E-2 Treaty Investor Visa (US)

A non-immigrant US visa allowing nationals of countries with a qualifying trade or investment treaty with the United States to enter and work to develop and direct a substantial investment in a US enterprise. The investment must be 'substantial' in relation to the business (no fixed minimum, but in practice typically $100,000+) and the enterprise must be real, operating, and more than marginal. Renewable indefinitely in two- to five-year increments as long as the business remains operational, but E-2 does not lead directly to a green card. Countries without E-2 treaties (including India, China, and Brazil) cannot use this route. Some applicants first acquire citizenship of a treaty country — such as Grenada or Turkey — specifically to qualify.