Your goal
You are seeking temporary residence by principal treaty investor.
International immigration
US E-2 Treaty Investor
Explore US E-2 Treaty Investor and plan your next move with clarity. We will help you understand the route, organise the information you need and prepare for what comes next.
At a glance
Key details for your planning
- Outcome
- Temporary residence
- Who qualifies
- For applicants planning to qualify by principal treaty investor who can meet the programme's eligibility and…
- Family
- A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may hold derivative E status.
- Application path
- 5 main stages
Could this route suit you?
See whether this route fits your plans
For applicants planning to qualify by principal treaty investor who can meet the programme's eligibility and continuing conditions.
Your qualifying basis
The recognised options are principal treaty investor or qualifying executive, supervisory or essential employee of a treaty enterprise.
Your ongoing plan
Keep the enterprise real, active and non-marginal
What this route can offer
The status you are working towards
E-2 is temporary non-immigrant status tied to the qualifying enterprise and activity. It is not lawful permanent residence.
E-2 status is not a Green Card and does not determine tax residence. A visa and an in-country status record serve different purposes.
Your route options
Ways to qualify
Principal treaty investor
This is a recognised qualifying basis under the programme: Principal treaty investor.
Qualifying executive, supervisory or essential employee of a treaty enterprise
This is a recognised qualifying basis under the programme: Qualifying executive, supervisory or essential employee of a treaty enterprise.
Planning for your family
Include your family in the plan
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may hold derivative E status.
- A spouse may be employment-authorised incident to status under current rules; children are not work-authorised through E-2 dependency.
What you will need
Prepare with confidence
Who can qualify
- A national of an E-2 treaty country may qualify by investing a substantial amount of lawfully controlled capital at risk in a real, active US enterprise and entering to develop and direct it.
Qualifying basis
- Principal treaty investor
- Qualifying executive, supervisory or essential employee of a treaty enterprise
Documents and checks
- Commit capital and document its lawful source and path
Your next steps
A clear plan from the start
-
Confirm treaty nationality
Confirm treaty nationality and ownership
-
Establish or acquire the operating enterprise
Establish or acquire the operating enterprise
-
Commit capital and document its lawful source and
Commit capital and document its lawful source and path
-
Apply through the responsible consulate or USCIS status
Apply through the responsible consulate or USCIS status process
-
Maintain the business
Maintain the business and seek extensions while eligible
Keeping your position on track
What to plan for after approval
Keep the enterprise real
Keep the enterprise real, active and non-marginal
Develop and direct the business or perform the
Develop and direct the business or perform the approved employee role
Maintain an intention to depart when E status
Maintain an intention to depart when E status ends
How Prism 7 can help
Clear advice. Practical preparation.
Prism 7 gives you a clearer route forward — from understanding the options that suit your plans to organising documents and coordinating the next steps. We keep you informed about what is needed, what is happening and what to prepare next.
Understand your options
We start with your plans, priorities and the route options that could be relevant.
Prepare with confidence
We help you organise the documents and information needed for the route you choose.
Keep moving forward
We keep the next steps clear, so you know what to prepare and when to act.
Explore your other options
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View programmeYour questions answered
Frequently asked questions
E-2 is temporary non-immigrant status tied to the qualifying enterprise and activity. It is not lawful permanent residence.
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may hold derivative E status. A spouse may be employment-authorised incident to status under current rules; children are not work-authorised through E-2 dependency.
Consular issuance and USCIS processing vary; extensions depend on continuing eligibility.
Keep the enterprise real, active and non-marginal. Develop and direct the business or perform the approved employee role. Maintain an intention to depart when E status ends.
E-2 status is not a Green Card and does not determine tax residence. A visa and an in-country status record serve different purposes.
Let us talk about your plans
Start with what you want to achieve
Tell us what you want to achieve, who is involved and when you hope to make the move. We will help you understand the options and the next practical step.