E-2 Visa Cost (2026): How Much to Invest and What the Fees Are

By Talia Harari, Attorney at Law. Updated September 2026.

The E-2 has two kinds of cost: the money you invest, which stays in a business you own, and the fees to obtain the visa. Government fees are modest next to the investment. Below we break down both, with current government figures and a sample budget you can adapt.

This guide separates the two buckets so you can budget with confidence. For the full overview, see our E-2 visa practice page, or check exactly who qualifies for the E-2.

How much do you need to invest?

No minimum dollar amount appears in the law. Your investment only has to be substantial in relation to the total cost of the business. Because of that proportionality test, a lower-cost business needs the investment to cover a higher share of its total cost.

In practice, most approved E-2 cases involve investments from around $50,000 to $200,000 or more. A small service business might qualify at the lower end, while buying an established business or a franchise often lands in the six figures. Whatever the amount, the funds must be committed and at risk in the business, not sitting in a bank account. The substantial investment requirement covers the full rules.

E-2 government and filing fees

What you pay the government depends on where you apply, and it is small next to the investment.

Applying at a U.S. consulate in your home country, the main charge is the $315 E visa application fee per applicant (source: U.S. Department of State). If you are already in the U.S. and change status, we file Form I-129 with USCIS and you pay USCIS filing fees instead, with premium processing available for a faster decision. Government fees change, so we confirm current amounts before filing.

Attorney and legal fees

Our fees are flat and quoted in full before we begin. You know the total up front, and we do not bill by the hour.

The scope of work depends on your case. A straightforward startup with clean, well-documented funds is simpler, while a business acquisition or a complicated source-of-funds history takes more work. Either way, the goal is the same: keeping your case clear of the most common denial traps.

Business setup and other costs

Beyond government fees, plan for the cost of building the business and preparing the application:

• Business plan with five-year projections: roughly $1,500 to $5,000.
• Company setup: incorporation, licenses, and accounting.
• Lease, equipment, inventory, and staffing: these are part of your investment and count toward it.
• Document translation and certification of foreign records.
• Travel to the consulate for your interview.

What does an E-2 visa cost in total?

Here is how the pieces fit together for a small business applying through a consulate abroad. Your numbers will differ, but the proportions are typical.

Notice that the great majority of the total is the investment itself: capital in a business you own, not money paid away. The cost of getting the visa is a much smaller slice.

Can your investment cover the immigration costs?

No, not the fees. Attorney fees and government filing fees do not count toward your qualifying investment. However, money you spend to set up and operate the business, such as equipment, inventory, leasehold improvements, and initial payroll, generally does count. Keep these two buckets separate and well documented.

Ongoing and renewal costs

Since the E-2 renews in increments of up to two years with no cap, costs recur. Each renewal generally means another legal fee and government fee, plus keeping your business records current to prove the company still qualifies. Plan for a renewal cost every couple of years for as long as you hold the visa. See what E-2 renewal requires.

Is the E-2 worth the cost?

For most treaty-country entrepreneurs, we think it is. Compared with the EB-5 green card, which requires an $800,000+ investment, the E-2 has a far lower and more flexible entry cost, renews indefinitely, and lets your spouse work. The trade-off is that it is temporary rather than permanent. Our E-2 vs EB-5 comparison weighs the two side by side.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an E-2 visa cost in total?

The investment is the largest number by far. It has no legal minimum but often runs $50,000 to $200,000 or more, and it stays in a business you own. On top of that come government fees, supporting costs such as a business plan, and our flat legal fee, quoted in full before we begin.

What is the minimum investment for an E-2 visa?

None is set by law. The investment must be substantial relative to the cost of the business. In practice most approved cases start around $50,000, and often $100,000 or more for an established business.

How much are the E-2 government fees?

At a U.S. consulate abroad, the E visa application fee is $315 per person. Changing status from inside the U.S. means USCIS filing fees instead, and premium processing (about $2,805) is an optional extra for a faster decision.

How are your E-2 legal fees structured?

Our fee is flat and quoted in full before we begin, never hourly. You know the total before any work starts, separate from government filing fees.

Can my legal and filing fees count as part of the investment?

No. Government filing fees and attorney fees do not count toward your qualifying investment. Money spent to set up and run the business, such as equipment, inventory, and lease costs, generally does.

Related: E-2 visa practice page, E-2 minimum investment, E-2 requirements, E-2 processing time.

This article is general information from Harari Law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law and agency policy change; outcomes depend on individual facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.