What’s the minimum investment you can make while still ensuring E-2 visa approval?

The law does not specify a specific minimum amount because there are so many businesses that exist with it’s own purchase or startup cost.

Even though the U.S. Immigration doesn’t set a clear black and white minimum investment for the E-2 visa requirements, in practice we see an investment of $100,000 USD or more for most types of businesses be sufficient.

What about $70,000 to $90,000? That’s close enough right?

An investment less than $100,000 is definitely possible. However, your chances of receiving an E-2 visa DENIAL due to an insufficient investment becomes high the less you invest.

Don’t short change yourself. Put in the effort and real investment needed to show the visa officer that you mean business.

You don’t have to spend the full $100,000 if the business is a low-cost type of business.

Here is some good news, you do not actually have to spend the full $100,000. Working capital held inside the U.S. business bank account also counts towards the total investment.

For example, for a startup business, if it only costs $70,000 to startup this business (registering business, obtaining business licenses, renting business premise, furnishing, equipment, supplies, website, marketing, hiring U.S. workers, etc.), then the remaining $30,000 can be kept in as working capital in the U.S. business bank account. Although the total expenses were $70,000, the working capital of $30,000 could still be counted towards the total investment. The working capital must be held in the U.S. business bank account and not in a personal bank to count towards the total investment.

What if the business you want to start or purchase is very low cost and may not even reach $70,000 in expenses?

There are in deed some low costs businesses that are vary from $30,000 to $60,000. These are typically startup service based businesses such as a consulting or service business (e.g. marketing, business, accounting, IT, etc.).

Where a business is very low cost, it is important to get creative and find ways to boost the investment expense. Having a low cost business is not a strong and convincing argument for visa officers. A low investment has a high chance of visa denial becuase the visa officer would view the business as marginal (too small to succeed).

Ideas to increase investment expense (without it feeling like a waste of money):

  • Hiring U.S. workers and start payroll
  • Purchase larger inventory in advance
  • Purchase a business vehicle (not all vehicles will qualify)

For more ideas to increase investment expenses, contact us.

You might like:
E-2 Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More.
Contact Us

E-2 APPROVAL FOR HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES

More Businesses

Consulting

Gas Station

Homecare

Restaurant

Pharmacy

Wholesale

Auto Repair

Real Estate

Dental Practice

Apparel

Cafe

Fast Food

E-Commerce

Tutoring Service

Import/Export

Apparel/Clothing

More Businesses
Find Out If A
Business Qualifies

Contact Us

How are we different?

Our exclusive focus allows us to provide in-depth knowledge, experience, and tailored solutions to our E-2 clients. In other words, we give real answers to a variety of business, visa, logistical challenges that go beyond manuals and regulations.

Real
Strategies

that hundreds of clients have used for E-2 approval

Actual Knowledge & Experience

all team members have real E-2 experience and knowledge

Step-By-Step Guidance

detailed instructions (how to’s & tips) that go beyond a generic checklist

Referral Network

access to our private network of referrals who understand how to work with E-2 clients