E-2 Investor Visa
Live and operate your business in the United States through
The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is an employment-based immigrant visa that allows applicants with exceptional abilities or advanced degrees to obtain a Green Card in the United States. Unlike other employment-based visas, the NIW allows qualified professionals to self-petition, eliminating the need for labor certification.
In this guide, we explain the NIW requirements, the application process, and the next steps after approval.
WHAT IS THE E-2 INVESTOR VISA?
It is a non-immigrant visa for nationals of countries with which the United States maintains a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation (or a qualifying agreement), allowing them to enter the country to develop and direct a real and operating business in which they have made a substantial investment.
The most important requirement: the investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of the business.
🔹 It applies to:
- Entrepreneurs who purchase or establish a business in the U.S.
- Investors who acquire an operating franchise
- Professionals who open their own firm or consulting business in the U.S.
- Executives and essential skilled employees sent by a parent company from a treaty country.
BENEFITS
✅ You can live in the United States while operating your business
✅ Includes your spouse and unmarried children under 21
✅ Your spouse may apply for work authorization in the United States
✅ Renewable indefinitely as long as the investment and business operations are maintained
✅ Can be processed at a consulate or, in some cases, through a change of status within the United States
✅ Does not require prior residence abroad (unlike the B-1/B-2)
REQUIREMENTS
✔ Nationals of a country with an active treaty with the United States (official Department of State list)
✔ Investors who have committed funds in an irrevocable and at-risk manner
✔ Individuals who can document the lawful source of their invested funds
✔ Those who will develop a real and operating business (not passive or speculative)
✔ Those who will maintain at least 50% ownership or operational control of the company
✔ Executive, supervisory, or essential skilled employees of treaty-country companies
OUR METHODOLOGY
At US Visa LATAM, we begin with a personalized strategic evaluation and a direct legal analysis with our immigration attorney to determine the real viability of the E-2 case. From there:
We verify treaty country eligibility and the investor’s nationality (and the company’s, if applicable).
We audit the source and the path of funds.
We design or review the business structure.
We develop the business plan.
We prepare the consular package or the corresponding petition.
We support the consular interview and handle any additional requests.
We do not take cases we do not believe in. Our priority is to protect your investment and your expectations with transparency and responsibility.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW YOUR APPROVAL CHANCES FOR THE E-2 INVESTOR VISA?
Fill out the form below and we will tell you.
