What is a ‘Treaty Investor’?

‘Treaty Investor’ is the term used for the holder of a United States E-2 visa, a category available to citizens of countries that maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S.

The core purpose of this route is to allow the person to enter the United States to develop and direct a business in which they have invested substantial, personal capital. A token contribution is not enough: the investment must be real, committed to an active operation, and capable of generating economic activity.

• Requires nationality from a country with an active investment treaty with the U.S.
• Calls for a substantial investment that is already at risk in a genuine business.
• Requires demonstrating the lawful source of the invested funds.

Amounts and criteria are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the competent authority, so it is worth checking the current requirements on the official source (USCIS) and planning the investment with a specialist before filing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.