Small businesses are a familiar part of life in the United Kingdom. From fish and chip stalls to family-run repair shops, they’re a common presence on high streets across the country. According to the UK government, there were 5.5 million private sector businesses at the start of 2023, and over 99 percent of them employed fewer than 50 people. These businesses make up a major share of private sector employment and are vital to the UK economy.
The UK has a strong culture of entrepreneurship, and for many business owners, expanding into the United States is a possibility worth considering. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa offers a structured way to invest in a U.S. business and live there to manage it.
What the E-2 Visa Offers UK Citizens
The E-2 visa allows eligible UK nationals to start or acquire a business in the United States and work in it legally. It is based on a long-standing treaty of commerce between the UK and the U.S.
This visa is non-immigrant. It does not provide permanent residency, but it can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business stays active and compliant.
What You Need to Qualify
To be eligible for the E-2 visa, a British citizen must:
- Hold UK nationality
- Invest a substantial amount of capital in a real, operating U.S. business
- Place that capital at risk, meaning it is committed and subject to loss
- Own at least 50 percent of the business or maintain operational control
- Enter the U.S. to develop and direct the business
- Show that the business is not marginal and can generate more than minimal income
There is no official minimum investment. The investment must be sufficient to support both launch and operational costs.
Getting Started
British entrepreneurs exploring the E-2 visa can take advantage of UK government services that support international business expansion. These include help with market research, export financing, and overseas investment planning.
- Department for Business and Trade – Offers tools, guidance, and programs to help UK businesses expand internationally
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade - UK Export Finance – Provides government-backed loans and insurance to support export growth and overseas investment
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-export-finance - GOV.UK Business Support Helpline – Offers personalized advice on starting or expanding a business abroad
https://www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline - UK Government Travel Advice – USA – Details entry requirements, including visa information, for UK citizens traveling to the U.S.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
Sources
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2024/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2024-statistical-release
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/treaty.html
- https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/e-2-treaty-investors