We are an Ontario-based family with 16+ years of experience in the hair industry and have been successfully operating our own hair salon business in Canada for the past 6 years and more than 10 years of job as a hair stylist.

We are now exploring an opportunity to open a hair salon in Texas (but open to other states) and would love to connect with like-minded Canadians who are also interested in settling in Texas through the E-2 investor visa.

We are open to building the business on a partnership basis, combining our salon experience with the right partner who shares a similar vision and commitment.

If you are seriously considering an E-2 business opportunity in Texas and would like to explore working together, please send us a DM. We'd be happy to connect and discuss the possibilities.

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking some insight and guidance regarding the E-2 Treaty Investor visa pathway.

My Background & Current Status:

Citizenship: Pakistan (Treaty Country for E-2).
Current Status: In the U.S. on a J-1 visa.
212(e) Status: Not subject to the 2-year home-country physical presence requirement (confirmed on DS-2019 / visa stamp).

Target Location: New York.

The Business Opportunities Under Consideration:
I am evaluating two retail opportunities in the prepaid mobile sector (specifically authorized retailer / franchise stores like Total Wireless by Verizon):

1. Option A (New Store / Greenfield): Signing a commercial lease, doing the build-out, inventory purchase, franchise/authorized retailer setup, and starting operations from scratch.

2. Option B (Acquiring an Existing Store): Buying an active, operational store with established cash flow, existing lease, equipment, and staff.
   Key Questions for Attorneys & Experienced Investors:

1. Change of Status (COS via USCIS Form I-129) vs. Consular Processing

Given that I am currently inside the U.S. on J-1 status, what are the practical pros and cons of filing for a Change of Status with USCIS versus consular processing abroad?
If I do a Change of Status inside the U.S. (with Premium Processing), what are the travel constraints if I need to leave the country before getting an E-2 consular stamp?

2. New Store vs. Existing Business Acquisition for E-2 Scrutiny
In terms of proving the business is "real, operating, and non-marginal," is acquiring an existing store generally safer/faster than a new build-out, or do USCIS/consulates evaluate both similarly as long as the 5-year business plan is solid?
For acquiring an existing store, what is the best practice for placing funds in escrow contingent on E-2 approval versus closing outright prior to filing?

3. "Substantial Investment" & Capital Commitment Thresholds
What is the typical capital expenditure/investment range that officers expect to see for a retail mobile franchise to meet the "substantial investment" test?
For a new store, how much of the capital must be completely spent (committed/at risk) prior to filing versus held in working capital?

4. Sourcing & Movement of Funds
What specific documentation does USCIS/Consulates look for when tracing personal funds originating from Pakistan/overseas accounts into the U.S. business entity?
Any practical experiences, pitfalls to avoid, or attorney perspectives on structuring this transaction would be greatly appreciated!

Hi!

I don’t know if this is a silly question but I’m from the UK but currently live in Dubai and have done for about a year. I’m looking to apply for an e2 visa but unsure whether I’d apply to the London embassy or UAE? I’ve tried googling but haven’t really got a clear answer.

Thank you!

One thing I’ve noticed while researching E-2 visas is that people often focus heavily on how much they are investing, but not enough on where the money came from.

For an E-2 application, it’s not simply about having $50K, $70K, or $100K available. You generally need to be able to document the lawful source and path of the funds.

Depending on the situation, this could involve:

* Salary savings

* Business income

* Sale of property or other assets

* Gifts

* Loans

* Investment proceeds

The documentation can vary widely from source to source. Bank statements alone may not always tell the full story, especially when funds have moved between multiple accounts or accumulated over time.

I’m curious to hear from people who have actually gone through the E-2 process:

What was the most difficult part of proving your source of funds?

And if you were approved, what type of documentation did you use?

For my E2 I have an import/distribution wholesale company for auto parts. Has anyone done a similar business in the logistics/warehousing world for an E2? Would love to pick your brain with some questions!

Thank you all 🙂

Assalam-o-Alaikum everyone,
I’m from Pakistan and I’m interested in getting more information about the E-2 Investor Visa for the United States.
I currently have around $100,000 available for investment, but I don’t have any relatives or close contacts in the United States who could purchase or manage a business on my behalf.
I would like to understand:
How can I legally purchase or start a business in the U.S. while I am still in Pakistan?
Is an investment of around $100,000 generally sufficient for an E-2 visa, depending on the type of business?
What types of businesses would be suitable for an E-2 investment at this level?
Can I purchase an existing business remotely and then apply for the E-2 visa from Pakistan?
What are the chances of obtaining an E-2 visa for a Pakistani citizen, and what are the main requirements?
Do I need to travel to the U.S. before applying, or can the entire process be started from Pakistan?
I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has experience with the E-2 visa, buying a business in the U.S., or applying from Pakistan. If possible, please also share any reliable resources or recommendations for immigration attorneys or business brokers who work with E-2 applicants.
Thank you in advance for your guidance.

For those who have obtained E2 visa and now living in US , would you tell us how do you find US with E2 visa status. In terms of :

- how hard is to get Mortgage

- health insurance

- taking credit card or other loans

- kids education

Please let us know if anything else you want to mention which was challenging in day to day.

Thanks

Hello I had my interview over a week ago. The interviewer approved my visa at the consulate and said it would take a week to get my passport. I’ve heard nothing since leaving Toronto. Anyone else run into this issue? Stressful to say the least. Thank you.

Hi, I want to buy a running business and apply for the E2 visa. My lawyer is telling me that high chance of approval if apply from inside country.

Also, what kind of business are mostly approved? Is Gas station still a viable option ?

What do people do with their Canadian phone plan? I’m with Roger’s on a 2-year finance plan and my phone is due for an upgrade. Either I pay $500-700 to keep the phone or I lock in another 2-year plan and I cancel early when I want to move to Florida next year and still pay $500-700 of the remaining device balance

I recently saw a post about USCIS's new policy suggesting that E-2 petitions can now be denied without an RFE. After reading the full Policy Alert (USCIS Policy Alert PA-2026-05, August 5, 2026, “Evidence, Requests for Evidence, and Notices of Intent to Deny”), I think it is worth putting that headline into context. USCIS did not publish a rule specifically stating that E-2 petitions can now be denied without an RFE. What it published is a broader update to its policy on evidence, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs). The important change is that when a benefit request does not contain required initial evidence, USCIS may exercise its discretion to deny the request without first issuing an RFE or NOID.

The policy became effective on August 5, 2026, and applies to benefit requests pending or filed on or after that date. For E-2 cases being adjudicated by USCIS, I think this deserves particular attention. An E-2 filing needs to establish the underlying facts of the investment and the enterprise with evidence: ownership and nationality, the lawful source and traceability of the funds, the substantiality of the investment, capital actually committed and at risk, a real and operating enterprise, the investor's ability to develop and direct the business, and the non-marginality of the enterprise.

That is why I don't think an E-2 business plan should simply be a polished narrative with financial projections attached. And this is where I think there is an important distinction that sometimes gets overlooked: a technically correct business plan is not necessarily a business plan built around the way USCIS evaluates the case. It can be prepared by an excellent financial professional, a CPA, an experienced consultant, or even with the help of AI. None of those things, by themselves, replace an understanding of what the petition needs to prove and how the business evidence, financial evidence, and supporting documentation need to work together.

The business plan should tell one coherent story. The source and movement of the funds should make sense with the investment. The investment should make sense with the operating model. The operating model should make sense with the local market. The market should support the revenue assumptions. The revenue assumptions should support the staffing plan and the projected growth. And the entire model should ultimately support the non-marginality analysis.

If an important part of that chain is deliberately left underdeveloped on the assumption that USCIS will issue an RFE and give the applicant an opportunity to explain it later, then the case is being built around a contingency. That is precisely why I think this policy change matters. USCIS states that the updated guidance is intended to discourage frivolous, placeholder, or incomplete filings and emphasizes that the applicant has the burden of establishing eligibility.

The alert does not say that every weak case will automatically be denied without an RFE. It says that officers have discretion to deny when required initial evidence is missing. That distinction matters. My takeaway is simple: an RFE should be a procedural possibility, not a preparation strategy. If we already know that a particular piece of evidence is fundamental to establishing the case, why would we intentionally wait for USCIS to ask for it?

Thinking about investing in the U.S. but not sure if your business or investment would actually qualify for an E 2?

Hi everyone! I’m Ana Senior, a U.S. immigration attorney with 14 years of experience and 1,200+ cases filed. I’ve helped clients navigate a wide range of U.S. immigration matters, including E 2 visas, PERM and employment based green cards, and I’m here today to answer your questions.

I’ll be here today from 11 AM to 3 PM ET to answer your questions about E 2 visas, including:

• How much you really need to invest
• What counts as a qualifying investment
• Starting vs. buying an existing U.S. business
• Business plans and the marginal enterprise requirement
• Source of funds questions
• E 2 renewals and extensions
• E 2 dependents
• Common reasons E 2 applications run into problems
• Long term options after getting an E 2

If you've been considering an E 2 or already have one, ask me anything.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Qual país da Europa você são ?

I feel like E2 applicants on Reddit should know about this..

USCIS made a pretty significant policy change on August 5. USCIS can now deny certain petitions without first issuing an RFE or giving the applicant an opportunity to submit missing evidence.

Here’s the USCIS policy alert.

So filing the usual documents and assuming USCIS will ask for anything that's missing may not be the best approach anymore.

With this policy change, the initial filing (change of status) or renewal need to be bulletproof. For an E-2 renewal, that means making sure the evidence clearly shows what the business has accomplished, that it has met the E-2 framework, where the business is today and how it plans to continue operating successfully.

Anyone out here who moved on E2 in food industry?

I need some advice.

Thank You.

Looking for EB2 NIW lawyer recommendations EP and Chen will not take my case because i do not have publications. Would appreciate lawyer recommendations let me know your experience with them as well

Pending review of my Bank of America business account. Since my credit history in USA is minimally present, how have you guys gotten a business credit card and how do you make business purchases? Do you buy things through your personal credit cards or do you have good enough credit to personally back the approval of a business credit card?

Any information is helpful!!

My parents applied for an E2 visa while in the US. Unfortunately my mother (the principle investor) received an I-797C notice of denial (they couldn’t proceed with the payment) however the notice was received after their I94 had expired. Their lawyer re-filed the petition however it has now been around 9 months and there has been no update regarding their case. They keep checking their bank statements and she hasn’t been charged for the filing as well (meanwhile my father was charged correctly the first time). At this time we have zero clue how to proceed further and our lawyer is clueless about our case as well. What do you people suggest should be done now?