The E-1 treaty trader visa and the E-2 investor visa are appealing options for foreign business persons, investors, managers, and employees who wish to stay in the United States for extended periods of time to oversee: 1) an enterprise that is engaged in trade between the United States and a foreign country; or 2) a major investment in the United States. Once your E visa has been granted, you will be able to stay in the U.S. for an initial period of two years. E visa allows you to apply for an unlimited number of extensions. E-2 visa holders that travel abroad are typically given an automatic two-year extension when they return, without having to file a new I-129 petition.

To qualify for an E visa, an applicant must be

The Employment Based Fifth Preference Category, or EB-5, was created to attract foreign capital to the United States in order to create more job opportunities and benefit the U.S. economy. There are two distinct EB-5 pathways for an immigrant investor to get a green card for themselves and their immediate family—the Basic Program and the Regional Center Pilot Program. 3,000 EB-5 visas are also set aside for investors in Regional Centers designated by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.

Both programs require the immigrant to make a capital investment of either $900,000 or $1,800,000 (depending on whether the investment is in a Targeted Employment Area [TEA] or not) in a new commercial enterprise locat