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United StatesWork permitsLast checked October 17, 2026

E-2 Treaty Investor

The E-2 lets a national of a country that has a qualifying treaty with the US live and work in the US to develop and direct a business in which they have invested, or are actively investing, a substantial amount of capital. Key employees of the same nationality can also come. There is no fixed minimum investment; the amount must be substantial relative to the cost of the business, at risk, and the business must be a real, operating, non-marginal enterprise. Applicants abroad apply for a visa at a US consulate; people in the US in another lawful status can change status through Form I-129. The related E-1 treaty trader classification is covered in the separate US.E1 record.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Nationals of treaty countries who own at least half of, or control, a US business they have put real money into, and treaty-national employees in executive, supervisory or essential roles.

Eligibility

  • Treaty country nationality

    The investor must be a national of a country with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the US, a qualifying international agreement, or one designated by legislation. The State Department publishes the list.

  • Substantial investmentInvestor

    Show you have invested, or are actively investing, a substantial amount of capital in a real US business.

    • Substantial is judged against the cost of buying or starting the business
    • Cheaper businesses need a proportionally larger investment
    • No minimum dollar amount is set
    Official wording

    The investor must have invested, or be actively investing, a substantial amount of capital in a real US business. Substantial is judged against the cost of buying or starting the business; cheaper businesses need a proportionally larger investment. No minimum dollar amount is set.

  • Capital at risk and lawfulInvestor

    The money must be at risk of partial or total loss and committed with the aim of profit. It must not come from criminal activity.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementReal operating enterprise
  • Document checklistValid passport showing treaty nationality
  • FeesE category visa application fee

The full requirements are for members

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  • 7 more requirements
  • 9 documents
  • 5 fees
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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