First-time Canadian E-2 applicants apply through the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto, and the full package is emailed to the consulate before any appointment is booked (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada). Canada’s E-2 treaty came into force on 1 January 1994 (U.S. Department of State).
You qualify as a Canadian citizen when you invest a substantial amount at risk in a real, active U.S. business and own at least half of it or control it (USCIS, Aug 2026). This guide shows the steps, so you can plan the paperwork before you commit money.
Do Canadians have to apply in Toronto?
First-time applicants do. Employees of a registered E-2 company and dependents of a current E-visa holder can book at Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa or Vancouver. Company registration is valid for five years (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada).
What are the steps at the consulate?
You gather your documents, email the package for review, complete the online forms, pay the fee and attend an interview. The consulate tells you when its review is done and how to book. If a visa is issued, your passport comes back by courier (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada).
Step 1: Gather your documents. Use the consulate’s current list for new cases, and email the full package. Do not book an appointment yet.
Step 2: Wait for the review. The consulate tells you when it is done.
Step 3: Pay and book. The consulate cannot accept your application until payment is verified.
Step 4: Attend the interview in person and bring the whole package.
The consulate updates its document list, so read the current one on the day you start.
What does the package need to show?
It needs to show four things: your Canadian citizenship, a substantial investment that is at risk, a business that is real and not marginal, and your role in directing it. A new business can qualify if it can reach enough income within five years (USCIS, Aug 2026).
- Money trail: bank records that show where your funds came from.
- Investment proof: leases, purchase agreements and receipts for money already committed.
- Business plan: costs, hires and forecasts that go beyond your own pay.
Read the investment amount guide to test your budget, and the E-2 visa mistakes guide before you file.
Can your family come with you?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can come with you. Spouses in valid E-2 status are authorized to work incident to status (USCIS, Aug 2026).
How long can you stay?
Your first stay can last up to two years. You can extend in steps of up to two years each, with no limit on the number of extensions, as long as the business stays real and active (USCIS, Aug 2026). You must still plan to leave when your status ends, so the E-2 is not a green card.
Where do you go next?
Start with our page for Canadian E-2 investors, then take the E-2 eligibility check. Buying a franchise? Read about the E-2 franchise visa. Canadians have other U.S. options too, and the page for Canadians moving to the U.S. compares them.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadians have to apply for the E-2 visa in Toronto?
First-time applicants apply through the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto. Employees of a registered company and dependents of a current E-visa holder can book at other Canadian consulates (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada).
What are the main document requirements at the Toronto consulate?
You send the consulate its current document list for new cases. It covers your citizenship, the source of your funds, proof of the investment and your business plan. Read the list on the day you start, because it changes.
Is there a minimum E-2 investment for Canadians?
No. USCIS asks for an investment that is substantial compared with the total cost of the business, so the right amount depends on the business (USCIS, Aug 2026).
How long is the E-2 stay for Canadians?
The first stay can last up to two years, and you can extend in steps of up to two years each with no limit on extensions (USCIS, Aug 2026).
Can my spouse and children work on an E-2 visa?
Your spouse is authorized to work incident to E-2 status. Your unmarried children under 21 can come with you, and they cannot work (USCIS, Aug 2026).
Last updated: 15 October 2026.
Amir Ismail leads Amir Ismail & Associates, which has guided clients since 1991 and works with independent U.S. immigration attorneys. AIA is not a law firm. Legal advice and filings are handled by the attorney.
