I.
You file when ready.
There is no lottery and no annual cap.
For founders
E-2 Visa Lawyer for founders
If you are from a treaty country and you are putting your own capital into a real U.S. business, the E-2 is often the most direct way in. There is no lottery, and you do not need an employer. At Manifest Law, we help founders structure investments, prepare business plans, and run consular cases — and we tell you on day one whether your country and your capital actually fit.
- Flat fees with payment plans, no hourly surprises
- Ex-USCIS officer review available on every plan as an add-on
- Live case tracking through the Manifest portal
- Treaty country and source-of-funds work done in-house
/Find your path
What the E-2 is, and why founders use it
The E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries who are investing a substantial amount in a real and operating U.S. business. Common treaty countries include the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Why founders choose the E-2
II.
There is no employer requirement.
You are the investor, and you can also be the executive employee.
III.
It renews indefinitely.
As long as the business is real and operating, you can keep renewing in two to five year increments.
/Do you qualify
Do you qualify for the E-2 as a founder?
There is no point-scoring system. The officer is checking four things: treaty country, substantial investment, real and operating enterprise, and a clear role for you.
Treaty country nationality
You hold citizenship in a country with an E-2 treaty with the U.S. Dual citizens can choose the treaty passport. Some countries, notably India and China, are not E-2 countries.
Substantial investment
There is no fixed dollar amount. In practice, most successful E-2 cases involve at least $100,000 of investor capital, and often more for capital-intensive businesses. The investment must be at risk, traceable, and largely deployed.
Real and operating enterprise
Not a paper company. You need a lease, a bank account, employees or imminent hires, customers or a clear plan to get them, and a business that generates more than just a living wage for you.
Develop and direct
You must own at least 50% of the enterprise or otherwise control it, and you must be coming to the U.S. to actually run it — not as a passive investor.
What strong evidence looks like
Bank statements and wire records tracing your capital from your personal account into the U.S. business account. A signed commercial lease, vendor contracts, and incorporation documents. A detailed business plan with five-year financials, a hiring plan, and market analysis. Evidence that the investment is largely spent, not just sitting in a U.S. bank account. An organization chart showing your role and any existing or planned U.S. employees. Source-of-funds documentation, such as salary records, prior business sale documents, or investment return records.
/How we work
How Manifest builds your E-2 case
01
Treaty check on day one
Before we take a retainer, we confirm your citizenship qualifies. We also check whether dual nationality gives you a better path.
02
Source-of-funds tracing
Most E-2 denials are about where the money came from, not how much. We trace your capital with bank statements, tax returns, and contracts, and we flag gaps early.
03
Business plan that survives consular review
Consular officers read a lot of business plans. We also provide guidance with writing business plans if required that follow USCIS guidelines of being realistic, not aspirational, with verifiable market data, named competitors, and a hiring plan tied to your financials.
04
Consular prep and renewal strategy
We prepare you for the consular interview, including what to expect during your appointment and what documents to bring.
/Our approach
Why clients trust Manifest’s immigration lawyers
Here is what our clients get on every Manifest case.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour, and payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for founders
We have represented founders and international founders across the country.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa is not approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour, and payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for founders
We have represented founders and international founders across the country.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa is not approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour, and payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for founders
We have represented founders and international founders across the country.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa is not approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client
/Success stories
Helping founders build their future in the U.S.
From six-figure storefronts to cross-border ventures, we’ve helped founders from treaty countries invest in real U.S. businesses and clear consular review with confidence.
E-2
German Founder Puts $100K Into an E-2 Cybersecurity Venture
Yasmin Malek - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawYasmin Malek helped a German entrepreneur launch a U.S. cybersecurity consulting business with the E-2 treaty investor visa. The case was built on a $100,000 personal investment into the new venture, a five-year business plan projecting job creation for U.S. workers, and a documented money trail from his established company abroad. The approval through consular processing also gave his spouse work authorization in the U.S.
E-2
Fashion Founder Invests Six Figures Into an E-2 Storefront
Lahaina Araneta McBeth - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawLahaina Araneta helped a Canadian entrepreneur launch her own fashion brand in the U.S. with the E-2 visa. The case was built on her substantial six-figure investment in the business, a fully operational e-commerce storefront with active social media presence, and a first collection already in production with an overseas manufacturer.
E-2
Medical Device Consultancy Opens U.S. Operations on an E-2
Lahaina Araneta McBeth - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawLahaina Araneta helped a Czech Republic-based entrepreneur launch his U.S. operations with the E-2 visa. He had led a medical device consulting and market-access firm in Europe as its co-owner and executive since 2009, and the case was supported by a newly formed U.S. entity with leased office space and thorough corporate documentation.
E-2
Biotech Specialist Wins E-2 Status After a Consular Denial
Elizabeth Mavec - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawElizabeth Mavec helped a specialized employee of an international biotech company secure E-2 status through a change of status petition. After a previous E-2 application had been denied at the consulate, the attorney reworked the strategy around the employee's specialized knowledge role, positioning the change of status filing for approval where the earlier attempt had failed.
E-2
German Founder Puts $100K Into an E-2 Cybersecurity Venture
Yasmin Malek - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawYasmin Malek helped a German entrepreneur launch a U.S. cybersecurity consulting business with the E-2 treaty investor visa. The case was built on a $100,000 personal investment into the new venture, a five-year business plan projecting job creation for U.S. workers, and a documented money trail from his established company abroad. The approval through consular processing also gave his spouse work authorization in the U.S.
E-2
Fashion Founder Invests Six Figures Into an E-2 Storefront
Lahaina Araneta McBeth - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawLahaina Araneta helped a Canadian entrepreneur launch her own fashion brand in the U.S. with the E-2 visa. The case was built on her substantial six-figure investment in the business, a fully operational e-commerce storefront with active social media presence, and a first collection already in production with an overseas manufacturer.
E-2
Medical Device Consultancy Opens U.S. Operations on an E-2
Lahaina Araneta McBeth - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawLahaina Araneta helped a Czech Republic-based entrepreneur launch his U.S. operations with the E-2 visa. He had led a medical device consulting and market-access firm in Europe as its co-owner and executive since 2009, and the case was supported by a newly formed U.S. entity with leased office space and thorough corporate documentation.
E-2
Biotech Specialist Wins E-2 Status After a Consular Denial
Elizabeth Mavec - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawElizabeth Mavec helped a specialized employee of an international biotech company secure E-2 status through a change of status petition. After a previous E-2 application had been denied at the consulate, the attorney reworked the strategy around the employee's specialized knowledge role, positioning the change of status filing for approval where the earlier attempt had failed.
E-2
German Founder Puts $100K Into an E-2 Cybersecurity Venture
Yasmin Malek - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawYasmin Malek helped a German entrepreneur launch a U.S. cybersecurity consulting business with the E-2 treaty investor visa. The case was built on a $100,000 personal investment into the new venture, a five-year business plan projecting job creation for U.S. workers, and a documented money trail from his established company abroad. The approval through consular processing also gave his spouse work authorization in the U.S.
E-2
Fashion Founder Invests Six Figures Into an E-2 Storefront
Lahaina Araneta McBeth - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawLahaina Araneta helped a Canadian entrepreneur launch her own fashion brand in the U.S. with the E-2 visa. The case was built on her substantial six-figure investment in the business, a fully operational e-commerce storefront with active social media presence, and a first collection already in production with an overseas manufacturer.
E-2
Medical Device Consultancy Opens U.S. Operations on an E-2
Lahaina Araneta McBeth - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawLahaina Araneta helped a Czech Republic-based entrepreneur launch his U.S. operations with the E-2 visa. He had led a medical device consulting and market-access firm in Europe as its co-owner and executive since 2009, and the case was supported by a newly formed U.S. entity with leased office space and thorough corporate documentation.
E-2
Biotech Specialist Wins E-2 Status After a Consular Denial
Elizabeth Mavec - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawElizabeth Mavec helped a specialized employee of an international biotech company secure E-2 status through a change of status petition. After a previous E-2 application had been denied at the consulate, the attorney reworked the strategy around the employee's specialized knowledge role, positioning the change of status filing for approval where the earlier attempt had failed.
*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
/Testimonials
What our clients say
Discover how Manifest has helped clients navigate the visa process and read their success stories.
Very professional, Simon and Dan responded to my clarifications with satisfaction. prepared my case with detailed documentation and got my approval from USCIS. Highly recommended for individuals looking for GC process under employment-based category
Gurinder Singh
I have worked with Dan and Simon directly, and my experience has been like no other. It feels like I'm talking with actual people who care about my case. Any questions I had, they were happy to assist me with in a very short time and make sure everything was clear before moving on to the next thing. I will definitely be working with them again in the future.
Sandra Rocha
I had an amazing experience with Manifest Law from the first intake interview, through a fast and professional process of working on the file, to a straightforward approval of my case. Catlea Bobis is a superstar attorney, and I recommend everyone considering trusting your case to professional support like I had with Catlea and the entire team at Manifest Law.
Irina Batukhtina
*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Related Articles
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What Is the E‑2 Visa? A Guide for Treaty Investors
Chelsea Spinos
E‑2 Visa Business Plan: What All Investors Need to Have
Barry Eitel
How to Document Your E‑2 Visa Source of Funds
Jason TannerHow to Choose an E‑2 Visa Lawyer for Founders
Barry EitelWhat Is the E‑2 Visa? A Guide for Treaty Investors
Chelsea SpinosE‑2 Visa Business Plan: What All Investors Need to Have
Barry EitelHow to Document Your E‑2 Visa Source of Funds
Jason TannerHow to Choose an E‑2 Visa Lawyer for Founders
Barry EitelWhat Is the E‑2 Visa? A Guide for Treaty Investors
Chelsea SpinosE‑2 Visa Business Plan: What All Investors Need to Have
Barry EitelHow to Document Your E‑2 Visa Source of Funds
Jason Tanner/FAQs
Still have questions about the E-2 as a founder?
Is my country an E-2 treaty country?
The State Department maintains the list. Common treaty countries include the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. India and China are not on the list. We check on the strategy call.
How much do I have to invest?
There is no fixed minimum. In practice, $100K or more is common. The investment has to be substantial relative to the cost of the business. A coffee shop and an enterprise software company are judged differently.
Can the investment come from a loan?
Personal loans secured by your own assets count. Loans secured by the U.S. business itself do not, because those are not at risk to you.
How is E-2 different from O-1?
O-1 is based on your record — funding, press, and achievements. E-2 is based on treaty country plus investment. Many founders qualify for both, and we help you pick based on country, capital, and how built-out your business is.
Can my spouse work?
Yes. E-2 dependent spouses are work-authorized and can work for any employer in the U.S.
Can I file in the U.S. or do I have to go to a consulate?
If you are already in the U.S. on another status, you can file an I-129 with USCIS. Most new E-2 cases go through a consulate, which is often faster.
Money-back guarantees and refunds are subject to the terms of the selected service plan and engagement agreement.
