E-2 Investor Pathway for Canadians
Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border and one of the most closely connected economies. Their trade and supply chains are deeply integrated, particularly in the automotive, textile, and energy sectors. In 2024, Canada was the top destination for U.S. exports and the third-largest source of U.S. imports. Canada exported over three-quarters of its goods to the United States and imported almost half of its goods from the United States.
The United States’ leading exports to Canada include vehicles, machinery, and energy products, along with more than 30 billion U.S. dollars in agricultural goods such as bakery items, cereals, fruit, and ethanol. Canada’s leading exports to the United States include energy products and vehicles, as well as over 40 billion U.S. dollars in agricultural products such as baked goods, cereals, vegetable oils, and beef.
Given this shared border and the steady flow of trade, business investment often develops as a natural progression of these economic ties. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows Canadian citizens to take that step by investing in and managing a U.S. enterprise.
The E-2 visa is based on a treaty of commerce and navigation between the two countries. To qualify, the applicant must hold Canadian citizenship and invest in a bona fide U.S. enterprise. This means a real, operating business that provides goods or services. The investment must be substantial for the size of the business, and the funds must be lawfully obtained and committed to the enterprise. Investments that are purely passive, such as owning property or stock without direct involvement, do not meet the requirement.
All E-2 applications from Canada are reviewed by the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto, which processes all E-1 and E-2 petitions in the country. Applicants file Forms DS-160 and DS-156E, provide ownership and financial documentation, and submit a business plan that shows the enterprise’s operations and growth potential. If approved, the visa may be issued for up to five years, and each stay in the United States is authorized for two years.
The E-2 visa supports that connection by giving qualified Canadians a reliable way to own and operate U.S. businesses under clear treaty-based rules.
Sources:
- Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) – https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/americas/canada
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) – https://www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-services-expanded
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada. https://ca.usembassy.gov/treaty-trader-and-investor-visas/