The E-2 visa: an immigration tool via investment
The E-2 (Treaty Investor) visa allows citizens of treaty countries with the United States (incl. Luxembourg, France, Belgium) to obtain an indefinitely renewable work visa via substantial investment in an active American business. Acquiring a hotel or motel is a preferred route: tangible asset, job creation, active not passive operation.
5 USCIS criteria evaluated automatically
1. Substantiality: invested capital vs total project cost (typically 50-100% if project < $500k, decreasing for larger projects). 2. At-risk: funds actually committed (escrow, signed contracts). 3. Marginality: income above US family minimum vital. 4. Real & operating: active hotel, not passive holding. 5. Job creation: US jobs created or maintained (excluding investor and family).
Tool limitations and recommended support
This tool computes an indicative score on the 5 key criteria. It does not replace consulting an E-2-specialised US immigration lawyer. Subjective elements (quality of business plan, investor professional history, tax compliance, target hotel due diligence) are not considered and remain decisive for actual visa grant.
Frequently asked questions
What minimum capital for a hotel E-2 visa?
No official USCIS threshold. In practice, $100-200k is considered a floor. For a hotel/motel, typical range is $300-800k equity for an $800k-$2M project, with creation of 4-10 US jobs.
Duration and renewal of E-2 visa?
Initial visa 2-5 years depending on country (5 years for LU/FR/BE). Indefinitely renewable as long as criteria (active business, maintained jobs, committed funds) are met. Each renewal costs $200-400 + legal fees.
Can children and spouse work or study?
Spouse: can apply for a US work permit (EAD) without sector restriction. Children: can study in any US public or private school (K-12, university). At 21, children lose derived status — they must change visa.