Getting an E2 visa approval is a great way to invest and work in the United States. Whether you are looking to launch a new business, manage existing investments, or simply live and work in the US, having an E-2 visa can be incredibly beneficial.
However, the process of obtaining this visa can be complicated, all you need are the right tools and a bit of know-how. So before you apply, make sure to read these eleven tips to increase your chances of success.
11 E-2 visa Application Tips
1. Gather Evidence of Nationality
You’ll be asked to provide documents that prove your nationality and citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate. Make sure to include these when submitting your E-2 treaty visa application.
When applying for an E-2 investor visa, it is essential to be able to provide evidence of your nationality. The most common way to do this is by providing a valid passport that shows your citizenship in the country you are applying from.
Other documents that can be accepted include:
a birth certificate,
baptismal certificate, or certificates of naturalization and/or registration.
Certificates of naturalization and/or registration…
are documents that acknowledge an individual’s status as a citizen or national of a specific country. They can be obtained by completing the necessary application process in the country you wish to become a citizen or national of.
This document is proof that you are a national of a treaty country. Treaty countries are those nations that have signed a treaty with the United States allowing citizens of the former to engage in international trade and investment activities.
The list of E-2 visa treaty countries includes Australia, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Congo (Zaire), Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, and more. Please see the complete list here.
You’ll be asked to provide documents that prove your nationality and citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate. Make sure to include these when submitting your E-2 treaty visa application.
When applying for an E-2 investor visa, it is essential to be able to provide evidence of your nationality. The most common way to do this is by providing a valid passport that shows your citizenship in the country you are applying from.
Other documents that can be accepted include:
a birth certificate,
baptismal certificate, or certificates of naturalization and/or registration.
Certificates of naturalization and/or registration…
are documents that acknowledge an individual’s status as a citizen or national of a specific country. They can be obtained by completing the necessary application process in the country you wish to become a citizen or national of.
This document is proof that you are a national of a treaty country. Treaty countries are those nations that have signed a treaty with the United States allowing citizens of the former to engage in international trade and investment activities.
The list of E-2 visa treaty countries includes Australia, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Congo (Zaire), Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, and more. Please see the complete list here.
2. Provide Evidence of Substantial Investment
In order to get E-2 visa approval, you’ll need to show that you have made a substantial investment in the business or enterprise you are establishing in the United States.
This generally means investing at least $50,000, though the exact amount will vary depending on your business plan and the type of investment.
To prove your substantial investment, you’ll need to provide evidence that the funds have been transferred or committed to the enterprise.
This can include:
- a bank statement showing the transfer of funds,
- copies of receipts for assets purchased with the funds,
- or a signed letter from an investor or venture capitalist committing capital to the business.
You may also need to provide other financial documents, such as a business plan and balance sheet, to demonstrate the viability of your investment.
What is a business plan?
A business plan is a great way to prove that your investment in a new enterprise is substantial. By detailing the goals and objectives of the business, as well as its financial outlook, you can show that you are serious about making your investment successful.
A well-crafted business plan can also help convince immigration officials that your enterprise is worth supporting.
What is inside your business plan?
A business plan should include
- a comprehensive overview of the business,
- including the company’s mission statement,
- products and services offered,
- target audience and market size,
- competitive analysis,
- management team,
- and organizational structure.
It should also include financial projections such as income statements (profit & loss statements), balance sheets, cash flow statements, and break-even analysis. Additionally, it should include an executive summary outlining the key points of your plan.
What is a balance sheet?
A balance sheet is a financial statement that outlines the assets, liabilities, and equity of a company at a specific point in time. It is used to show the financial health of an enterprise and can be used to compare businesses across industries.
The assets section of the balance sheet includes all of the tangible and intangible items that are owned by the business, such as:
- cash,
- accounts receivable,
- inventory,
- equipment,
- investments,
- and patents.
The liabilities section includes all of the money that is owed to creditors and suppliers. Finally, the equity section includes the value of any capital contributions made by investors or shareholders.
By providing a detailed balance sheet with your application, you can demonstrate that your business is financially sound and has the resources necessary to achieve its goals. This will make it easier for immigration officials to grant E2 visa approval.
3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of your E-2 visa venture
When applying for E2 visa approval, you must demonstrate a clear understanding of the venture you are establishing in the United States. This includes:
Describing the unique characteristics of your business and how it will create jobs and benefit the economy.
You should also explain why you chose to invest in the U.S.,
demonstrating that you have a thorough understanding of the legal and economic environment in which you will be operating. Be sure to include any applicable experience or qualifications you possess that would make your venture successful.
Finally, outline your plans for hiring qualified employees and show that all positions created.
Through your investment will pay fair market wages, comply with all applicable labor laws, and provide acceptable benefits packages.
By doing so, you can prove to immigration officials that your E-2 visa venture will be beneficial to the economy.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of receiving E2 visa approval and realizing your dream of launching a successful business in the United States.
4. Demonstrate that you are in Control
In addition to providing evidence of your substantial investment, applicants must also show that they have control over their enterprise. This means that the applicant has operational control of the day-to-day activities. As well as he or she is actively involved in the running of the business.
To demonstrate control, he or she should provide evidence of their ability.
Showing he or she can make strategic decisions about the direction and future of the enterprise. This can include…
- business plans,
- organizational charts,
- job descriptions,
- and other documents describing the duties and roles of the applicant.
In addition to demonstrating control, applicants should also provide evidence of their qualifications and skills. This can include letters of reference from former employers, copies of diplomas or certifications, and professional licenses.
By providing these documents, he or she can prove that they are well-equipped to operate the enterprise and that they have the necessary experience and qualifications to do so.
5. Be prepared to answer questions about your business and why you need an E-2 visa.
Applicants should come prepared to answer any questions the consular officer may have about their business and proposed investment plans, such as follows:
What is the purpose of your treaty investor visa?
What is the size of your proposed investment?
What is the nature of your business?
Who is involved in running the business?
How will you be using the E-2 visa funds?
What are your qualifications and experience in this field?
What are your plans for expansion or growth?
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?
By being prepared to answer questions about their application, applicants can ensure that the consular officer has all of the information needed to make a decision regarding the approval of E2.
Applicants should remember that a treaty investor visa is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to start or expand their businesses in the United States. By taking the time to properly prepare their application, they can maximize their chances of visa approval and begin living out their entrepreneurial dreams.
6. Be prepared to cover associated costs, such as security deposits, E-2 visa fees, and more.
E2 Business-associated costs include:
- visa application fees,
- security deposits for any lease agreements needed to operate the business.
- Additionally, applicants of E-2 should be prepared to cover any legal or consultancy fees related to the visa applications and the visa process.
Application fees can vary but are typically around $700. Other E-2 business associated costs include security deposit amounts for lease agreements which are usually between two and six months of rent.
It’s important for applicants to factor in these associated costs when budgeting and planning for their E-2 venture since they must have sufficient funds available to cover them before applying for the visa.
Failure to do so could result in delayed processing of the E-2 application.
Or even denial if the funds are not properly accounted for when submitting the application.
Delays could also be incurred if incorrect paperwork is provided or if there are discrepancies between what documents were presented and what was ultimately approved by immigration officials after review of the e2 application.
By accounting for E-2 visa business-associated costs, applicants can be prepared and well-equipped with the funds necessary to cover all application fees, security deposits, and related e2 business expenses.
Doing so will help ensure their application is successful, enabling them to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in the United States.
7. Show evidence of sufficient financial resources available for an e2 visa venture
Financial resources for E-2 applicants are funds that allow E2 businesses to cover related expenses such as:
- employee salaries,
- rent or mortgage payments,
- inventory purchases,
- operating expenses,
- and more.
These funds must be sufficient enough to cover the E2 business venture in order to persuade consular officers to approve the application for the visa.
E-2 applicants must demonstrate evidence of these financial resources when submitting their applications.
The exact amount of financial resources required by E2 applicants is determined by USCIS, depending on the type and scope of the E2 enterprise they’re proposing.
Generally speaking, applicants are expected to have enough liquid assets or investments in a U.S.-based business that can sustain their E-2 venture over time. This means having access to funds in order to pay for E-2 visa business-associated costs such as security deposits and any legal or consulting fees related to submitting the E-2 status application properly.
E-2 investors should also account for future costs that may arise throughout the duration of their E-2 status visa.
This includes ensuring access to adequate financial resources in order to maintain E2 status in the U.S., as well as having funds available for renewing their visas if necessary.
It’s important for E-2 treaty investors to plan ahead and budget accordingly so they don’t run out of money while pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams after gaining initial E-2 visa approval.
Furthermore, it’s important for applicants to note that they are not eligible for federal benefits such as Social Security or Medicare while living on E-2 visas in the United States; they must have adequate funding sources established prior to entering the country.
Therefore, it is essential that they secure appropriate financial resources before applying for an e2 visa since failure to do so could result in delays in processing times or even being denied altogether if lacking adequate funds at submission time.
8. Provide data-driven evidence that the E2 visa business has high prospects for success
Providing data-driven evidence that E-2 business has high prospects for success is an important step in the e2 visa application process. Applicants must demonstrate that their e2 venture…
- has the potential to generate a significant financial return
- and create job opportunities in the United States.
Provide comprehensive information
To do this, he or she must provide comprehensive information on the industry they’re attempting to enter, as well as present evidence of their own capacity as a business owner.
This could include financial projections for the E-2 venture, market analysis, or potential customer insights. Applicants should also provide evidence that demonstrates their capability to run a successful E-2 business venture by including resources such as past business experience, professional qualifications, or any relevant awards or certifications they may have earned.
By providing detailed documentation on the applicant’s background and experience in the e2 business industry, immigration officials will be able to determine whether or not their e2 venture has the potential to generate a substantial profit and create jobs in the United States.
Therefore, it’s essential for applicants to present data-driven evidence of their capabilities and show how their E-2 venture can bring economic benefits to the U.S. economy.
Demonstrate how the venture will operate sustainably over time.
This could include projecting sources of capitalization for future investments into operations, research & development expenses, new hiring costs, or other areas of growth needed for long-term success.
E2 applicants should provide calculations for anticipated operational costs during different stages of development and outline plans for how those costs will be funded over time (e.g., through profits from operations).
It is also important for visa applicants to account for risk factors within their sector when providing evidence of E-2 business success.
For example, evaluating macroeconomic trends within domestic markets may help identify areas of opportunity while at the same time minimizing the risk associated with certain variables like exchange rate fluctuations or changes in consumer demand patterns that could impact returns on investments made in an e-visa enterprise.
Evaluating these risks ahead of time.
This can reduce uncertainty around future profitability when submitting an E-visa application—it can also help consular officers understand why an E-visa is necessary in order to pursue a particular entrepreneurial dream when reviewing applications submitted.
By presenting data-driven evidence that outlines various aspects related to investor qualifications and market conditions surrounding an E-2 enterprise being proposed, consular officers will be better equipped with all available information needed when deciding whether or not to approve an applicant’s request for an e-visa into the United States.
9. Accurately translate documents into English if necessary and organize them professionally.
Accurately translating documents into English is an important step in E-2 visa applications. It is essential to ensure that all documents are translated accurately and comprehensively into the target language.
When preparing for the application, it is important to remember to use only certified translation services for accuracy and precision when submitting documents.
To start…
Applicants should always provide their translation service with high-quality originals of their source documents.
This can help the translator have a better understanding of the source material so they can provide more precise translations.
Applicants should clearly communicate their purpose for needing the translation.
This can include any specific requirements or preferences related to formatting and layout that need to be adhered to during the translation process.
Once he or she has found a certified or registered translator, they must then review the translated document themselves or have someone else review it for accuracy before submission.
Checking for any errors that could result in delays or rejections of E-2 visas is essential in this process as well.
Applicants should also ask their translator what laws apply in their specific country regarding e-visa translations and if there are any specific requirements beyond industry standards they should be aware of as well.
Applicants should organize their documents professionally
So that all relevant information is included and presented clearly in order for consular officers reviewing e2 visas to understand more quickly what a business venture entails and how it might benefit the U.S. economy if approved.
This could include providing concise summaries of business plans or other supporting evidence related to the E2 venture being proposed, such as market analysis reports or financial projections for expected returns on investments made in the business over time.
Visa applicants should also include any relevant certifications or awards earned by them
Which demonstrate their capability as a business owner and ability to sustainably manage operations long-term. As well as provide evidence of investor qualifications required by immigration officials when assessing whether an e-visa enterprise potential for success or not.
By taking the time to ensure that E2 visa applications are comprehensive and well-organized, e2 visa applicants can increase their chances of having a successful e-visa application approved.
10. Know all the necessary requirements for E2 visa approval and provide additional information.
E2 visas require:
- various qualifications and documentation to be approved.
- proof of investor/business owner qualifications
- and an in-depth business plan outlining the venture’s operations and expected returns on investments made.
It is important that E2 visa applicants carefully review current requirements before submitting their applications. It can help them properly prepare all required documentation ahead of time.
Also, applicants should be prepared to provide additional information or evidence if requested during the e-visa application process. This could include:
- detailed descriptions of business operations,
- financial projections for expected returns on investments made in the venture
- as well as documents proving investor qualifications.
Having all this information ready ahead of time can help e2 visa applicants have a greater chance of success when applying for E2 visas.
11. Present evidence of how the e2 visa business venture will have an impact on local businesses or communities.
Applicants should also provide evidence of how their business venture will have an impact on local businesses or communities. This could include:
- job creation and economic development opportunities,
- as well as any other positive impacts the E2 business venture might bring to the community.
Include any environmental protection efforts or initiatives related business when applicable. This could show that the E2 enterprise is committed to making sustainable changes in the community.
Presenting evidence of these impacts can help applicants demonstrate how their e-visa business ventures will benefit both themselves as entrepreneurs as well as society overall.
Ultimately, applicants should be aware of all the requirements for visa approval. And take the time to prepare a comprehensive application with complete and well-organized documents.
The e2 Visa Application Process
The E-2 visa application process begins with:
The e2 visa applicant submitting a completed e-visa form and supporting documents to the relevant government agency, such as the US Department of State or Customs and Border Protection.
Applicants must also submit biometric data such as photographs and fingerprints to verify their identity.
After submitting these documents to the relevant visa agency, applicants will be notified within 180 days whether their application for the visa was approved or denied.
Once applications are approved, such visa holders must renew their E-2 status every two years in order to remain in the United States and continue working on their e-visa business ventures. Visa holders must also provide documentation of their E-2 business activities each year in order to maintain E-2 status.
The application process for E-2 can be a lengthy and complicated one, but with the right preparation, applicants can ensure a successful application, allowing them to pursue their business ventures in the United States.
Here’s the overview of the E-2 Visa application steps:
Step 1: Initial E-2 visa application and document submission.
Step 2: E-Visa interview/meeting with the immigration officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.Step
Step 3: E2 visa adjudication and determination by the USCIS from the E-visa
Key Takeaways
E2 application and document submission must be completed properly to maximize e2 visa approval chances
Treaty investor visas typically have an average success rate of 80%
E2 treaty investor visa applicants may be eligible to change their non-immigrant status from other visas – such as B1/B2 visitor visas or F1 student visas – to e2 investor visas
Applicants must not become a “public charge” and must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their E2 visa business without relying on the US government for financial assistance
professional guidance from an experienced immigration lawyer is strongly recommended for such visa applications and E-2 visa change of status requests.
By keeping these 11 tips in mind, applicants can maximize their chances of success and ensure E2 visa approval. With the right amount of dedication, motivation, and guidance, E2 visas can be a great opportunity to enter the US business world!
Good luck with your E-2 visa application.