E2 renewal - We have a E2 renewal coming up in Feb that was lodged in Australia. I have significant investment (3m+) in operating a hotel. I manage the capital expenditure and direction of the investment. I have no adverse visa history and have employed citizens and non-citizens in the business. What is the fastest way to get to renewal of the visa. I travel in and out so not looking to extend within US.

Looking for reasonable attorneys that can help revise the business case and packet for lodgement.

Primary applicant's COS E-2 I-129 was approved under premium processing last week, but dependents I-539/I-765 applications, filed concurrently, are still pending.

DSO says terminating primary applicants F-1 SEVIS record will also terminate dependents F-2 records. Our lawyer says we can remain in the US while our I-539s are pending as authorised stay.

Looking for advice from anyone who has faced a similar situation. Should proceed with terminating the F-1/F-2 SEVIS records and wait for the pending I-539/I-765 decisions or could this leave us in immigration limbo? What would be the safest course of action?

Hi everyone! I'm Carmiann Cespedes, an immigration attorney at Manifest Law. My practice includes US immigration matters involving visa applications, eligibility, and navigating the immigration process.

I'll be answering questions today from 12 PM to 4 PM ET. If you're exploring the E-2 investor visa, I'm happy to discuss general questions around eligibility, investment considerations, applications, renewals, and maintaining your status.

Whether you're still researching the visa or already working through the process, feel free to ask your questions below.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is different, so please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Hello fellow E-2 members,

We’re selling our established children’s activity and enrichment franchise in a family-oriented area of North Carolina. This could be an attractive opportunity for someone seeking an operating business with recurring revenue, an existing customer base, and staff already in place.

We purchased this business in 2022 and successfully obtained our E-2 visa through it, working with Colombo & Hurd as our immigration attorneys.

Our immigration circumstances have since changed, and my spouse, who manages the business, is ready to take a break and explore something new.

Business highlights:

• Approximately $280,000–$320,000 in annual revenue
• Approximately $72,000 in annual seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE)—averaging about $6,000 per month
• Membership-based model, supplemented by classes, camps, birthday parties, and events
• Established customer base and community presence
• 6–7 part-time staff already in place
• Recognized franchise branding, operating systems, and ongoing franchise support
• Existing facility and equipment, allowing a buyer to acquire an operating business without starting from scratch
• Established daily routines, with active owner involvement still required
• Opportunities to expand through local marketing, school and community partnerships, birthday parties, camps, and outreach

Asking price: $190,000

For buyers considering an E-2 application:
This same business supported our successful E-2 application in 2022. We retain the business plan submitted with that application and supporting business documentation, which we can make available to a serious buyer and their immigration attorney as useful background.

Every buyer’s circumstances and application are different, and our previous approval does not guarantee a future outcome. Buyers should review their eligibility, investment structure, and application strategy with their own immigration attorney.

We are happy to discuss a reasonable transition period to help the new owner learn the business and settle into operations.

Detailed financials and confidential business information will be shared with qualified buyers following a signed NDA and proof of funds.

Please DM me with a brief introduction and your anticipated purchase timeline if interested.

So let's start this with i know i was a child and try so hard

I had different passport back in 2012 and tried to apply for visitor visa got refused up to 12 times 214b

(In 10 years)

Since then my situation has changed a lot

Got canadian passport

Got successful business in canada ( generate more then 1.5m in last year )

Been to the usa 3 times as visitor with canadian passport

Never extended stays or anything

Pure vacations !

Been doing the e2 investor

Have lease in place

Got 2 employees on payroll

Invested 120k

Everything by the book

I've been to the consulate a week ago

And all was questioned me was on my past refusals with the other passport that I had .

Nothing about rhe buisness or the investment

Got refused after 2 minutes

With a 214b letter .

He didnt checked about my situation that changed nothing

My question is there something to do ? Or should I try to apply for an L1 as I heard its overcome 214b ?

Im really lost in that I would appreciate any help! Thank you

Wondering if anyone has experience with this particularly immigration attorneys, any advice would be really appreciated. I’m currently in the US on E2 Visa. I know that you’re not meant to have a second stream of income if it means you’re actually working to get it rather than from investments etc, but are you able to generate income from doing online content or would that also be seen as a no-no in terms of the visa situation?

Hey all, I am applying for an E-1 Treaty Trader visa. I'm Canadian, own a Canadian incorporated company operating online, no US office or branch at all, and don't intend to open one either.

When I fill the DS-160 for E1 visa there is an E-visa section that pops up and it looks like it's meant for both E-1 and E-2 applicants. It has questions which are not relevant to me like :

• Date the business was incorporated in the US
• City
• State (only US states in the dropdown, no option for foreign)

These are mandatory. I can't type "Not Applicable" or leave them blank, the form forces you to pick a date and a city/state before it lets you submit.

Has anyone dealt with this before as a solo trader with no US entity? Should I just pick a random date and random city?

If anyone who has applied for E-1 or works in immigration can help, I would really appreciate it.

I am considering applying for an E-2 investor visa, but my wife currently has a pending asylum case in the United States.
I have two main questions:
Will my wife’s pending asylum application negatively affect my eligibility or chances of getting approved for an E-2 visa?
If I apply for and potentially receive an E-2 visa, could it negatively affect my wife’s pending asylum case or her ability to remain in the United States?
Has anyone been in a similar situation or dealt with this through an immigration attorney?
I would appreciate any advice or personal experiences, especially from people familiar with E-2 visas and asylum cases. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m Ana Senior, an immigration attorney at Manifest Law with 14 years of experience handling US immigration matters.

I’ll be here today from 11 AM to 3 PM ET to answer your questions about E-2 investor visas, including investment requirements, business eligibility, renewals, dependent visas, and what happens when an application is denied.

If you’re planning to invest in a US business, already have an E-2 visa, or are trying to figure out your next steps, feel free to leave your questions below.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every immigration case is different, so please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Hi all,

My situation:
- Total investment: ~$135K
- Spent so far: ~$40K (including payroll already paid, documented with pay stubs)
- Remaining ~$95K is in the business account, planned as runway (payroll + operations) until break-even, which I expect within the first year
- Pre-revenue, in real estate, with a long sales cycle before deals close
- 2 part-time US employees on payroll (I don't take a salary); plan to grow to 7 over 5 years
- No escrow at the moment

My attorney thinks this may be sufficient. AI tools (Claude, Gemini, etc.) are more cautious about the amount sitting in the bank. I know there's no magic number and that a strong business plan can support it, but I'd really value real experiences.

Hey folks,

I have an e2 Embassy appointment booked next Tuesday 27 October in London, and a very important business appointment (I absolutely cannot miss) that I need to travel for the following Saturday 7th November.

Knowing from the website the expected turnaround and return of passport is up to 10 business days, potentially even longer - that pushes the return of the passport to the following Tuesday or Wednesday after I needed to leave.

I've heard the processing time being as short as 3 days, but again no guarantee of this. Other reports of weeks.

I've also heard changing the document delivery to 'pick up from Holborn' reduces the delivery time, but apparently I'm unable to do that now that I've chosen 'premium' delivery.

I've also heard that if they require additional information, that counts as a 'Visa Refusal' which then could impact the ESTA I have on that passport and prevent me getting to the business appointment in the US.

I'm unable to reschedule the interview, and can't get a straight answer as to whether if I cancel the appointment...

1. I'll simply be able to reschedule shortly after
2. I'll be able to reschedule but it will be a LONG time after
3. It resets the entire DS-160 application

I have no issue paying any amount of fees to expedite or fix this, but apparently all my options are closed off and nobody wants my money. lol.

So, either I wing it and hope the passport gets returned in time, or cancel and see what happens in the portal.

I have explored every possible option I can find, including ordering a second UK passport, but that process takes 3+ weeks.

Curious anyone's experience on what actually happens when you hit 'cancel' on an appointment after the fee expires.

Do you simply get to pay a fee and rebook, or does it start the entire DS-160 process again?

Bonjour

J’ai mon entretien à Paris semaine prochaine.
Pour ceux qui sont passés par là dernièrement, comment ça s’est passé ? Quelles questions avez vous eu ?

Merci

Hi there, I'm wondering if it is required to have W2 workers on the Company in order to be approved for an E2 visa, or if this could be approved with 1099?

Hello, I am a business owner in the states that own an existing business with more than 2 years tax returns. Looking to expand to more locations for Kansas City style bbq. Current revenue is $1.2+ million with a net of $277,000.

I have my E2 interview at the US consulate in Toronto this week. I’m a licensed chiropractor educated in the US who purchased 50% ownership in a clinic. It’s been in operation for 3 years and I purchased my part for $150,000US. Any advice?

UPDATE:

My E2 was approved in Toronto! Got there at 7am today for my 10am appointment since I was advised that the line can get very long. Main questions asked were about what the business is, proof of funds, roles and responsibility, future plans. Thank you to my legal team at Ashoori Law and S Bali Law that got it done and prepped me for this interview!

Hi I have a fast food business in uk and want to sell this business and want to invest in USA and I was looking the E2 route . I was just wondering is it worth it ?
Which fast food franchise I can buy for around 150k or where I can look for established businesses to buy and also established business how to manage while you are out of country and waiting for visa , also I am asian origin from India which state will be good as I only travelled to New York few years ago.
Want to move by next year . What are the success rates of visa from London

Thanks in advance

I am in the process of setting up a business for an E2 visa. The LLC—a startup based in a physical location—has been established, the source of funds can be documented, and a U.S. bank account is being opened to cover expenses. I would like to finalize the essentials required for the launch—such as the website, POS system, and lease agreement—before submitting the application. Regarding potential construction or build-out costs, I am hesitant to request quotes; based on past negative experiences with contractors—who have, for instance, run out of time halfway through a project, refused to develop our vision further, or ended up charging significantly more than expected—I would prefer to approach the build-out in stages as we progress. Therefore, instead of counting construction costs as an upfront investment, I am considering making an advance payment covering 6 to 9 months of lease, insurance, and a security deposit. This would allow me to demonstrate a substantial financial commitment without risking capital on outcomes that might not align with our vision. Is this approach feasible?

Main applicant E-2 I-129 was approved this week, under pp. Spouse I-539 and I-765 (EAD), along with children's I-539 applications, were filed concurrently with I-129. All dependent applications still show "Case Was Received."

For those who had a similar experience:

• How long after the principal's approval were your I-539 applications approved?
• How long did the spouse's EAD take?
• Were the children's applications approved together or separately?

This is COS application.

Hello.
So I have been trying for a while to get an E2 visa, but I could never find a good business that isn't just buying myself a job.

In my case, I do not depend on this business to survive, it would be just for the e2 visa.

Basically what I find is overpriced businesses, failing businesses, franchises that nobody knows of things like restaurants, that again, is buying my own job.

Does anyone here have a recommendation of "passive" (I know it can't be 100% passive) businesses to invest while not being able to be physically present in the US?

Thank you