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E-2 Investor Visa for Tech Startups

 

The United States continues to lead the world in technology entrepreneurship. According to Reuters, artificial intelligence (AI) startups captured a record 46.4 percent of total U.S. venture capital funding in 2024, showing how central AI has become to the country’s innovation economy. According to the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), technology sectors including software, fintech, AI, and health tech accounted for over 70 percent of all venture capital investment in the United States in 2024. This scale of activity illustrates why the U.S. remains one of the most competitive and well-funded startup ecosystems in the world.

These national trends come to life when looking at individual companies that began as startups and grew into industry leaders. Stripe is one such story. Founded in San Francisco, Stripe provides online payment infrastructure for businesses of all sizes. According to Reuters, in April 2024 the company raised $694.2 million through a tender offer that valued it at about $65 billion. Stripe’s growth illustrates how a U.S. startup can transform into one of the most valuable private companies while continuing to expand globally.

Anthropic, based in San Francisco, develops artificial intelligence systems with a focus on safety and is best known for its Claude language models. Founded by former OpenAI researchers, it has become a major force in U.S. technology. In March 2025, Reuters reported Anthropic closed a $3.5 billion Series E round, which brought its valuation to $61.5 billion. Its rapid rise underscores the strength of the American startup climate.

OpenAI, headquartered in San Francisco, began as a research lab and now operates some of the most widely used artificial intelligence platforms, including ChatGPT and DALL·E. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company was in talks to sell existing shares in a tender offer that would value it at roughly $29 billion (WSJ, January 2023). This investment highlights both the demand for advanced technology and the scale of venture support available to U.S. startups.

 

The E-2 Investor Visa: A Pathway for Entrepreneurs

The success of companies like Stripe, Anthropic, and OpenAI demonstrates the strength of the U.S. startup climate. For foreign entrepreneurs and investors who want to take part in this environment, the E-2 Investor Visa provides a lawful option. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the E-2 visa allows nationals of treaty countries to be admitted to the United States when investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.

 

Eligibility

  • The investor must be a national of a country that maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States.
  • The investment must be substantial. USCIS notes this is judged in proportion to the total cost of purchasing or establishing the business.
  • The investment funds must be at risk and committed to the enterprise.
  • The investor must be entering the U.S. to develop and direct the business. This generally requires at least 50 percent ownership or operational control.
  • The business must be a real and operating commercial enterprise, not a passive investment.

 

Applying for an E-2 Visa

According to USCIS and the Department of State, here are the key steps:

  1. Develop a business plan and prepare investment
    • The enterprise must be active and capable of generating income. A detailed plan is expected.
  2. File Form DS-160 (Online Non-immigrant Visa Application)
    • This form is submitted electronically to the Department of State by prospective visa applicants.
  3. Complete Form DS-156E (Non-immigrant Treaty Trader/Investor Application)
    • This is specific to E-2 investors and required for visa processing.
  4. Schedule a consular interview
    • The applicant must attend a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
  5. Enter the U.S. and maintain status
    • An approved E-2 visa holder is admitted initially for up to two years. Extensions may be granted in two-year increments as long as the business remains operational.

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany the investor. According to USCIS, spouses may apply for work authorization once in the U.S., expanding opportunities for the family.

*Figures are drawn from the cited third-party publications and government datasets and were current as of the publication date. While we strive for accuracy, please independently verify any numbers that are material to your decisions.

 

Sources

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