The E-2 Investor Visa allows an individual from a treaty country (a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation) to enter and work inside the United States based on an investment they will be controlling. This investment must be substantial, with investment funds or assets committed and irrevocable. The investment must also be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
The E-2 Visa allows an initial stay of two years, which can be extended indefinitely in two-year increments provided that the conditions under which the visa was granted remain valid. The spouse and children of the E-2 visa holder may also accompany the principal visa holder, and spouses can apply for work authorization.
To qualify for the E-2 Visa, an applicant must meet specific requirements, including being a national of a treaty country, and having invested, or being actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide enterprise in the U.S.