E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Attorneys in Allentown, Pennsylvania
We help international entrepreneurs and investors structure E-2 treaty investor visas to launch, acquire, and grow U.S. businesses with confidence.
Serving treaty country nationals, founders, franchise buyers, and investors across Pennsylvania and the United States with E-2 visa strategy, business plan support, source of funds documentation, and consular processing.
Investor Strategy, Built To Approve
Treaty investor visas built around your business plan.
At Lehigh Valley Immigration Law, we structure E-2 cases for entrepreneurs from treaty countries — start-up founders, franchise buyers, restaurant and hotel owners, tech investors, and acquirers of existing U.S. businesses — and we do it with an eye on what consular officers and USCIS actually approve.
An E-2 visa is not just paperwork. It is a story — your nationality, your funds, your business, and your active role — told in a way that satisfies "substantial investment," "at risk," "real and operating," and "more than marginal."
We work side-by-side with you, your business plan writer, your accountant, and your banker to build a filing that holds together under scrutiny, in English or in Spanish.
Capital is mobile. A plan to deploy it is the visa.
El capital es móvil. Un plan para desplegarlo es la visa.
How We Help
E-2 services we provide.
From the first idea to the renewal five years in, we represent E-2 investors, essential employees, and their families through every stage of the case.
New business E-2
Start-up and franchise launches structured for E-2 approval from day one
Business acquisition E-2
Buying an existing U.S. business — escrow strategy, asset purchase, share purchase
Essential employee E-2
E-2 visas for executives, supervisors, and specially trained personnel sent by the treaty investor
Source of funds packages
Tracing capital from source to U.S. business account in audit-ready form
Business plan support
Coordinating five-year financials and U.S. hiring projections with your plan writer
Consular processing
DS-160, DS-156E, embassy strategy, and interview preparation at U.S. consulates abroad
Change & extension of status
I-129 filings inside the U.S. for those already in valid nonimmigrant status
E-2 dependents (E-2S spouse)
Visas for spouses and children, plus spouse work authorization through E-2S status
We coordinate with your business plan writer, accountant, escrow agent, and banker so every document — from articles of organization to wire confirmations — supports the same approvable story.
Ready to plan your investment?
Start building an E-2 case that will actually be approved.
Whether you are forming a new entity, buying an existing business, or sending a key employee to a U.S. affiliate, an early conversation can save months — and prevent a denial.
During your consultation, we review your nationality, the business model, the proposed investment amount, the source of funds, your timeline, and the embassy or USCIS strategy that fits best. You leave with a clear plan and a realistic number for total legal cost.
FAQ
E-2 Treaty Investor FAQs
Quick answers before you wire funds or sign a lease.
Which countries qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa?
E-2 is only available to nationals of countries that maintain a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. Major treaty countries include Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and many others. Notable countries that do NOT have an E-2 treaty include India, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Russia, and most of the Middle East. We confirm treaty eligibility as the first step of every consultation.
How much do I need to invest for an E-2 visa?
There is no statutory minimum. The investment must be "substantial" relative to the total cost of the enterprise — meaning a high percentage of what it actually takes to start or buy this specific business. A small service business may qualify at $80,000–$120,000, while a restaurant or franchise may need $200,000–$400,000 or more. The key is proportionality and irrevocable commitment, not hitting an arbitrary number.
Is the E-2 visa a path to a green card?
No — the E-2 itself is a nonimmigrant visa with no direct path to permanent residence, and it is renewable indefinitely as long as the business operates and you maintain treaty country nationality. Many E-2 investors later transition to a green card through EB-5 investment, EB-1C multinational manager, family sponsorship, or PERM-based EB-2/EB-3. We plan the long-term roadmap from the start.
Can my spouse work on an E-2 visa?
Yes. Spouses of E-2 investors enter on E-2S derivative status and are automatically authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. — no separate EAD application required since the 2021/2022 policy change. Children under 21 can attend school but cannot work.
How long does the E-2 visa process take?
At a U.S. consulate abroad, the timeline depends on the post — some embassies issue E-2 appointments in a few weeks, others take months. Filing for change of status inside the U.S. with USCIS typically takes a few months but can be sped up with premium processing. We map the timeline against your lease, closing date, and arrival plan so nothing gets out of sync.
Can I file the E-2 from inside the United States?
Yes, if you are already in the U.S. in valid nonimmigrant status (B-1/B-2 visitor, F-1 OPT, H-1B, L-1, etc.), we can file an I-129 change of status to E-2 with USCIS. This grants you E-2 status but does not give you a visa stamp — to travel abroad and re-enter on E-2, you would still need a consular interview. Many investors choose direct consular processing instead for speed and to obtain a visa stamp in one step.
From our door in Allentown to your American enterprise.
Every E-2 case is more than a visa — it is a business that hires Americans, serves a community, and gives a family roots in the United States. We help treaty investors build that future, in English and in Spanish, across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Lehigh Valley Immigration Law LLC