The E-2 visa is a great way for foreign nationals investing in and owning U.S. businesses to live and work in the U.S. However, they are considered one of the more difficult visas to obtain, as they require substantial capital investments. There are also requirements as to how the applicant must transfer the capital needed for the visa, where the money is coming from, and how the deal will be financed. With this guide, we hope to better inform you of the E-2 investment process and illustrate the path of funds as it makes its way to the U.S.
One of the most important parts of the E-2 investment is not only having the adequate amount of money to invest but proving that the source of the funds is a lawful one. So, if the money is from employment, you would need to show taxes/employment documents, or if the money is from revenues, you’d have to show sales figures, etc. If you have potential investment money that cannot be accounted for with documentation (i.e., a cash transaction with no receipt), then it cannot qualify for an E-2 investment. You must also prove that these funds are yours by providing the relevant and necessary bank statements and documentation.
The next step in the process would be to show USCIS the trail of funds for the investment as it makes its way to the U.S. One of the easiest ways to do this is to open a U.S. bank account. Once you create a U.S. bank account, you can transfer your entire investment fund into it and then make your investment purchase from that fund. This allows you to easily provide documentation to USCIS tracing the investments origins and ending destination.
