I Dream USA matches qualified foreign investors with vetted, experienced immigration attorneys who can develop the appropriate strategies to maximize the applicants chances of success in the E-2 process. Our services are entirely free to the applicants.
Everything you need to know about the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa and how our attorney matching service works.
What is the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?
The E-2 visa is a US nonimmigrant visa that allows nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing a substantial amount of capital in a US business they will actively manage. It is one of the most flexible and accessible paths to the US for foreign entrepreneurs and investors.
Which countries are eligible for the E-2 visa?
More than 80 countries currently have bilateral investment treaties with the United States that allow their nationals to apply for the E-2 visa. Major treaty countries include Mexico, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Italy, Colombia, Turkey, and the UAE, among many others. Your nationality — not your country of residence — determines eligibility.
Is the E-2 visa a path to a green card or permanent residency?
No. The E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa and does not by itself lead to permanent residency or a green card. However, it is renewable indefinitely in two-year increments as long as your qualifying business remains active. Some E-2 holders pursue separate green card routes while on E-2 status, such as through employer sponsorship or family-based immigration. Your attorney can advise on options specific to your situation.
How long does the E-2 visa last?
An approved E-2 visa is typically valid for two to five years depending on the reciprocity agreement with your country. Upon each entry to the US, Customs and Border Protection grants admission in two-year increments. The visa can be renewed indefinitely, and many E-2 holders have maintained status in the US for ten, twenty, or more years.
Can I bring my family on an E-2 visa?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible to accompany you as E-2 dependents. Your spouse may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows them to work for any US employer in any field. Dependent children may attend US schools and universities.
How much money do I need to invest to qualify?
There is no fixed minimum investment amount set by US law. The investment must be "substantial" relative to the total cost of establishing or acquiring the business. In practice, most approved E-2 cases involve investments between $50,000 and $500,000, though amounts both above and below this range have been approved depending on the business type and total cost.
What types of businesses qualify for an E-2 visa?
A wide range of businesses can serve as a qualifying E-2 enterprise, including:
• Starting a new business from scratch
• Purchasing an existing US business
• Buying a US franchise (one of the most common and reliable E-2 investment strategies)
• Expanding a foreign-owned business into the US market
The business must be a real, active commercial enterprise — not a passive investment or a marginal business that will only support the investor and their immediate family.
Can I buy a franchise for my E-2 application?
Yes, and franchises are among the most dependable E-2 investment vehicles. The proven business model, established brand, training, and operational support all help demonstrate that the enterprise is real and viable. Popular franchise categories for E-2 applicants include food service, retail, fitness, education, and cleaning and maintenance services.
Do I need to create jobs for US workers?
The E-2 visa does not require you to create a specific number of US jobs, unlike the EB-5 immigrant investor visa which mandates 10 jobs. However, your business must not be purely marginal — it should demonstrate capacity to generate more income than is needed merely to support you and your family, and employing US workers strengthens your application.
What if I am a minority investor — can I still qualify?
Minority investors can qualify for an E-2 visa, but you must demonstrate that you have executive or supervisory control over the enterprise. Simply holding a financial stake without a directing role is not sufficient. An experienced E-2 attorney can structure your case to show the necessary level of control.
Where must the investment funds come from?
The funds must come from a lawful source. You will be required to document the origin of your investment capital — for example, personal savings, the sale of property or a business, income, or a gift. Borrowed funds can qualify in some circumstances, but loans secured by the assets of the US business itself generally do not.
What does the E-2 application process look like?
Most applicants go through consular processing at a US embassy or consulate in their home country. The key steps are:
• Assess your eligibility and confirm your country's treaty status
• Establish and fund your US business entity
• Build your application package (business plan, financial evidence, source of funds documentation)
• File your petition and attend your visa interview at the US consulate
• Receive your visa and enter the US
How long does it take to get an E-2 visa?
Most applicants receive a decision within three to six months of filing a complete application. Timelines vary significantly by US consulate — some embassies have short interview wait times while others book months in advance. Your matched attorney will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific consulate and situation.
Can I apply for an E-2 visa if I am already living in the United States?
Yes. If you are lawfully present in the US on another visa status, you may file to change your status to E-2 through USCIS without leaving the country. However, an E-2 approval through change of status does not give you an E-2 visa stamp — you would need to obtain that at a US consulate when you next travel internationally.
What documents are typically required for an E-2 application?
A strong E-2 application typically includes proof of nationality and treaty country status, evidence of investment (bank statements, wire transfers, purchase agreements), source of funds documentation, a business plan with five-year financial projections, organizational documents for the US entity, evidence of active business operations, and evidence of your directing role in the enterprise. Your attorney will guide you on the specific documentation required for your consulate.
What are the most common reasons E-2 applications are denied?
Common denial reasons include:
• Marginal enterprise — the business appears capable only of supporting the investor's family without broader economic activity
• Investment deemed not substantial relative to the total business cost
• Inability to document the lawful source of investment funds
• Investor not demonstrably in a directing or managing role
• Incomplete, inconsistent, or poorly organized documentation
Working with an attorney who specializes in E-2 cases significantly reduces these risks. Experienced E-2 attorneys understand what each consulate expects and how to structure applications for the strongest possible presentation.
What exactly does I Dream USA do?
I Dream USA locates and matches foreign nationals who wish to pursue an E-2 visa with qualified, vetted US immigration attorneys who specialize in E-2 cases. We remove the most difficult and time-consuming part of the process — finding the right legal representation — so you can focus on your business and your move.
How is I Dream USA different from just searching for an attorney online?
Finding an E-2 attorney online means sorting through hundreds of immigration lawyers with no reliable way to assess their E-2 experience, track record, or fit for your specific country and business type. I Dream USA has already done that work. We maintain a network of vetted attorneys with demonstrated E-2 expertise, and we match you based on your country of nationality, business type, investment amount, and timeline — not just whoever ranks highest in a search result.
How does the matching process work?
You complete a short eligibility assessment covering your country, investment amount, business type, and timeline. Our team reviews your profile and identifies two to three attorneys from our network who are the strongest fit for your situation. You receive your matches within 24 hours, meet with the attorneys, and choose the one you feel most confident with. We remain available throughout the handoff to ensure the transition is smooth.
How much does the matching service cost?
The eligibility check and matching process are completely free. We do not charge you any fees for our services. If you end up hiring an attorney we match you with, we may be compensated by the attorney.
Does I Dream USA provide legal advice?
No. I Dream USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice of any kind. We are a matching and referral service that connects prospective E-2 investors with licensed US immigration attorneys. All legal advice, case strategy, and representation is provided exclusively by the independently licensed attorneys in our network.
What if I am not happy with my attorney match?
If your matched attorney is not the right fit, let us know. We will work with you to identify a better match at no additional cost. Our goal is to find the right attorney for your situation, not simply to make a referral.
Do you work with applicants from all E-2 treaty countries?
Yes. We work with nationals of all E-2 treaty countries. Whether you are based in Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Colombia, Turkey, or any other treaty nation, we can identify attorneys in our network with experience handling E-2 cases from your specific country — which matters because consular practices and documentation expectations can vary significantly from one US embassy to another.
What happens after I am matched with an attorney?
Once you select your attorney, they will conduct a detailed consultation to review your specific situation, advise on your investment and business structure, outline the documents required, and provide a timeline and fee estimate for your case. From that point, your attorney manages the full application process. I Dream USA remains available if you have any questions or concerns along the way.
Complete your free eligibility check and we will match you with a vetted E-2 attorney who can answer every question specific to your situation - within 24 hours.
