There is no fixed minimum for the E-2 visa. USCIS asks for a “substantial” investment, measured against the total cost of the business you buy or start, and the money must be at risk (USCIS, Aug 2026).
You want one number. The honest answer is a method, and this guide gives you the method so you can test your own plan before you move any money.
Key facts
- Minimum: none in law. $100,000 is a common planning figure, not a rule.
- Test: the investment must be substantial compared with the cost of the business.
- Cheaper business, bigger share: the lower the cost of the business, the larger the share you must invest.
- At risk: your capital must be able to suffer partial or total loss if the business fails.
- Not marginal: the business must be able to produce more than a living for you and your family, within five years for a new business.
How much do you need to invest for an E-2 visa?
You need a substantial amount compared with the total cost of the business, and no dollar figure is written into the rules. USCIS defines substantial as an amount that is large in relation to the total cost of buying an established business or starting a new one, and large enough to show real financial commitment (USCIS, Aug 2026).
In practice, that means two plans with the same cash can get different answers. A $90,000 plan for a $100,000 business may look strong. The same $90,000 toward a $2 million business may not.
What is the proportionality test?
The proportionality test compares the amount you invest with the total cost of the business. The cheaper the business, the larger the share of its cost you are expected to put in. This is why a small business often needs most of its price funded, while a large business can pass with a smaller share.
Step 1: Add up the full cost of the business. Include the purchase price or build-out, equipment, inventory, leases and working capital.
Step 2: Add up the money you have already committed or can prove is committed. Count only funds that are at risk.
Step 3: Divide your amount by the total cost. A low share on a low-cost business is a red flag.
Step 4: Ask whether the amount shows real commitment. A consular officer or adjudicator will ask the same question.
Is $100,000 the minimum for an E-2 visa?
No. The $100,000 figure is a common planning benchmark that many applicants use, and it is not a legal requirement. Plans below that level can work when the business is inexpensive to start, and plans above it can fail when the business is large or the funds are not at risk.
If you have less than $100,000, read our guide to an E-2 visa with less than $150,000. It shows which business types fit a smaller budget.
What counts as an investment “at risk”?
Money counts as at risk when it can be partly or fully lost if the business fails. USCIS says the capital must be subject to partial or total loss, and it must not come from criminal activity (USCIS, Aug 2026).
- Usually counts: cash already spent on the business, signed leases, equipment purchases, franchise fees paid, and funds placed in an escrow account that releases only if the visa is granted.
- Usually does not count: money sitting in your personal account, loans secured by the business assets you are buying, and funds you can freely withdraw.
Keep every receipt and bank record. Proof of the source of your funds is part of the file.
Can a small or marginal business qualify?
A small business can qualify if it is not marginal. A marginal business is one that cannot produce more than enough income to support you and your family. A new business can still qualify if it can reach that level of income within five years (USCIS, Aug 2026).
A solid business plan helps here. It should show hires, revenue forecasts and how the business adds jobs or income beyond your own pay.
Do you also need to own half of the business?
Yes, you need at least 50 percent ownership or operational control of the business. Operational control means a managerial role or another structure that lets you direct the business (USCIS, Aug 2026). Your treaty-country citizenship is a separate requirement, so check that first on the E-2 visa page.
How do you test your own plan?
You can test your plan in three short steps before you commit funds.
Step 1: Take the E-2 eligibility check. It shows gaps in about three minutes.
Step 2: Run your numbers through our E-2 substantiality calculator.
Step 3: Avoid the common errors in our E-2 visa mistakes guide before you sign a lease or pay a franchise fee.
Not sure the E-2 is your best route at all? Use the U.S. route finder to compare it with other options.
Who is this guide for?
Canadians are one of the largest groups using the E-2, and the same investment test applies. Our guide for Canadian E-2 investors covers the consulate steps and what changes at the border. If you are weighing a U.S. move against a Canadian business route, see E-2 vs C11 and our Canadian provincial business immigration pathways. If you plan to buy a franchise, read about the E-2 franchise visa.
Frequently asked questions
How much money is needed for an E-2 visa investment?
There is no fixed amount. You need an investment that is substantial compared with the total cost of the business and at risk, and the cheaper the business, the larger the share you must invest (USCIS, Aug 2026).
What does "substantial investment" mean for the E-2 visa?
It means your investment is large in relation to the cost of buying or starting the business, and large enough to show real financial commitment. USCIS uses this proportional test rather than a set dollar figure (USCIS, Aug 2026).
Is $100,000 a standard E-2 visa investment?
No. It is a common planning benchmark and not a rule. Some smaller plans have worked and some larger plans have failed, depending on the business and the proof of funds.
Does the investment have to be at risk?
Yes. Your capital must be able to suffer partial or total loss if the business fails, and it must not come from criminal activity (USCIS, Aug 2026).
Can a marginal business qualify for an E-2 visa?
No. The business must be able to produce more than a minimal living for you and your family. A new business can qualify if it can reach that level within five years (USCIS, Aug 2026).
Does the type of business change the amount?
Yes. A low-cost service business usually needs a larger share of its cost invested than an expensive business does. The test is always relative to the total cost of the business.
Which countries can use the E-2 visa?
Only citizens of treaty countries can use it. Canada, Pakistan, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey and the Philippines are on the State Department list, and India, the UAE, Nigeria and mainland China are not (U.S. Department of State, Oct 2026).
Where to go from here
Check your fit first, then plan your investment around the proportionality test. For a view on your plan, start with the E-2 eligibility check.
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.
