Your Business.
Your Family. In America.

The E-2 Investor Visa lets you live, work, and build a business in the United States. No green card required to start. No lottery. No years of waiting. Just a qualifying investment and the right guidance.

Licensed & Regulated – Confidential Review – No Obligation

35+

Years in practice

Founded 1991

98%

E-2 approval rate

Verified track record

25,000+

Clients worldwide

From 50+ countries

3 Global offices

Toronto · Dubai · Karachi

You Are Not Alone In This

The Dream of Living and Working in America Is Real. So Are the Obstacles.

You have built something. You have capital. You have ambition. But the US immigration system was not designed to be easy. Most people either give up or make costly mistakes. You deserve neither outcome.

1 You are not from China or India

You may already qualify through your citizenship in a treaty country and not realize it. Over 80 nations have E-2 treaties with the US. Pakistan, UAE, Canada, UK, Germany, South Korea, and many more.

2 You have capital but no clear path

There is no published minimum. USCIS uses a proportionality test that most people misunderstand. One wrong calculation and your application is rejected. We have seen this happen. We prevent it.

3 Your family's future depends on this

Your spouse wants to work. Your children want to attend American schools. The E-2 makes all of that possible. But only if the application is filed correctly the first time.

4 You do not know who to trust

Anyone can call themselves an immigration consultant online. Unlicensed advisors have cost investors tens of thousands of dollars and years of delays. Amir Ismail is RCIC #R412319. Licensed. Verified. Accountable and works with US attorneys to represent your application.

What Is the E-2 Visa

The Investor Visa Most People Have Never Heard Of

The E-2 is a US nonimmigrant visa for citizens of treaty countries. You invest a substantial amount into a business you own and actively manage. In return, you live and work in the United States indefinitely, as long as the business is operating.

Unlike the EB-5 green card, which requires a minimum of $800,000 and years of waiting, the E-2 has no fixed minimum. Many applications are approved with investments starting at $100,000. And unlike the H-1B lottery, there is no random draw. You either qualify or you do not. We tell you honestly which it is.

The E-2 can be renewed indefinitely. As long as your business is active, you can remain in the United States. Your spouse receives open-market work authorization. Your children under 21 can attend US schools.

80+
Treaty Countries

$50k+
Typical Entry Point

∞ Renewable Indefinitely

Live and work legally in the United States
Spouse receives open US work authorization
Children attend American schools
No annual cap or lottery system
No fixed minimum investment amount
Renewable as long as your business operates
Can pursue EB-5, EB-1C or EB-2 NIW green card in parallel.

Eligibility at a Glance

Who Qualifies for the E-2 Visa?

You likely qualify if:

You hold citizenship in a US E-2 treaty country (Canada, UK, Pakistan, UAE, Germany, South Korea, and 80+ others)
You have or are investing a substantial amount of capital into a US business
You will own at least 50% of the business or hold a supervisory role
Your investment is genuinely at risk in the enterprise
The business can generate income beyond supporting just your household

The E-2 may not apply if:

You hold only Chinese or Indian citizenship (these countries do not have E-2 treaties with the US)
Your investment is only intended to support your family with no broader commercial viability
Your investment capital is not at risk (for example, it is fully guaranteed or refundable)
You do not intend to actively manage the business

Dual citizenship exception: If you hold Chinese or Indian citizenship but also hold citizenship of a treaty country (for example, Canadian PR who later naturalized), you may still qualify using your treaty-country passport.

Not certain where you stand? One session with our team gives you a clear, honest answer.

Confidential – No obligation – Response within 1 business day

Client Outcomes

What our clients say.

"After two failed attempts with another firm, Amir's team got our E-2 approved on the first submission. Within 90 days of approval, we had our doors open and our first clients signed. The preparation was meticulous and the outcome was exactly what we needed."

"We applied through the Toronto consulate, and Amir knew exactly what USCBP officers there look for. He helped us structure our Canadian bank records and business sale proceeds into a source-of-funds package that answered every question before it was even asked. Approved without an interview follow-up."

"I came to Amir after signing a franchise agreement and quickly realized I needed guidance I didn't have. His team reviewed the FDD line by line, confirmed the franchise qualified under E-2 standards, and built the business plan around the disclosure document itself. That level of detail made the difference."

"I have been operating under E-2 for six years now and Amir has handled every renewal. He tracks our business growth documentation year over year and makes sure each renewal petition reflects how far the company has come. I have never had a request for evidence or a delay."

"What mattered most to us was that our whole family could build a life here, not just my business. Amir walked us through my wife's EAD process and confirmed our kids could enroll in public school immediately. Everything he told us was accurate and on schedule."

Your Roadmap

How the E-2 Visa Process Works with AIA

Six structured steps. We do the heavy lifting. You focus on building your business.

1 Strategy Assessment

We confirm your treaty country nationality, review your capital, and discuss your business plans. One session. Honest verdict. We tell you if the E-2 is not the right path for you.

2 Business Validation

We review your chosen business against USCIS substantiality and non-marginality standards before a single dollar is committed. Franchise buyers get guided selection support.

3 Document Preparation

We prepare your complete E-2 package: investment evidence, business plan, source-of-funds documentation, and every USCIS-required form. This is where our 98% approval rate is earned.

4 Consular or USCIS Filing

Whether you are applying from outside the US (consular processing) or changing status from within, we file with the correct office. Canadian applicants receive Toronto-specific guidance.

5 Approval and US Entry

You receive your E-2 visa stamp and enter the US to begin operations. Your spouse receives an E-2 dependent visa with open work authorization. Your children enroll in American schools.

6 Renewal Planning

We contact you before your visa expires, review updated business performance documentation, and file renewals well ahead of deadline. Our renewal clients have a continuous approval record since 1991.

Why Investors Choose AIA

35 Years. No Shortcuts. No Guesswork.

A boutique practice, not a factory. Two licensed consultants on every E-2 file.

Track record

98% Approval Rate Over 35 Years

We do not take cases we cannot win. Before we accept your file, we assess it honestly. If your investment does not meet the standard, we tell you what needs to change. Honesty over upselling, every time.

Two Licensed Consultants on Your File

Rijah Amir, Amir’s daughter, is also a licensed immigration consultant. Complex E-2 cases benefit from a second expert review in coordination with our USA attorneys before filing. Most firms cannot offer this.

The Best Canadian E-2 Specialists in the Market

Canada is one of the highest-volume E-2 source countries. AIA is a Canadian firm. We know the Toronto consulate process, Canadian source-of-funds documentation, and the Canadian franchise market. No US-based competitor can match this depth.

Offices Where Our Clients Are

Green Card Planning from Day One

The E-2 is nonimmigrant, but your long-term plan matters. We map your EB-5, EB-1C, or EB-2 NIW pathway alongside your E-2 from the first session. You never have to start over when your goals evolve.

Frequently asked questions About the E-2 Visa

How much do I need to invest to qualify for an E-2 visa?

There is no fixed minimum. USCIS uses the “substantiality test”; your investment must represent a substantial proportion of the total business cost. A $50,000 investment in a $60,000 franchise may qualify; the same $50,000 in a million-dollar business may not. Most approved applications involve investments between $100,000 and $500,000 depending on the industry.

Can Canadians apply for the E-2 visa?

Yes. Canada has an E-2 treaty with the United States. Canadian citizens can apply through the US Consulate in Toronto or Vancouver. Amir Ismail and Associates specializes in E-2 applications for Canadian applicants and provides specific guidance on Toronto consulate requirements and Canadian source-of-funds documentation. This is one of our strongest areas of practice.

How long does E-2 visa processing take?

In many cases, consular processing takes 2 to 8 weeks after the visa interview. That said, some cases take longer because of administrative processing or high appointment demand. For Toronto and other consulates, the interview wait time can change quickly, so applicants should always check the current timeline before planning around it.

Does the E-2 visa lead to a green card?

Not directly. The E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa and does not have a direct path to permanent residence. However, many E-2 holders do eventually obtain green cards through categories such as EB-5, EB-1C (multinational manager or executive), or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver). We plan both steps together from the first session for clients who want long-term US residency.

Can my spouse work in the U.S. on an E-2 visa?

Yes. Your spouse qualifies for an E-2 dependent visa with open-market work authorization in the United States. They can work for any employer in any field. Your dependent children under 21 can attend US schools but do not receive automatic work authorization.

What is the difference between the E-2 visa and the EB-5 investor visa?

The E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa with no fixed minimum investment. It is faster to obtain, more flexible, and renewable indefinitely. The EB-5 is a permanent residence (green card) program requiring a minimum investment of $800,000 (as of 2026) in a targeted employment area and typically takes several years to process. Many investors use the E-2 first to enter the US quickly, then pursue EB-5 once established. We assist with both pathways.

Why should I hire a consultant instead of applying on my own?

The E-2 is not a form-filling exercise. USCIS scrutinizes your business plan, investment source, and business structure carefully. A single weakness in documentation is enough for a denial. With AIA, you benefit from 35 years of application experience, a 98% approval rate, and two licensed consultants reviewing your file before it is submitted. The cost of getting it wrong is far greater than the cost of getting it right.

Your Next Step

Ready to Find Out If the E-2 Visa Is Right for You?

Fill out the short form. Our team reviews every submission personally. Within one business day, you receive a direct, honest assessment of your E-2 eligibility and the next steps that make sense for your situation.

Your information is kept strictly confidential
One business day response guarantee
Reviewed by Amir Ismail, or Rijah Amir
No obligation to proceed
No spam. No unsolicited calls without your consent

Amir Ismail has personally guided investors from Canada, the UAE, Pakistan, the UK, Germany, and South Korea through the E-2 process since 1991. When you submit this form, a licensed professional reads it. Not a chatbot. Not a junior assistant.

Find Out If You Qualify in 60 Seconds

Our team reviews every submission personally. You will receive a tailored response within one business day.

Takes 60 seconds to complete. No payment required to know eligibility.

The Path Is Clearer Than You Think