I.N.A. §101(a)(15)(E)

E-2 Treaty Investor visas are available to persons entering the United States “solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which s/he has invested, or is actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital.”  At least 50% of the ownership of the enterprise must be in the hands of nationals of a country with which the U.S. and the home country have a ratified bilateral investment treaty (see the current list of E-1 and E-2 treaty signatories here).  Employees of the enterprise who are working in management, executive or “essential” positions are also eligible for E-2 visas if the ownership breakdown meets the above test.

Some of the more important requirements for an E-2 visa include the following: