E-2 Treaty Investor

The E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries (~80 jurisdictions including Germany, UK, Japan, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan; NOT China mainland, India, Brazil, Russia). The investor places capital at commercial risk in an amount 'substantial in relationship to the total cost of purchasing or establishing the enterprise' — no fixed dollar minimum; USCIS applies a proportionality test (smaller business → higher required percentage). The enterprise must be more than marginal. ≥ 50% ownership OR operational control is required. Initial up to 2 years; renewable in 2-yr increments indefinitely.