E 2 Visa Business Plan Sample – Employee Requirements

E 2 visa business plan sample is a very common search term when it comes to those applying through the E2 visa application system. However, there are a number of other concerns for those looking to set up business in the United States.

One such area is employment. Unlike the EB5 visa, which requires that you hire at least ten employees for your business, the E2 visa does not require that your business employs a set amount of people. However, despite this, the investor must be coming to the country in order to develop the business – and this includes directing business through its employees. This means that the investor should not be the sole provider of services. Also, a crucial factor that must be present in your immigration business plan is that you must show that you intend to contribute to the local economy – and this is done through the employment of local workers. This can be a crucial determinant in whether or not your business is a marginal one and, therefore, whether it is applicable or not applicable for an E2 visa. Contractors can also count towards this – meaning that you will still be contributing to the local community (as in the case of a construction company, for instance). Employment is just as important as profit. Even if your business is low profit, demonstrating that you intend to employ – or contract – a lot of people can be a crucial factor in whether you receive your E2 visa. All of these things must be demonstrated in your E2 visa business plan.An E 2 visa business plan sample is, therefore, crucial to your application. It’s your chance to plead the case for your business. At Immigration Business Plan, our expertise will help you take that opportunity with both hands. Contact us today on +1 (646) 612 7572, email us via info@immigrationbusinessplan.com or visit https://www.immigrationbusinessplan.com/.

What are the application requirements for an E2 visa for employees?

If you’re an E2 investor planning to bring key personnel to the U.S. to aid in your business endeavors, knowing the specifics about the E2 employee visa is essential. This visa category allows certain employees of treaty investors to work in the United States, provided they meet strict eligibility criteria.

Key Criteria for the E2 Employee Visa

To secure an E2 employee visa, both the employing business and the employee must fulfill specific requirements:

Business Registration and Investment: The business must be registered with the U.S. E-Visa Unit. This involves demonstrating that the enterprise is legitimate, active, and that a significant financial investment has been made or is in progress by the primary treaty investor.
Nationality Requirements: The employee must share the same nationality as the treaty investor or the majority-owned enterprise. This is a critical stipulation under the E2 regulations.
Role and Skills: The employee should be coming to the U.S. To fill a role that is either executive or supervisory in nature, or they must have specialized skills that are crucial to the business’s operations. The role and skills must be well-documented and justified.
Intent to Depart: There must be a clear intention for the employee to leave the United States once their E2 visa status concludes. This is a non-negotiable aspect of the temporary visa status.

The Application Journey

Securing an E2 visa is a multi-step process involving documentation and adherence to specific regulations set forth by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Pre-planning and accurate filing will play a significant part in the success of your application. Additionally, understanding the duration of the visa and how to apply for extensions can help you better plan your business’s workforce needs in the U.S.

Navigating the E2 visa application might seem complex, but clearly understanding these requirements will streamline the process for both you and your employees.

What does an E2 employee visa allow?

An E2 employee visa lets you live and work in the U.S. for a company owned by a qualifying treaty investor. Here’s what it provides:

Work Authorization Tied to One Employer: You’re authorized to work only for the specific investor’s business. Any other employment in the U.S. would require separate permission.
Family Benefits: Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany you. Spouses can apply for an Employment Authorization Document to work for any U.S. employer, while children may attend school.
Freedom to Travel: You and your family can enter and exit the U.S. at will, as long as your visa and status remain valid and your trips align with E2 purposes.

In essence, the E2 employee visa enables key personnel to join and support treaty-investor enterprises in the U.S., while offering their families the ability to live, study, and (in the spouse’s case) work.

How do you apply for an E2 employee visa?

Applying for an E2 employee visa involves several steps and requires meticulous preparation to ensure all documents and requirements are met. Below is a streamlined guide to help you navigate this complex process.

Ensure a Qualifying Treaty Enterprise
- The U.S. company must be majority-owned (≥50%) and controlled by nationals of an E2 treaty country.
- It must be a bona fide, active business with a substantial investment “at risk.”
Complete the Online Application (Form DS-160)
- Fill out Form DS-160 at the Consular Electronic Application Center.
- Upload a suitable passport-style photo.
- Save the confirmation page—you’ll need it for your interview.
Prepare the Supplemental E2 Form (DS-156E)
- Detail the treaty enterprise’s ownership, investment amount, and nature of business.
- Describe the employee’s role—executive, managerial, or “specialized knowledge.”
Assemble Supporting Documentation
- Proof of Nationality: Passports showing employee and investor share the same treaty-country citizenship.
- Business Evidence: Articles of incorporation, operating agreements, leases, contracts, tax returns, organizational charts.
- Investment Proof: Bank statements, wire transfers, purchase agreements demonstrating capital “at risk.”
- Employee Qualifications:
  - Detailed job description
  - Resume/CV
  - Educational diplomas, professional licenses
  - Evidence of specialized skills (if not in an executive/managerial role)
- Intent to Depart: A signed statement affirming the employee will leave the U.S. when their E2 status ends.
Schedule & Prepare for Your Consular Interview
- Pay the visa fee and any required reciprocity fee.
- Book an appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your jurisdiction.
- Gather originals and copies of all forms, fees, and supporting documents. Be ready to explain the business plan, your role, and your planned activities in the U.S.
Attend the Visa Interview
- Bring your passport, DS-160 and DS-156E confirmations, fee receipts, and supporting papers.
- Answer questions clearly and confidently about the enterprise, your role, and your temporary intent.
Receive Your E2 Visa & Enter the U.S.
- Upon approval, your passport will be stamped with the E2 visa.
- You may then travel to a U.S. port of entry and receive an I-94 granting E2 status.
Maintain Status & Plan Extensions
- Work only for the sponsoring enterprise.
- File Form I-129 (and I-539 for dependents) with USCIS before your I-94 expires if you wish to extend or change status in-country.
- Dependents (spouse and children under 21) may apply for derivative E2 status and spouses can seek employment authorization.

By following these steps—ensuring the business qualifies, completing the required forms accurately, and preparing thoroughly for your consular interview—you’ll position yourself for a successful E2 employee visa application.

Can you extend an E2 employee visa?

Yes, you can extend an E2 employee visa as often as needed, provided the underlying treaty enterprise continues to meet E2 requirements and the employee maintains non-immigrant intent. Key points:

Unlimited Extensions: There’s no statutory cap on renewals—so long as the business remains “at risk,” operational, and majority-owned by treaty-nation nationals, you may keep applying.
Timely Filings: File your extension (Form I-129 for the employee, and I-539 for any dependents) before the current I-94 expires to maintain uninterrupted status.
Ongoing Eligibility: The employee must continue serving in the approved executive, managerial, or specialized role, and affirm intent to depart the U.S. when their E2 status ends.
No Direct Green Card Path: E2 status itself doesn’t lead to permanent residency—holders wishing to pursue a green card must switch to an immigrant-intent category (e.g., EB-2 or EB-5).

By meeting these conditions and filing on time, an E2 employee can remain in status indefinitely, renewing as long as the enterprise and role qualify.

How long does an E2 employee visa last?

The validity period for an E2 employee visa is set by the U.S. Department of State’s reciprocity schedule for each treaty country, but generally falls into these ranges:

Initial Issuance: Typically 1–5 years, depending on your nationality’s reciprocity agreement. Many applicants see 2- or 3-year stamps, though some nationalities receive 5-year validity.
Subsequent Renewals: You can renew your E2 status indefinitely in‐country (via Form I-129) or obtain a new visa stamp abroad, as long as the underlying enterprise remains qualified and you continue in your approved role.
Maintaining Status: Extensions filed before your I-94 expiration grant continued work authorization—up to 240 days of grace if timely filed—while USCIS adjudicates.

Because each country’s schedule differs, always check the Department of State’s reciprocity table for your nationality to confirm the exact validity period you’ll receive.

Is the E2 visa a green card?

No. The E2 visa is a nonimmigrant classification, not a green card. Here’s how they differ:

Temporary Status: The E2 visa lets you live and work in the U.S. based on a substantial investment in a qualifying treaty-country enterprise, but it remains a temporary status.
Unlimited Renewals: You can renew your E2 status indefinitely, provided the business stays viable and you continue to meet all requirements.
No Direct Path to Permanent Residency: Unlike a green card, the E2 visa does not confer permanent resident status nor lead directly to one. To get a green card, you must qualify under a separate immigrant-intent category (e.g., an employment-based preference like EB-2 or EB-5).

Understanding this distinction is essential for long-term U.S. residency planning.