The E-2 visa classification is authorized for a foreign national who is coming to the U.S. to direct and develop the operations of an enterprise in which the individual has invested or is actively involved in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital. The E-2 visa has some major benefits, such as:

  • Fast processing time and a validity period of up to five years for certain countries;
  • The ability for the foreign national and the family members to reside in the United States;
  • The foreign national can work for the E-2 business;
  • The spouse can work anywhere without restriction;
  • The child can go to public or private school in the United States;
  • Possibility to avoid taxation on worldwide income; and
  • The ability to get indefinite extension after each validity period.

However, the E-2 visa is only available for foreign nationals who possess the nationality of a country with which the United States maintains a bilateral investment treaty or a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation. Per the list of treaty countries published by the U.S. Department of State, the E-2 visa is available to nationals of roughly 80 countries in the world.