. The investment must be fully at-risk and irrevocably committed.
Can I buy a franchise for my E-2?
Yes. Franchises are among the most popular E-2 investments because they provide built-in operational structures and business plans that support visa applications. AmLaw regularly handles E-2 cases for franchise investors in food service, retail, fitness, and service industries.
How long is the E-2 visa valid?
E-2 visas are typically issued for 5 years for Canadian and many European nationals, depending on your country’s treaty terms. The visa is renewable indefinitely as long as the qualifying business remains operational.
Can my spouse work in the U.S. on E-2?
Yes. E-2 spouses are work-authorized incident to their E-2S status as of January 30, 2022 (USCIS PA-2022-04). No separate EAD application is required.
Does the E-2 lead to a Green Card?
E-2 is a non-immigrant, non-dual-intent visa. There is no direct path from E-2 to a Green Card. Common transitions include EB-5 (investor Green Card) or EB-1A (extraordinary ability). AmLaw plans long-term strategy from the initial consultation.
Contact Us
Book a Strategy Session
Every case starts with a complimentary, frank conversation about your goals, your timeline, and your situation. Confidential, focused, and no obligation.
Office
1920 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 709 · Hallandale Beach, FL
Attorney advertising. Charles Raether, Esq. is responsible for the content of this page. Principal office: 1920 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 709, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.