Visa officers evaluate E-2 investments by looking for real economic impact, investor control, and credible plans for a sustained, active business in the United States.

What visa officers focus on when assessing E-2 visa investments

Before examining which industry sectors are viewed favorably, it helps to understand the core criteria that shape a visa officer’s decision. For an E-2 visa application, they generally look for evidence that the investment is bona fide, substantial, actively operated, and not merely marginal.

Key elements officers consider include:

• Bona fide enterprise: Is the business a real, operating commercial enterprise—registered, licensed, and capable of generating revenue?
• Substantial investment: Is the amount invested proportional to the cost of establishing or purchasing a viable business in that industry?
• Capital at risk: Is the investor placing funds at risk of loss to generate profit, rather than making a passive or protected investment?
• Marginality: Will the business generate more than enough income to support the investor and family, or will it primarily create job opportunities for U.S. workers?
• Investor control and role: Does the investor have the ability to develop and direct the enterprise (usually via majority ownership or managerial control)?
• Source of funds: Are the funds lawfully derived and well-documented?

These criteria come from guidance used by U.S. authorities such as USCIS and the Department of State; applicants can review official information on the USCIS E-2 Treaty Investors page and general visa policy at the U.S. Department of State.

Top industry sectors visa officers commonly view favorably for E-2 investments

Although decisions are made case-by-case, certain industry sectors tend to produce documentation and commercial realities that align well with the E-2 criteria. These sectors typically demonstrate clear job creation potential, meaningful capital deployment, and well-understood business models.

Manufacturing and light manufacturing

Manufacturing businesses often receive favorable scrutiny because they typically require substantial capital expenditures, physical facilities, equipment, and a workforce—clear indicators of economic benefit and non-marginality.

Why visa officers like it:

• Visible capital at risk (plant, machinery, inventory).
• Measurable job creation (production workers, supervisors, logistics).
• Ability to show contracts, supplier agreements, and sales pipelines.

Investor tips: present detailed equipment invoices, long-lead shipping documentation, workforce hiring timelines, and customer contracts or purchase orders.

Technology and software (SaaS, B2B platforms)

Technology companies, especially business-to-business (B2B) software and SaaS models, can be strong E-2 candidates when they demonstrate contracted revenue, recurring income, and a clear plan for scaling in the U.S. market.

Why visa officers like it:

• Scalable revenue models and recurring subscriptions are easy to quantify.
• Potential to create high-skilled jobs (developers, sales, customer success).
• Clear intellectual property, customer contracts, and pilot projects can evidence commercial viability.

Investor tips: include client contracts, letters of intent, a product roadmap, burn-rate vs. revenue projections, and evidence of U.S. market traction (pilot deployments, early customers).

Healthcare services and medical practices

Healthcare enterprises—such as urgent care clinics, specialty medical centers, and rehabilitation services—often demonstrate community need, steady revenue, and documented job creation for both clinical and administrative roles.

Why visa officers like it:

• Regulated environment with licensing and compliance records that verify legitimacy.
• Stable demand and recurring patient throughput support non-marginality.
• Ability to document capital investments in equipment, leases, and staffing plans.

Investor tips: provide state licensing, Medicare/insurance contracting status if available, staffing plans, and patient volume projections.

Renewable energy and clean technology

Projects in solar installation, energy storage, and related services require capital for equipment and installation crews, and often create local skilled jobs—characteristics that align with E-2 expectations.

Why visa officers like it:

• Physical projects and purchasing agreements show funds at risk.
• Long-term service contracts and community benefits underscore economic impact.

Investor tips: document equipment orders, installation contracts, service agreements, and any state or utility incentives that validate project feasibility.

Logistics, warehousing, and distribution

Supply chain businesses—fulfillment centers, last-mile logistics, and specialized warehousing—have capital needs for space, vehicles, and staff, plus measurable revenue streams tied to contracts and throughput.

Why visa officers like it:

• Clear, contract-driven revenue and immediate staffing needs.
• Visibility in physical assets (warehouses, fleet) supports capital-at-risk requirements.

Investor tips: include lease agreements, customer contracts, tracking of capital expenditures, and hiring schedules.

Hospitality and tourism businesses with scale (boutique hotels, tour operators)

Hospitality projects that are well-capitalized and show the ability to employ multiple full-time staff can be favorable. Small, low-investment businesses like single-person Airbnb operations typically raise marginality concerns.

Why visa officers like it:

• Visible capital investments in property and renovations.
• Job creation across operations, front-desk, maintenance, and marketing.

Investor tips: show reservations data, management contracts, staffing plans, and local marketing strategies.

Food production and agribusiness with processing or value-add components

Agriculture alone (land ownership or passive farming) can be problematic, but agribusinesses that incorporate processing, packaging, or export logistics show clear economic activity and are more persuasive.

Why visa officers like it:

• Processing facilities, packaging lines, and distribution equate to tangible capital and jobs.
• Export potential and supply contracts strengthen the business case.

Investor tips: present supplier agreements, purchase orders, equipment invoices, and food safety certifications if applicable.

Professional and business services (engineering, consulting, staffing)

Professional services that secure multi-year contracts with U.S. companies and hire local staff can show sustained economic impact. Purely one-person consultancies are more likely to be labeled marginal unless the revenues and staff plan are robust.

Why visa officers like it:

• Contract-driven revenue and clear service delivery models.
• Potential for hiring U.S. employees and subcontractors.

Investor tips: include signed contracts, third-party endorsements, client invoices, and growth projections tied to hiring.

Franchises with established U.S. performance records

Franchise investments can be persuasive if the model has a proven U.S. track record, clear unit economics, and a comprehensive franchise agreement showing support systems and marketing. Officers scrutinize whether the franchise investment is substantial and whether the investor will actively manage operations.

Why visa officers like it:

• Documented brand performance, training systems, and revenue benchmarks.
• Franchisors often provide financial performance representations (FPRs) and operations manuals that support feasibility.

Investor tips: submit the franchise disclosure document, pro forma financials, franchisor references, and evidence of investor managerial role.

How an investor should present sector strengths to a consular officer

Regardless of sector, well-organized evidence and a clear story matter most. Officers receive high volumes of cases; concise, credible documentation that maps directly to E-2 legal requirements significantly improves chances.

Essential documentation and presentation elements:

• Comprehensive business plan with market analysis, staffing timelines, and three- to five-year financial projections.
• Proof of capital at risk: bank transfers, escrow releases, cancelled checks, equipment invoices, or real estate closing statements.
• Contracts and letters of intent from customers, suppliers, or partners showing commercial traction.
• Employment plans that list expected hires, salaries, and hiring timelines to demonstrate non-marginality.
• Licenses and permits required for operation in the particular sector (healthcare licenses, state registrations, franchise agreements).
• Source-of-funds evidence: sale agreements, tax returns, bank statements, loan documents tracing money to lawful origins.

Common pitfalls by sector and how to avoid them

Some common weaknesses resurface across sectors. Here are a few examples and pragmatic fixes.

Turning a low-investment service into a credible E-2 proposal

• Problem: Small service businesses with little overhead are often labeled marginal.
• Fix: Package multiple revenue streams, show an expansion plan (multiple locations or contracts), and present firm hiring commitments.

Franchises that appear passive or undercapitalized

• Problem: Investing the minimum required franchising fees without demonstrating operational investment.
• Fix: Show capital expenditures for build-out, working capital to sustain operations until break-even, and an active managerial role.

Tech startups with high burn rates and no revenue

• Problem: Pure research-and-development projects with speculative timelines can look risky.
• Fix: Present paying pilot customers, letters of intent, or contract development milestones that demonstrate market interest.

Practical next steps for investors considering sector choice

Choosing the right sector is as much about an investor’s background and resources as it is about market opportunity. An investor should evaluate three practical questions:

• Does the business require substantial capital and create demonstrable jobs in a reasonable timeframe?
• Can the investor document the lawful source of funds and show those funds are at risk?
• Does the investor have the experience or a credible management team that can run the business?

Investors should also consult sector-specific data to support their case—sources like the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide helpful industry and employment data that can strengthen a business plan.

Finally, working with experienced counsel and an accountant familiar with E-2 documentation can dramatically improve how a case is presented at the consular interview.

Which sector best matches an investor’s skills and resources? Asking that question early, then mapping documentation to the E-2 legal elements, is the most effective way to prepare a compelling application and interview package.

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.