Secure Your U.S. Investor Visa with Salinas Law Firm
What is An E2 Investor Visa?
Representing clients in all 50 states!
The United States remains one of the safest countries in the world for families to live and work. For many, the goal of starting and owning a business has been a significant part of the American dream. The E2 investor visa offers foreign investors a pathway to freely conduct business in the United States by establishing a new business venture or purchasing an existing business. The Salinas Law Firm is focused on meeting the E2 visa needs of our business clients. Choosing the right E2 visa lawyer Houston is critical to your success with your E2 visa application.
To determine if your country is a treaty country, you can search the comprehensive list provided by the U. S. Department of State. The E2 visa isn’t for just anyone who has a trade or investment. This visa class is exclusively for what the USCIS terms “treaty traders and investors”. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify under this requirement, speak with your E2 Visa Lawyer Houston.
An experienced e2 visa lawyer earns their fee by turning a promising business plan into a petition that actually satisfies USCIS or the consular officer reviewing it. At Salinas Law Firm, E2 matters are handled directly by attorneys who understand both the immigration requirements and the corporate side of establishing a U.S. business: company formation, EIN registration, operating agreements, and the financial projections that back up your investment.

Are You Eligible for an E2 Visa?
- If you are a citizen and/or national of a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States you may apply for an E2 Investor Visa.
- You must present evidence that you are coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the operations of a business that you have invested in or are in the process of investing.
- The minimum investment for an E2 visa can be as low as $70,000 USD depending on the type of business. The investment must be considered substantial.

What are the Benefits of the E2 Visa?
- You can stay for an unlimited duration of time in two-year increments renewable every two years.
- Your dependent spouse and unmarried minor children (20 years old and below) are eligible to accompany or follow to join you under an E2 Visa.
- This E2 Visa also gives your children access to U.S. schools where they can attend classes from Pre-K to high school and even Universities.
- The E2 Visa allows you to legally work in the USA and enables your spouse to apply for a work permit. Once granted, your spouse can legally work for any employer in the U.S.
How Our E2 Visa Immigration Lawyer Team Helps
An E2 petition is part immigration filing, part business plan, and part corporate formation. We handle all three under one roof, working alongside tax specialists and business-plan writers where needed.

Petition & Consular Filing
DS-160/DS-156E preparation, E2 packet compilation, and interview preparation for consular processing or an I-129 change of status.

Business Formation
Company formation, EIN registration, operating agreements, resolutions, and BOI reporting for your new U.S. entity.

Investment Documentation
Business plans with financial projections, franchise and business-broker agreements, and escrow or purchase agreements.

Ongoing Corporate Support
Independent contractor agreements, banking assistance, and continued guidance as your business grows.

Renewals & Extensions
Preparing E2 renewal filings and status extensions as your business continues operating in the U.S.

Family Petitions
Coordinating dependent spouse work authorization and school enrollment documentation for your children.
What is E2 Investor Visa Procedure?
01
Determine Where to Submit Your Application
Applications for E2 visas are generally submitted at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. For those who are already working in the U.S. under a different visa status, you can file an I-129 and have your status changed as soon as your petition is approved.
02
Consular Processing for Applicants Outside the U.S.
However, if you are currently outside the U.S., you will need to go through consular processing. This involves making an appointment with the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country to schedule an interview with a consular officer.
03
E2 Visa Processing Times
Fortunately, the investor visas have relatively short processing times. However, this also depends heavily on the caseload of the government office that processes your application.
04
Expedited Processing With Premium Processing
If available, you have the option to expedite the processing time at the USCIS service center by choosing premium processing service. This optional service reduces your processing time to 15 calendar days. In the event that USCIS does not meet this deadline, your premium processing fee will be refunded.
05
Consular Interview and Processing
For those undergoing consular processing, then your processing time will depend on the workload of your home country’s U.S. consulate or embassy. Schedule an interview appointment and then wait until the scheduled date, which can range from a few weeks to a few months. Your E2 Visa Attorney Houston will guide you through every step of the process.
06
Stay and E2 Visa Extensions
Once your E2 visa has been granted, you will be able to stay in the U.S. for an initial period of two years. While this may seem short compared to other nonimmigrant visas, the E visa allows you to apply for an unlimited number of E2 extensions.

Meet Alberto Salinas
Founding Attorney, Salinas Law Firm
Clients searching for the best e2 visa attorney for their situation are usually comparing more than credentials. They want someone who can speak to both the immigration filing and the business side of establishing a company in the U.S. Alberto Salinas has spent 20+ years doing exactly that, working alongside tax specialists and business-plan teams to give investor clients a complete picture before they file.
- Licensed Texas Attorney in Good Standing with the State Bar of Texas
- 20+ years handling E2 and other employment-based immigration matters
- Bilingual legal services in English and Spanish
- Transparent fee structure with no unexpected legal costs
Why You Need an E2 Visa Lawyer in Houston
An E2 grant only lasts two years at a time, so renewal isn't optional. It's part of owning the business long term. We recommend starting the process at least three to six months before your current status expires, which gives us time to update your financial statements, confirm your business is still meeting the substantial investment requirement, and file before any gap opens up in your status.
For clients who are already in the U.S. and simply extending their stay rather than re-applying from abroad, renewal often means filing Form I-539, the application to extend or change nonimmigrant status. Our e2 renewal I-539 filings in Houston are built around updated business records: current profit and loss statements, payroll if you have employees, and evidence that you're still actively directing the company day to day.

What a Renewal Filing Typically Includes
- Updated business financials showing the company remains active and operating
- Evidence the business continues to meet the E-2 investment and is non-marginal
- Proof that you continue to develop and direct the business
- Form I-539 for those extending status from inside the U.S.
If your business has changed direction since your last filing, tell your attorney early. An E2 status extension in Houston involving new business activities still needs to show that the business continues to meet the E-2 investment, operational, and eligibility requirements.
Full Services Comparison
| Services Offered | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing advice, training & guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Review of various petitions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compilation of agreements, docs and cover letters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Completion of DS-160/USCIS forms | ✓ | ✓ |
| DS-156E | ✓ | ✓ |
| Prepare and File E-2 Packet | ✓ | ✓ |
| Registration and Scheduling Guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interview Preparation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Company Formation | ✓ | |
| Certificates/Operating Agreement/By-laws | ✓ | |
| Obtain EIN | ✓ | |
| Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report | ✓ | |
| Resolutions of Initial Organizational Meeting | ✓ | |
| Assistance with Company Bank Account | ✓ | |
| Franchise and Business Brokers | ✓ | |
| Additional Agreements: Business Purchase, Escrow, Independent Contractors | ✓ | |
| Business Support | ✓ | |
| Resume | ✓ | |
| Business Plan with financial projections | ✓ |
Area We Serve
Our E2 visa attorneys serve clients in Houston, throughout Texas, and across all 50 states. If you are planning to invest in and operate a business in the United States through the E2 treaty investor visa, we can guide you through every step of the process.
- Downtown Houston
- Sugar Land
- Pasadena
- The Woodlands
- Katy
- Pearland
- Humble
- Greater Houston
What are the E2 Visa Requirements?
- Must be a citizen or national of a treaty country and a real or corporate person
- Must invest a substantial amount in order to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise; No set amount required for investing
- Must invest into a real operating business either newly created or an existing business
- Investment must generate a significant income more than one that merely provides a living for the investor and the family, or the investment has a significant impact on the U.S. economy
- No secured loans with the assets of the investment company
- Must have control of the funds and be at risk in the commercial sense
- Must come to the U.S. to develop and/or direct the business if principal investor; if not the principal investor, must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or have a highly specialized skill essential to the business
- Must be admissible into the United States; "admissible" means not having certain criminal or immigration violation history and/or undesirable traits identified by the United States government.
If you are unsure whether or not you qualify under these requirements, speak with your E2 visa lawyer Houston.
Contact Our E2 Visa Lawyer Houston
Need assistance with immigration law in Houston or nationwide? Look no further than Salinas Law Firm. Our experienced Houston immigration attorneys excel in providing exceptional legal assistance, ensuring your immigration process is handled with utmost care and professionalism. Trust us to be your guide every step of the way.
Trusted by Clients Across the U.S.
E2 Visa FAQ Section
The E2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. for the purpose of investing in and operating a business. It provides a pathway for individuals who want to manage and oversee a substantial investment in a U.S.-based enterprise.
To apply for an E2 visa, you must demonstrate that you are from a treaty country, have made a substantial investment in a U.S. business, and plan to develop and direct the enterprise. The application process typically includes submitting forms, supporting documents, and attending a visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
To qualify for the E2 visa, you must be a citizen of a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce, have made a substantial investment in a U.S. business, and have control over the funds invested. The business should be a real and active enterprise, not just a passive investment.
Yes, E2 visa holders can apply for an extension as long as they continue to meet the requirements, such as maintaining an active role in the U.S. business. Extensions can be granted indefinitely, as long as the business remains operational and the investment continues.
The process for E2 visa renewal can vary depending on your specific circumstances and the U.S. embassy or consulate processing your application. Typically, it involves submitting renewal documentation and attending an interview. Processing times can range from a few weeks to several months.
The E2 visa extension process is similar to the initial application process. You must show that you are still actively managing your U.S. business and that your investment is still substantial. Renewal applications can be submitted within six months of the expiration date.
An E2 immigration lawyer can guide you through the complex application and renewal process, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted correctly. They can also help address any legal challenges, such as dealing with visa extensions or resolving issues with the U.S. consulate.
Several factors influence the approval of an E2 visa renewal, including continued substantial investment in the business, active management of operations, and compliance with U.S. immigration laws. It’s important to demonstrate that the business remains viable and contributes to the U.S. economy to improve the chances of a successful renewal.
Traveling abroad during your E2 visa extension application is possible, but it comes with risks. If you leave the U.S. before your extension is approved, you may need to apply for a new visa at a consulate to re-enter. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you plan international travel around your extension process.
It’s recommended to begin the E2 visa renewal process at least 3 to 6 months before your current visa expires. Early preparation ensures timely submission of documents and avoids gaps in legal status, providing peace of mind during the renewal period.
While the E2 renewal process shares similarities with the initial application, such as proving investment and business viability, renewals often focus more on the continued success and operation of the existing enterprise. Supporting documents may include financial statements showing ongoing profitability and active management.
Salinas Law Firm offers comprehensive assistance for E2 visa extension applications, including document preparation, business plan updates, and interview coaching. Our experienced attorneys ensure your extension petition meets USCIS requirements, increasing your chances of a smooth and successful process.
If your E2 visa extension application is denied, it’s important to understand the reasons behind the decision. You may have options such as filing an appeal or submitting a new application. Working with an experienced attorney can help you assess your case and determine the best course of action to protect your status.
Yes, you can change or expand your business during the E2 renewal process. However, you must demonstrate that your new business activities still meet the substantial investment and operational requirements. Providing updated business plans and financial documents is essential, and legal guidance can help ensure your renewal application is successful.
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