How Much Investment is Required for the E-2 Visa?

For many aspiring business owners, the dream of opening a company in the United States often collides with one persistent worry: how much money is enough? The E-2 visa is a pathway that makes entrepreneurship in the U.S. possible for citizens of treaty countries, but uncertainty about investment size causes many to hesitate. Some believe they must bring hundreds of thousands of dollars to qualify, while others give up entirely, assuming their capital is too modest.

The reality is far more flexible. The law does not set a fixed minimum investment for the E-2 visa. What matters is not the size of the investment, but whether it is substantial, proportional, and sufficient to make the business operational and sustainable.

What the Law Actually Says

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the E-2 Treaty Investor classification allows nationals of treaty countries to enter the United States when they invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. enterprise. The Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 402.9-6(B)) defines “substantial” as an amount that is proportionate to the total cost of purchasing or establishing the business and enough to ensure its successful operation.

There is no statutory minimum. Officers look at whether the funds are at risk, committed to the enterprise, and sufficient to make it operational, not merely promised or held in reserve.

How a Substantial Investment Is Determined

The government applies a proportionality test. For lower-cost ventures, investors are expected to contribute a higher percentage of the total cost, often close to 100 percent. For capital-intensive ventures, a smaller percentage may qualify if the investment is large enough to make the business viable. The focus is always on credibility and capacity to operate.

What Applicants Should Show

Applicants must document that their funds are lawfully obtained, fully committed, and directly tied to the business. Strong evidence includes purchase contracts, bank transfers, lease agreements, payroll plans, and a detailed business plan demonstrating operational readiness.

Sources

1. USCIS – E-2 Treaty Investors
   https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/e-2-treaty-investors
2. U.S. Department of State – 9 FAM 402.9-6(B)
   https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040209.html