Credential Evaluation Guide for E-2 Investor Visas

The E2 Investor Visa is a great option for foreign entrepreneurs and investors who want to build a life and business in the United States. It’s not a green card, but it does offer a solid path to living and working in the U.S. as long as your investment meets certain conditions. Thanks to its flexibility, relatively fast processing, and potential for long-term stays, the American E2 visa continues to attract people from all over the world, especially those from E2 visa treaty countries.

One of the things that makes the E2 visa application unique is that there’s no strict education requirement. That said, academic evaluations can still be useful, especially when you're trying to show your experience, skills, and professional background. This can help support your case, particularly if you're working with an E2 visa attorney who’s putting together a strong application for you. These evaluations give immigration officers a better sense of your qualifications, even though the focus is mainly on the E2 visa investment amount and your business plan.

In this article, we’ll tell you why academic evaluations can impact your application, how they fit into the overall E2 visa requirements, and how they may affect your chances. Whether you're applying for the first time or preparing for an E2 visa renewal, it’s helpful to understand how every piece of your application, including your academic background, can help make your case stronger.

E-2 Investor Visas at a Glance

E2 Investor Visa Overview

The E2 visa, also known as the Treaty Investor Visa, is a great way for entrepreneurs and business owners from qualifying countries to live and work in the United States. It’s available to nationals of E2 visa treaty countries, nations that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S.

So, what is an E2 visa in America? Simply put, it allows foreign investors to enter and stay in the U.S. based on a significant investment in a U.S. business. Unlike other visa categories, the E2 is focused on entrepreneurship. As long as your business stays active and meets the requirements, you can live in the U.S. and even apply for a renewal if needed.

The E2 visa is temporary, but it can be renewed indefinitely, as long as your investment remains valid and continues to support your stay. One of the most important parts of the E2 visa application process is proving that your investment is substantial and that you’re actively involved in running the business.

We'll go into more detail later, including what counts as a qualifying business, the E2 visa minimum investment, and typical E2 visa processing time. But for now, just know that the E2 visa is a practical, investor-friendly way to launch or manage a business in the U.S.

Eligibility requirements for E2 visa applicants

To qualify for the E2 visa, you’ll need to meet a few key requirements. Here’s what you’ll need to show when submitting your E2 visa application:

• You must be a national of an E2 visa treaty country: Only citizens from countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S. are eligible for the American E2 visa.

• You must have invested, or be in the process of investing, in a bona fide U.S. business: The business must be a real, active enterprise that produces goods or services and follows all local laws.

• Your investment must be substantial: There’s no set E2 visa minimum investment, but your capital must: Be substantial relative to the total cost of starting or buying the business. It must also show your financial commitment to the business. It has to be enough to support the success of the business. And it has to be larger (proportionally) if the business is low-cost.

• Your funds must be at risk and from legal sources: You need to place capital, such as money, equipment, or other assets, at risk to make a profit. The funds can’t come from any form of criminal activity.

• You must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the business: You should either own at least 50% of the business or hold a key managerial role with operational control.

If you’re unsure whether your background or investment meets the E2 visa requirements, it’s a good idea to talk to a trusted E2 visa attorney who can walk you through everything.

Benefits and limitations of the E2 Visa for investors

The E2 visa offers several benefits for investors, including the ability to live and work in the U.S. with their families, flexibility to travel in and out of the country, and the opportunity to run their own business or invest in an existing enterprise. However, there are limitations to consider, such as the requirement for ongoing investment and the temporary nature of the visa, which does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. Additionally, not all countries have treaties with the U.S., limiting eligibility for the program.

You can read more about the E2 visa here.

E2 Visa Treaty Countries

One of the first things to check before starting your E2 visa application is whether your country of citizenship has an active treaty with the United States. The E2 visa is only available to nationals of specific countries that maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S. These countries are often referred to as E2 visa treaty countries.

If you're not sure whether your country is on the list, it's worth checking the official U.S. government list of treaty countries or asking an E2 visa attorney. Remember, E2 visa requirements start with nationality, so confirming this early on can save you time.

Being from a treaty country is the first step, but you’ll also need to meet other eligibility factors like investment amount, business ownership, and active involvement.

E2 Visa Processing Time

It takes from 3 weeks to 4 months, without accounting for the issuing of the visa, which might take up to a week more. There is an option for expedited processing or premium processing service. Check out the USCIS page to learn more about it.

E2 Visa Spouses and Children

One of the great benefits of the E2 visa is that it allows you to bring your family with you to the United States. If you're approved as a treaty investor or employee under the E2 classification, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can also come to the U.S. with you.

Your family members don’t have to be citizens of the same E2 visa treaty country—their nationality doesn’t affect their eligibility for dependent E2 status. They can either accompany you to the U.S. or join you later. If they're already in the U.S., they can apply to change or extend their status using Form I-539, which covers E2 visa spouses and children.

Spouses of E2 visa holders have a bonus: they are automatically authorized to work in the United States. As long as they hold valid E2 or E2S status, they don’t need to apply separately for work authorization—unless they're in a special category like long-term CNMI investors. However, many still choose to file Form I-765 to get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which can serve as proof of both identity and work eligibility for employment paperwork.

• Valid evidence of work authorization includes:

• An unexpired Form I-94 with an E-2S code.

• An unexpired Form I-94 (E-2 code) plus a USCIS notice about E-2S status.

• An unexpired EAD (Form I-766).

• A recently expired EAD with supporting documents showing it’s automatically extended.

Children of E2 visa holders are allowed to attend school in the U.S., but are not authorized to work.

E2 family members need to keep an eye on their E2 visa processing time, travel records, and expiration dates. When an E2 investor or employee travels and returns to the U.S., they often get an automatic two-year period of readmission. But this doesn’t automatically apply to family members unless they travel too. If your spouse or child stays behind, they must apply to extend their E2 status before it expires.

Role of academic evaluations in E2 visa applications

Academic evaluations play a crucial role in showcasing the educational qualifications of individuals applying for the E2 investor visa. As the E2 visa program requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the U.S. economy through investment in a qualifying business, evaluating academic credentials helps substantiate the applicant's background and expertise. By assessing educational achievements, evaluators provide evidence of the applicant's skills, knowledge, and readiness to succeed in their proposed business venture. Moreover, academic evaluations offer a standardized method for comparing foreign educational credentials with U.S. academic standards, ensuring fairness and consistency in the visa application process.

Educational credentials evaluated for E2 visa applications encompass a wide range of qualifications, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, and transcripts. These credentials may cover various fields of study, such as business administration, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, and relevant vocational training programs. Evaluators assess the authenticity, accreditation status, and equivalence of these credentials to determine their relevance to the proposed business venture. Additionally, they may consider professional certifications, licenses, and specialized training programs that contribute to the applicant's qualifications as an investor and business owner.

Academic evaluations significantly contribute to meeting the visa requirements for the E2 investor visa. By evaluating the educational credentials of applicants, evaluators provide immigration authorities with valuable insights into the applicant's academic background, expertise, and preparedness for entrepreneurship. These evaluations help demonstrate the applicant's eligibility for the visa by verifying the educational qualifications required to make a substantial investment in a U.S.-based enterprise. Moreover, academic evaluations facilitate transparency and credibility in the visa application process by ensuring that applicants meet the educational standards expected for successful business ownership and management in the United States.

Key considerations for academic evaluations

Choosing a reputable credential evaluation agency is paramount for E2 visa applicants to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their academic evaluations. Consider agencies with experience in handling evaluations specifically for E2 visa applications, and check client reviews and testimonials to gauge their reputation and reliability.

Understanding the specific requirements of the USCIS

Understanding the specific requirements outlined by the USCIS is crucial for E2 visa applicants to ensure compliance and avoid delays or denials in the visa process. The USCIS has clear guidelines regarding the documentation needed for academic evaluations, including the format, content, and submission procedures. Applicants should familiarize themselves with these requirements and ensure that their chosen credential evaluation agency meets USCIS standards. Additionally, applicants should be aware of any updates or changes in USCIS policies related to academic evaluations and stay informed throughout the application process.

Documentation needed for academic evaluations and how to obtain it

The documentation needed for academic evaluations typically includes transcripts, degree certificates, diplomas, and any other relevant educational credentials. Applicants can obtain these documents from their previous educational institutions by requesting official copies or transcripts. It's essential to ensure that the documents are issued in the original language and include detailed information about the applicant's academic history, coursework, grades, and degree conferral. In cases where documents are not in English, applicants may need to provide certified translations along with the original documents for evaluation purposes.

Timelines and costs associated with academic evaluations for E2 visa applicants

Understanding the timelines and costs associated with academic evaluations is essential for E2 visa applicants to plan their visa application process effectively. The timeline for academic evaluations may vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the evaluation, the workload of the credential evaluation agency, and the responsiveness of applicant in providing required documentation. It's advisable to start the evaluation process well in advance of the visa application deadline to allow for any unforeseen delays. Additionally, applicants should budget for the costs associated with academic evaluations, including evaluation fees, document authentication, and translation expenses, and factor these into their overall visa application expenses.

For more information about academic evaluations and answers to other common questions people have about academic evaluations, see our article: Commonly Asked Questions About Academic Evaluations.

Components of an academic evaluation report

Academic evaluation reports typically follow a standardized format to ensure clarity and consistency. Key Sections include:

• Educational Background: This section provides an overview of the applicant's academic history, including degrees earned, institutions attended, and areas of study.

• Course-by-Course Evaluation: Here, each course taken by the applicant is analyzed and grades and credits are converted from the foreign education system to US standards.

• GPA Calculation: The evaluator computes the applicant's GPA using the grades obtained in each course and their respective credit hours, providing a standardized measure of academic performance.

• Summary: A concise summary of the evaluation, highlighting the applicant's qualifications and any noteworthy findings or recommendations.

  For a full discussion of the format of academic evaluation reports, see How to Interpret an Academic Evaluation Report.

In the context of an Investor Visa, an academic evaluation report can bolster the petition by proving that the applicant has the requisite qualifications and knowledge to successfully invest in and manage businesses in the US.

Make Your E2 Visa Application Stronger with the Right Academic Evaluation

As we've seen, academic evaluations may not be the first thing people think of when applying for an E2 visa, but they can play an important supporting role, especially when it comes to showing you're qualified to run a business in the U.S.

A solid academic evaluation helps immigration officers understand your background, especially if your education was completed outside the United States. It connects the dots between your credentials and what’s expected here, which can help reinforce your eligibility and professional readiness.

If you’re pursuing the E2 visa route, don’t overlook this piece of the puzzle. Working with a trusted evaluation provider ensures your academic documents are clear, complete, and aligned with U.S. standards. That way, you’re not just meeting E2 visa requirements; you’re building a stronger, more confident case for your E2 visa application overall.

Need help with your academic evaluation? MotaWord provides fast, affordable, and USCIS-compliant academic evaluation services. Our team handles everything from transcript review to official reporting, so you can focus on your investment and business plans. Get your academic evaluation from MotaWord today.

Mark Rogers - Head of Evaluation Services at MotaWord

Mark is a credentials evaluator expert with over five years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated a keen attention to detail and a thorough understanding of international education systems, contributing to his reputation as a trusted authority in the field of credentials evaluation.