In many cases of investor visas, a common issue is what amount of capital is needed for the investment in order to convince USCIS or the consulates that the investment is viable. For E-2 investor visas, there is no required amount of investment that will trigger an approval or a denial. However, while no specific regulation exists, the underlying understanding is that USCIS and the consulates prefer that the investment be at least over $100,000. As such, investments that are lower than that threshold are generally more highly scrutinized than those that are higher. However, that does not mean that investments under $100,000 are not eligible for E-2 visas. In fact, if the business is in operation, profitable, and executed properly, the investment may qualify for an E-2 visa. While the business options may be limited with a smaller capital investment, below are some viable options that may qualify for an E-2 visa:
(1) Beauty Salons
(2) Mailing or Courier Services
(3) Landscaping Companies
(4) Building Contractor and Painting Services
(5) Automobile Care Centers
(6) Learning or Tutoring Centers
(7) Home Cleaning Services
(8) Retail Franchises
(9) Small-scale Restaurants
