Many entrepreneurs dream of moving to the USA and building their own business there. While Green Cards are hard to obtain, the E-2 visa offers a realistic and comparatively flexible route to live and work in the United States for the long term. What’s particularly interesting: the E-2 visa can be approved with an investment starting at around US$100,000, provided the business plan is compelling.
This article explains step by step how the E-2 visa works, which requirements apply, which business ideas are likely to succeed, and what investors need to pay particular attention to.
The E-2 visa, officially the Treaty Investor Visa, allows citizens of countries that have a trade treaty with the USA to set up, run and manage their own business in the United States and live there.
Unlike a Green Card, the E-2 is not an immigrant visa; it is a non-immigrant residence visa based on entrepreneurship.
Advantages:
No fixed minimum investment: US$100,000 can be enough.
Unlimited renewals as long as the business remains active.
Spouse receives work authorisation.
Children under 21 may travel with you and attend school.
Limitations:
No direct path to a Green Card (except through separate programmes).
The visa is tied to the specific business.
The business must sustainably create jobs and generate economic value.
To obtain an E-2 visa, both personal and business criteria must be met.
The applicant is a citizen of a country with which the USA has a valid “Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation” (e.g. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, the UK)
The investor holds at least 50% of the company shares or occupies an executive role.
There is an intention to return to the home country once the visa ends.
The applicant must assume operational control of the business or actively participate in management.
Substantial investment: capital must be proportionate to the total cost of the business. For most business concepts, the realistic threshold is between US$80,000 and US$150,000.
“At risk” investment: the funds must already be invested or irrevocably committed.
A real, operating commercial enterprise: no mailbox company or inactive holding company.
Marginality rule: the business must not serve only the applicant’s livelihood; it must contribute to the US economy, ideally by creating jobs for US citizens.
Many applicants think they need to invest millions to have a chance, but that is not true. USCIS assesses investments relative to the requirements of the relevant industry.
Small service or consultancy firms can already be substantial with US$100,000.
For more capital-intensive sectors (e.g. hospitality or manufacturing), higher amounts are common.
The key question is: “Is the investment high enough to make business success realistic?”
Clear financial planning with a transparent use of funds (equipment, marketing budget, working capital) looks professional even with US$100,000—provided the business plan is convincing.
The business idea must be viable, active and profit-oriented. Here are some promising models in the budget range up to US$100,000:
Franchise businesses
Ideal if you want a proven business model. Many franchises fall between US$70,000 and US$120,000. Examples: cleaning services, coffee shops, fitness studios, or quick-service restaurants in the micro-franchise segment.
Consulting and marketing services
Consulting for German-American companies, online marketing or IT services require low fixed costs. The main share goes into operating funds, office setup, website and the first employees.
Import/export business
German quality products are in demand in the USA. Trading companies focusing on specialist products (machine components, technical textiles, natural cosmetics) have good prospects.
E-commerce or Amazon FBA
Online shops with warehousing in the USA can be visa-suitable, provided they are run as an independent registered company with a US presence.
Hospitality or food-truck concept
A solid investment (truck, equipment, start-up capital) can also be E-2 suitable. Particularly popular in Florida, Texas and California.
Specialised services
Mobile car detailing, property management, translation services, account management or niche services—what matters is a demonstrable US market.
1. Preparation (3–6 months)
Create a professional business plan (executive summary, market analysis, financial plan, staffing structure).
Choose and register the business entity (usually an LLC or a corporation).
Make the investment: open accounts, sign contracts, purchase equipment, keep booking/payment evidence.
Prove the source of funds (bank documents, inheritance or sale documentation).
2. Documentation (2–3 months)
Required documents:
Form DS-160
DS-156E (E-visa supplement)
Passport, passport photos
Evidence of the investment and company formation
Financial documents and bank statements
Lease agreement and invoices
Employment and supplier contracts
Translated and certified documents
3. Submission (1–2 weeks)
The application is filed at the US consulate. After paying the visa fees and booking an appointment, all documents are submitted.
4. Interview (2–4 weeks waiting time)
At the consulate, your business plan, background and future plans will be discussed. The applicant should know the business plan inside out and provide coherent answers about the investment.
5. Approval and entry
After a successful review, the visa is typically issued for 2 to 5 years. When entering the USA, you receive Form I‑94, which confirms your immigration status.
Cost category | Amount (approx.) |
Business investment | US$100,000 |
Working-capital reserve | US$20,000–30,000 |
Visa and consular fees | US$500–700 |
Legal and advisory fees | US$7,000–15,000 |
Translations and notarisation | US$500–1,500 |
Total costs | US$110,000–135,000 |
Tip: USCIS pays more attention to capital being at risk and properly implemented than to the absolute figures. A poorly documented investment counts for less than a smaller but well-structured one.
An incomplete or weak business plan.
An investment that is too low for the relevant industry.
Missing documentation of the source of funds.
A “marginal business” with no economic value added.
A pure property investment with no active business role.
No physical presence in the USA.
Unrealistic revenue or job forecasts.
It is important to submit the application no later than after making the investment but before full operations begin; filing too early or too late can cause issues.
The E-2 visa can be renewed indefinitely. What matters is that the business:
remains active,
maintains jobs,
generates profits or shows growth.
Long-term options:
Switch to an EB‑5 Green Card (from an US$800,000 investment).
EB‑1A/EB‑1C for outstanding entrepreneurs or managers.
Marriage to a US citizen.
Employer-sponsored residence programmes.
Many E-2 investors stay in the USA for years or even decades through visa renewals.
E-2 visa holders are often considered tax-resident in the USA if they spend more than 183 days per year there. The Substantial Presence Test is decisive.
Key points:
Double taxation treaties help prevent double taxation.
The business structure affects the tax burden (LLC = pass-through, corporation = separate taxation).
Bookkeeping, tax returns and social security contributions must be maintained on time.
Recommended: a tax adviser with experience in both countries.
Life in the USA offers many opportunities for entrepreneurs, but also some day-to-day differences.
Popular states for E-2 entrepreneurs:
Florida (favourable taxes, large German-speaking market)
Texas (booming economy, lower cost of living)
California (high demand, but more expensive)
Nevada (no income tax)
North Carolina (increasingly popular for start-ups)
Important areas of daily life:
Health insurance: arrange privately, often via the Marketplace.
Driving licence: apply again locally.
Children: public or international schools.
Building credit: important for later business growth.
Networking: chambers of commerce and expat communities in regions such as Miami, Austin or Los Angeles.
A classic example is a Munich entrepreneur who started with a franchise bakery in Florida. With an investment of around US$95,000 (equipment, franchise fee and rental deposit), he received the E-2 visa and now employs five local staff.
Another example: a German marketing consultant founded a digital agency in Austin, Texas, with US$100,000 in start-up capital; after two years she was able to renew her visa and now employs three US staff members.
The E-2 visa is one of the most flexible and promising ways for entrepreneurs to move to the USA, especially with an investment budget of around US$100,000. It opens access to a huge market, tax advantages in many states, and long-term residence options.
What matters most:
A convincing business plan,
A transparent investment model,
Clean documentation and realistic financial planning.
If you want to set up your international structure in a legally robust and orderly way from the outset and avoid costly mistakes, book a free consultation with us now.
No, the E-2 visa does not lead directly to a Green Card because it is a non-immigrant visa. However, E-2 holders can transition indirectly via the EB-5 Investor Programme (at least a US$800,000 investment in job-creating projects), EB-1A for extraordinary ability, EB-1C as a manager, or through employer sponsorship (EB-2/EB-3). Family-based options such as marriage to a US citizen are also possible. The change is usually done through Adjustment of Status in the USA and typically takes 1–3 years. Immigration advice is essential for this.
The E-2 visa is typically issued for 2–5 years, often 5 years under the relevant US treaty. On entry, the I-94 form initially grants up to 2 years’ stay, which can be extended through unlimited renewals (two years each time). The requirement is an active, successful business that contributes economically. There is no upper limit as long as the criteria are met.
The E-2 visa ties you strictly to the business you invested in, so changing jobs or other employment is prohibited. It does not provide permanent status and offers no direct route to a Green Card or citizenship, meaning you are dependent on the business’s success. Children lose status at age 21 and have no right to work, and full US tax obligations may apply for longer stays. If the business closes or the visa is refused, you must leave the USA.
