E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Lawyer in Chicago
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa enables nationals of qualifying treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business. At Liberum Law, our E-2 visa attorneys in Chicago help entrepreneurs and investors navigate the application process, prepare compelling documentation, and maximize their chances of approval.
E-2 visa requirements include being a national of a country with a qualifying investment treaty with the U.S., investing a substantial amount of capital that is at risk in a genuine commercial enterprise, the investment must be enough to ensure the successful operation of the business, the investor must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise, and the business must not be marginal — it must generate significantly more income than needed to support the investor and family.
While there is no minimum investment amount specified by law, the investment must be substantial relative to the total cost of purchasing or establishing the business. For lower-cost businesses, a higher percentage of the total cost must be invested. Our attorneys help clients determine appropriate investment levels and structure transactions to meet USCIS requirements.
Our E-2 visa practice includes investment structuring and eligibility assessment, comprehensive business plan development demonstrating commercial viability, source of funds documentation, application preparation with detailed evidence packages, interview preparation at U.S. consulates, E-2 visa renewals and change of status applications, and E-2 to green card transition planning.
The E-2 visa offers significant advantages including no annual cap on the number of visas issued, renewable indefinitely in two-year increments, spouse eligibility for employment authorization, and the ability to bring essential employees on E-2 dependent visas. However, the E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa and does not directly lead to a green card.
Contact our E-2 visa lawyers at Liberum Law for a free consultation to discuss your investment plans and immigration strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for an E-2 investor visa?
You must be a national of a treaty country and have invested (or be actively in the process of investing) a substantial amount of capital in a real, operating U.S. enterprise that you will direct and develop. The investment must be at-risk and create more than marginal income (typically must support more than just the investor and family).
How much do I need to invest for E-2?
There is no minimum statutory amount, but USCIS evaluates the investment as "substantial" relative to the cost of the business. Practical minimums: $100,000–$200,000 for service businesses, $200,000+ for retail/restaurants, more for manufacturing. The investment must be committed and at risk — passive investment in real estate or stocks does not qualify.
What countries have E-2 treaties?
About 80 countries — including the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Japan, Korea, Canada (under USMCA), Mexico, Argentina, Singapore, Turkey, and many more. Russia, China, India, and Brazil do not. Grenada and several other countries with citizenship-by-investment programs are popular routes for non-treaty nationals.
Can I buy an existing business for E-2?
Yes — purchasing an existing U.S. business is a common E-2 path. The purchase price counts toward the investment, the business must be operational at the time of application, and you must take over active direction and development.
Can E-2 lead to a green card?
Not directly. E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa renewable indefinitely. To obtain permanent residence, E-2 holders typically pursue EB-5 (investor green card), EB-1C (multinational manager), EB-2 NIW, or family-based options. We routinely structure parallel green card strategies for E-2 clients.
