Is it possible to get a Green Card with an E-2 visa?

The E-2 visa is a temporary visa and does not grant permanent residency (a Green Card). However, its advantage is that it can be extended multiple times. Obtaining a Green Card is a longer process, but the E-2 visa allows the holder to live and work in the United States flexibly.

The United States of America is one of the most powerful economies in the world, and every year thousands of entrepreneurs apply for various visas to set up a business and gain the opportunity to live here. One of the most popular and flexible of these visas is the E-2 Investor Visa.

The E-2 visa is mainly intended for businessmen, investors, and entrepreneurs. With this visa, you can invest in the United States, establish your own business, manage it, and live in the country with your family. The biggest advantage of the E-2 visa is that the entrepreneur is not only satisfied with investing capital, but also gets the chance to personally manage and develop his business. This creates great opportunities for both financial and personal development.

Starting a business in the United States offers wide opportunities for both domestic market access and international cooperation. Entrepreneurs operating here can benefit from a strong legal system, free market conditions, and an innovative environment.

The purpose of this article is to explain to readers the advantages of the E-2 visa, its main requirements, and the opportunities it provides for entrepreneurs in a simple and clear way. If you are also thinking about starting a business in America, Dayday.az can provide professional support in business planning.

What is an E-2 Investor Visa?

The E-2 Investor Visa is a special type of visa issued to foreign citizens who want to invest in the United States and actively engage in business here. This visa applies to citizens of countries that have trade and investment agreements with the United States. That is, only persons holding passports of those countries can apply for this visa. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan is not currently on this list, but it is possible to apply through alternative means (for example, by obtaining citizenship of an eligible country).

The E-2 visa is issued on the condition that the entrepreneur establishes a business in the United States or invests in an existing business. The main point here is that the invested investment must be considered “substantial” and must be directed to a business that is not just on paper, but has real activity. For example, opening a restaurant, investing in a technology startup, or establishing a service company are eligible for this visa.

Target Audience

The E-2 visa is mainly intended for businessmen, entrepreneurs, and investors.

With this visa:

Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs have the opportunity to establish their activities in the US market.
Investors can direct their investments to a safe and profitable market.
Businessmen who want to grow their business internationally can open a new branch or company in the US.

Another advantage of this visa is that the applicant is not only required to invest a large amount of money, but also to actively participate in the management of the business. In other words, the E-2 visa gives the entrepreneur the opportunity to act as both an investor and a manager.

Rights to Live and Work

The E-2 visa is not limited to business activities, but also provides the entrepreneur and his family with extensive rights:

The entrepreneur gets the opportunity to live and work in the United States.
His spouse can work in any field in the country by obtaining a work permit.
And their children under the age of 21 can study in US schools and universities.
The visa period usually starts at 2 years and can be extended multiple times as long as the business remains active.

One of the most important advantages is that, although the E-2 visa does not grant the entrepreneur a Green Card, it provides a stable opportunity to stay and operate in the United States for a long time. That is, as long as the business is successful, the entrepreneur and his family can continue to live in America.

Thus, the E-2 Investor Visa offers entrepreneurs not only the opportunity to start a business, but also a complete migration plan, both in terms of work and family life.

E-2 Visa Requirements

Although the E-2 Investor Visa offers great opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, there are a number of requirements set by the US government when applying for this visa. These requirements serve to confirm that the applicant truly intends to establish a real and profitable business. The main requirements can be grouped as follows:

Citizens of Countries with Trade Agreements with the US

The E-2 visa is issued only to citizens of countries that have an official trade and investment agreement with the US. This list includes more than 70 countries around the world. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan is not currently among these countries. However, as an alternative, entrepreneurs can apply for an E-2 visa by obtaining citizenship of one of the treaty countries.

Minimum Capital Requirement

Although there is no official minimum amount, the main requirement is that the investment must be “substantial”. That is, the investment must be large enough to start and continue the business. In practice, investments of 100,000 US dollars and above are usually accepted. However, depending on the type of business, less or more investment may be required.

Having a Real and Active Business

The E-2 visa is intended for real and actively operating businesses, not just projects that exist on paper. That is, the entrepreneur must either invest in an existing company or create a new company and launch it. Passive income generating activities (for example, simply buying real estate) are not considered eligible for the E-2 visa.

Commitment to Create Jobs

Another important condition for the US government is that the business must create new jobs. The entrepreneur should not only provide his own income, but the business must also benefit the US economy and create employment opportunities for local workers. This is one of the main conditions for both visa approval and future extension.

What Benefits Do You Get with an E-2 Visa?

The E-2 Investor Visa offers entrepreneurs not only business opportunities, but also a wide range of living conditions. With this visa, you not only become an investor, but also an entrepreneur who lives and manages your business in the United States. Let's take a look at the main advantages of the E-2 visa:

The Right to Live and Work in the United States

The E-2 visa gives the entrepreneur and his spouse the opportunity to live and work in America. That is, you can manage the business you have invested in yourself and start a full-fledged business activity in the country. This is not just a temporary work visa, but a real business life opportunity for the entrepreneur.

The Opportunity to Move Your Family

One of the most important advantages of the E-2 visa is that the entrepreneur does not go alone. His spouse and children under the age of 21 also gain the right to live in America by taking advantage of the visa. This is a great advantage for entrepreneurs who want to move with their families.

Children's Education in the United States

With an E-2 visa, the entrepreneur's children can study in US schools and universities. This means both quality education for the children and wider career opportunities in the future. Tuition fees are also determined on the same terms as local students, which is an additional advantage.

Possibility of Extending the Visa Period

The E-2 visa is initially issued for a period of 2 years. However, as long as the entrepreneur actively manages his business and makes an economic contribution, the visa period can be extended many times. This gives the entrepreneur the stability to operate and live in the United States in the long term.

Flexibility Compared to a Green Card

Although the E-2 visa does not provide permanent status as the Green Card, it offers the entrepreneur more flexibility. The Green Card requires large amounts of investment and strict conditions (for example, a minimum of 800,000 USD for an EB-5 visa). However, it is possible to enter the US market with a lower investment for an E-2 visa. Additionally, the Green Card leads the entrepreneur to permanent residency, while the E-2 offers an ongoing opportunity as long as the business is active.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it possible to get a Green Card with an E-2 visa?
It is not possible directly. The E-2 visa is considered a temporary visa. However, if the business is successful in the long term, the entrepreneur may be eligible to apply for other types of visas or Green Card programs in the future.

2. What is the minimum investment for an E-2 visa?
There is no official minimum amount. However, in practice, an investment of USD 100,000 or more is usually considered “significant.” The main requirement is that the investment supports the real operation of the business.

3.What is the difference between an E-2 visa and a Green Card?
The E-2 visa is a temporary visa and does not grant permanent residency (Green Card). Its advantage is that it can be extended multiple times. Obtaining a Green Card is a longer process, but the E-2 visa allows the holder to live and work in the United States with flexibility.

4.How long is the E-2 visa valid?
The E-2 visa is usually issued for a period of 2 years. It can be extended multiple times if the business remains active and continues to make an economic contribution.

5.Is it possible to bring family members to the U.S. with an E-2 visa?
Yes. The entrepreneur’s spouse and children under the age of 21 can also obtain an E-2 visa. The spouse can receive a work permit, and the children can study in the United States.