The E-2 visa allows citizens of countries that have signed a Treaty Agreement with the US to open or buy a business in America and relocate with their family. Among the post-Soviet countries listed are Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the Baltic states. According to the material, approval under this program exceeds 90%, and the US issues more than 50,000 such visas annually.
Who the E-2 Visa Is For
The main condition is holding the right citizenship: the country must be a party to a trade treaty with the US. The material lists Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the Baltic states among such countries.
The visa’s renewal period is unlimited: it can be renewed an unlimited number of times while working in the US, without obtaining a green card. At the same time, the E-2 visa can serve as a basis for transitioning to a green card.
Children under 21 can come along with their parents. Spouses receive not only the right to come but also the right to work.
Criteria That Must Be Met
The law does not define what constitutes a substantial investment. Based on the experience described in the material, this is more than $100,000, of which 70% must be spent by the time of filing, not afterward. The remaining funds serve as the company’s operating reserve.
The investment must be of legal origin: it’s necessary to show that the money was earned legally, taxes were paid on it, and the entire history of transfers can be confirmed up to the point it entered the American business.
The investment must be at risk. In the example described, about $70,000 out of the initial $100,000 is invested for this purpose.
The business must demonstrate economic activity. Initially, this is shown through a business plan; if the business already exists, it must be shown to be operating, employing staff, and generating profit.
E-2 Visa Criteria According to the Material
What needs to be covered besides the right citizenship
- Investment amountmore than $100,00070% spent by time of filing; the rest is an operating reserve
- Legal origin of fundsdocumented transfer history and paid taxes
- Investment at riskabout $70,000out of $100,000 at the start
- Economic activitybusiness plan for a startup; existing business — hiring and profit
What This Looks Like in Practice
One option is a startup. You need to set up a company in which the applicant owns at least 50%, deposit clean funds into its account, and spend them according to the business plan — around $70,000 in expenses — showing how the business will develop and generate profit.
Another option is purchasing an existing business. Both paths share the same criteria.
If applying from outside the US, the process goes through a consulate. If the applicant is in the US without TPS, but only with UFU, the material notes that the visa can be obtained through the embassy, with filing via Warsaw.
Trends and the Further Path to a Green Card
In 2026, there is a noticeable rise in the popularity of franchises — from small cafés to large well-known chains. They are easy to document as purchase expenses, and they offer support for business development.
The second trend is combining E-2 with innovative fields: IT, artificial intelligence, marketing, green energy, professional services, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and cybersecurity.
The third trend is planning the transition to a green card. The main routes are: EB-5 (by growing the business to ten employees and investing one million dollars or more), EB-2 National Interest Waiver, and EB-1A for talented entrepreneurs.
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