This page tracks the E-2 visa news that affects real cases: interviews, where you can apply, fees, reciprocity, and how officers review the numbers. Last updated September 26, 2026.
Also available in: Türkçe · Español · Português · العربية · 中文
The written E-2 rules have not changed, but the process has. Most applicants now need an in-person interview in their country of nationality or residence, a new $250 visa integrity fee is being phased in, and officers look harder at payroll and real business activity.
No new E-2 treaty country has been added since Portugal in March 2024, and there is still no fixed minimum investment.
This page provides general information about U.S. immigration law as of September 26, 2026. It is not legal advice, and reading it or using the calculator does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts, and the law and consular practice change often. Speak with a licensed attorney before you invest money or file an application.
Since September 2, 2025, the State Department has limited visa interview waivers to a few narrow categories, and a September 18, 2025 update confirmed the approach. E-2 applicants, including renewals and family members, should plan for an in-person interview and book early.
The same 2025 updates require nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or usual residence. Booking a faster appointment in a third country is generally no longer an option, so build local wait times into your plans.
The July 4, 2025 budget law created a $250 visa integrity fee for most nonimmigrant visas, including E-2, with a statutory start date of October 1, 2025. Collection has been rolled out unevenly across consulates, and the refund process has not yet been set up. It is separate from the $315 E visa application fee. Confirm with your consulate before your interview.
On July 8, 2025, the State Department cut most nonimmigrant visas for nationals of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria to three months and a single entry. Cameroon and Ethiopia are E-2 treaty countries, so investors from those countries should check the current reciprocity schedule. For Turkish citizens the E-2 terms are unchanged: up to 60 months, multiple entries, no issuance fee.
E-2 accounting advisers reported in September 2026 that officers now look past cash balances to payroll, revenue and bank activity, and that businesses funded with under about $100,000 face a higher bar. See our marginality and job creation page for what this means for your file.
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued policy memorandum PM-602-0199 describing adjustment of status as an “extraordinary” discretionary benefit. The E-2 is not a dual-intent visa, so E-2 holders planning a green card from inside the United States should get advice before filing. The memo is being challenged, and the rules may change again.
The Gold Card program opened on December 10, 2025. It leads to a green card for a $1 million contribution per individual ($2 million for a corporate sponsor), plus a $15,000 processing fee, filed on Form I-140G. It is not an E-2 alternative for most small-business investors, whose E-2 budget is a fraction of that.
Each E-2 requirement has its own page with plain-language answers, official sources and the documents you will need.
The free capital calculator and how a “substantial” investment is judged.
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2Nationality & treaty countriesWho qualifies by citizenship, the 50% ownership rule, dual citizens and new treaties.
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3Source of fundsSavings, sales, loans, gifts and inheritance: what counts and how to prove it.
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4Business started? At risk & escrowDoes the business need to be open, what “at risk” means, and how escrow protects you.
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5Marginality & job creationThe “more than a living” test, how many hires, and what officers ask for in 2026.
Read →
6E-2 news 2026Interviews, where to apply, fees, reciprocity and policy changes that affect investors.
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No. There is still no fixed minimum. The investment must be substantial for your business, at risk, and enough for a business that is more than marginal.
Generally no. Since September 2025, interview waivers are limited to narrow categories, so E-2 applicants should expect an in-person interview.
Yes. Türkiye has been an E-2 treaty country since May 18, 1990, and E-2 visas for Turkish citizens can be valid for up to 60 months with multiple entries.
The law set October 1, 2025 as the start date, but collection has been uneven across consulates. Ask your consulate what to pay before your interview.
A calculator gives an estimate. We review your business, your budget and your source-of-funds paper trail before you commit money or file.
Ozek Law Firm, LLC · Tolga Ozek, Attorney at Law
4500 East West Highway, Suite 150, Bethesda, MD 20814
+1 (202) 854-8545 · info@ozeklaw.com · ozeklaw.com/contact
Admitted in Maryland, New York, California and Washington, D.C.; federal immigration practice throughout the United States. Consultations in English, Turkish, Spanish and Swedish; interpreters for other languages.
Legal disclaimer: This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Use of this page or its tools does not create an attorney-client relationship with Ozek Law Firm, LLC. Do not act or refrain from acting based on this content without consulting a qualified attorney about your situation. Information is current as of September 26, 2026 and may change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.
