Many entrepreneurs want the fastest route to an E-2 investor visa, but speed depends less on a single shortcut and more on a few practical choices: which passport they hold, where they apply, and how well-prepared their investment documentation is.

What “fastest” means for an E-2 application

When people compare speed, they usually mean one or more of the following:

  • Appointment wait time at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
  • Adjudication time — how long it takes the consulate or USCIS to decide the case after submission.
  • Total calendar time from deciding to pursue E-2 to receiving status or the visa stamp.
  • Administrative and documentary readiness — having clean source-of-funds evidence, contracts, leases, and payroll that reduce requests for more evidence.

Any passport that shortens one or more of those components improves overall speed. That means the “fastest passports” are those that (1) are from a U.S. treaty country, (2) have access to U.S. consulates with shorter wait times or more flexible third-country processing policies, or (3) can be acquired quickly through lawful naturalization or reputable citizenship-by-investment programs that lead to treaty nationality. The single most important prerequisite is being a national of an eligible treaty country — the State Department maintains the official list of treaty traders and treaty investors.

Primary application paths and typical speed differences

Consular processing (apply for the E-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate)

Consular processing is often the quickest route for applicants outside the United States because the applicant files no petition with USCIS; instead, he or she files for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. mission abroad.

Factors that influence speed here include:

  • Local interview appointment wait times — these vary dramatically by location and time of year; the Department of State publishes a Visa Appointment Wait Times tool at travel.state.gov.
  • Whether the consulate allows non-residents to schedule interviews there — some posts accept third-country nationals, others require applicants to be residents.
  • How quickly the consulate processes and returns the passport with the visa stamp after approval — often within a few business days but sometimes longer if additional administrative processing is required.

For well-prepared applicants from treaty countries who choose a consulate with short wait times, the timeline from interview to visa stamp can be measured in weeks. A key speed advantage is that consular officers often adjudicate straightforward E-2s quickly when the business is already operating and documentation is clean.

Change of status or extension inside the United States (USCIS)

Some investors are already in the U.S. and prefer to file an I-129 petition to request classification as an E-2 nonimmigrant or to extend/change status. This path can be slower because USCIS processing times fluctuate and Requests for Evidence (RFEs) can add months.

Things to note:

  • USCIS processing times for I-129 petitions vary by service center and can range from a few weeks to several months.
  • Premium processing may be available for certain petition types and periods; when available, it can substantially reduce adjudication time. Applicants should check the current USCIS premium processing policy at uscis.gov.
  • Change-of-status approvals grant E-2 status without a visa stamp; if the applicant later leaves the U.S., they must obtain a visa at a consulate to re-enter.

Because USCIS adjudication can be unpredictable, many applicants who want speed choose to apply at a consulate if they are outside the U.S. or can lawfully travel for an interview.

Acquiring treaty nationality (naturalization or citizenship-by-investment)

For nationals of countries that are not treaty partners, obtaining citizenship of a treaty country creates eligibility for the E-2. In practice, that can be a faster route than attempting to qualify through long or uncertain immigration categories — if the applicant can legitimately and lawfully obtain that nationality quickly.

Key points:

  • Some nations offer expedited citizenship options through investment programs; these programs have varying timelines and due-diligence standards. One well-known example frequently discussed among E-2 practitioners is Grenada, which is a treaty country for E-2 purposes. Applicants considering such programs should verify current program rules and government sources.
  • Applicants should evaluate tax, residency, and personal implications of new nationality and should use reputable agents and local counsel when pursuing citizenship-by-investment.

Be cautious: acquiring a passport to pursue an E-2 should be legal, transparent, and fully disclosed during U.S. visa processing.

How passport choice affects speed — practical frameworks

Instead of naming a definitive “fastest passport” list, it helps to categorize passports by the advantages they tend to offer in E-2 processing:

  • Category 1 — Treaty passports with low consular wait times: Nationals of treaty countries whose nearest U.S. embassy/consulate typically has short appointment waits can often secure interviews quickly.
  • Category 2 — Treaty passports with strong track records for straightforward adjudication: Nationals from countries whose applicants commonly present clear business credentials and credible source-of-funds documentation may face fewer RFEs and administrative delays.
  • Category 3 — Non-treaty passports: Holders must either obtain treaty nationality or pursue a different U.S. immigration path. For some applicants, acquiring treaty citizenship via a lawful program is the viable route to a fast E-2.

To know which category a passport falls into, the applicant must check the State Department treaty list and consult local consulate wait times and policies. The combination of being a treaty national and applying at a strategic consulate is what creates speed.

Actionable checklist to accelerate an E-2 application

Preparation shortens adjudication. The following checklist helps reduce delays:

  • Confirm treaty eligibility — verify the passport appears on the U.S. treaty list before spending other resources (State Department treaty list).
  • Choose consular vs. USCIS strategically — check consulate appointment wait times and USCIS processing averages; pick the path that historically moves faster for the applicant’s location.
  • Prepare crystal-clear documentation — proof of ownership, bank transfers, sale agreements, leases, invoices, payroll records, tax returns, and a convincing business plan focused on job creation and non-marginality.
  • Buy an established business or franchise when speed matters — a going concern with employees and revenue often reduces questions about viability and margins compared with a concept-stage startup.
  • Document source of funds carefully — clean paper trails and third-party valuations shorten background checks and reduce RFEs.
  • Consider third-country consulates — if the home-country consulate has long waits or restrictive policies, check which nearby U.S. missions accept non-resident applicants.
  • Work with experienced counsel — an attorney who files E-2s frequently can anticipate common questions and package materials in a consulate-friendly format.

Common pitfalls that slow or stall a case

Even treaty nationals can experience long delays if certain issues arise:

  • Unclear source of funds documentation or unexplained transfers that trigger additional verification.
  • Business models that seem speculative or show no realistic pathway to create U.S. jobs (risking findings of “marginality”).
  • Poorly organized evidence — missing originals, unsigned contracts, or inconsistent financial statements create extra questions for adjudicators.
  • Applying at consulates that restrict third-country national applications without planning for alternatives.

Realistic timeline examples (illustrative)

Timelines vary by consulate, USCIS workload, and case complexity, so the following are broad illustrations rather than guarantees:

  • Consular processing — well-prepared case, short consulate wait: interview scheduling and adjudication can happen in a few weeks to a few months.
  • Consular processing — busy consulate or additional administrative processing: the process may extend to several months.
  • Change of status via USCIS: filing to adjudication commonly takes several months and may be longer if an RFE is issued; premium processing, when available, can shorten the adjudication window.
  • Acquiring treaty citizenship to enable E-2: timelines for naturalization or lawful investment citizenship programs range widely; applicants must research each country’s legal pathway and government timelines.

Applicants should treat these timelines as planning tools and maintain flexibility. Schedules shift with diplomatic staffing, seasonal visa demand, and evolving USCIS policies.

Questions every applicant should ask early

Before spending money on an investment or a citizenship program, the applicant should ask:

  • Is my passport on the current list of E-2 treaty countries?
  • Which U.S. consulate is realistically available to me for an interview, and what are its appointment wait times?
  • Will I apply from outside the U.S. or file an I-129 with USCIS? If filing with USCIS, is premium processing available?
  • Is the planned business clearly non-marginal and likely to create U.S. jobs?
  • Do I have a defensible, thoroughly-documented source-of-funds story?

For those who want to narrow the options immediately: he or she should first verify treaty eligibility via the State Department list and check local consular appointment wait times; those two checks will quickly show whether passport strategy or consular selection can realistically shave months off the timeline.

Practical final tips to save time and stress

  • Start documentation early: bank records, property sale documents, and corporate paperwork can take weeks to assemble and certify.
  • Consider purchasing a business with employees if speed is the main objective; ongoing operations usually reduce written and oral questions at interview.
  • Use a targeted, concise business plan that focuses on realistic financial projections and job creation metrics.
  • Confirm consulate interview policies before booking travel; some consulates change third-country rules with little notice.
  • Keep the decision-maker available for the interview; consular officers want to speak with the principal investor who controls the enterprise.

If he or she wants help deciding which passport strategy or consulate is most likely to produce a fast, reliable result, consulting an experienced E-2 attorney can save both time and money by avoiding predictable rework. What passport does the reader hold, and what business does he or she plan to invest in? Sharing those details will make tailored advice possible.

Please Note: This blog is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be regarded as legal advice. As always, it is advisable to consult with an experienced immigration attorney for personalized guidance based on your specific circumstances.