Immigration Attorneys Specializing in E-2 Visa

The E 2 petition requires detailed documentation of the investment: bank statements, wire transfer records, purchase agreements, lease agreements, business licenses, and evidence that the funds have been committed to the enterprise. A comprehensive business plan is typically required, showing projected revenue, expenses, job creation, and growth trajectory. The plan must demonstrate that the business is not marginal and has the capacity to make a significant economic contribution. If the investment involves purchasing an existing business, documentation must show the purchase price, current operations, and the investor's plans for the business going forward. Consular officers and USCIS adjudicators scrutinize whether funds are at risk in the commercial sense, meaning the investor stands to lose the investment if the business fails.

The E 2 and EB 5 are both investor visas but differ significantly. The E 2 is a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa that does not lead to a green card, while the EB 5 is an immigrant visa pathway to permanent residence. The EB 5 requires a minimum investment of $800,000 (in a TEA) or $1,050,000, while the E 2 has no fixed minimum. The E 2 requires the investor to be a national of a treaty country; the EB 5 is available to nationals of any country. E 2 visas can be renewed indefinitely, but the investor never accumulates credit toward permanent residence through the E 2 alone. Some investors start with an E 2 and later transition to an EB 5 or employer sponsored green card. An attorney can advise on which pathway best fits your investment goals and long term immigration plans.