Being refused entry at a US airport or border while holding a valid E2 investor visa can be shocking and stressful. Many E2 visa holders assume that once their visa is issued or renewed, entry into the United States is guaranteed. In reality, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has full authority to re-evaluate admissibility every … Read more
Many E-2 treaty investors believe that they can never apply for a green card because the E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa that requires an intent to depart. But that’s only half the story. In reality, E-2 visa holders can and do obtain US permanent residency through several immigrant visa (green card) options. At The Messersmith … Read more
In 2025, USCIS has raised the bar for E-2 investor visa approvals. It’s no longer sufficient for an investor’s business to merely support their own livelihood. The enterprise must now show a measurable economic impact within the United States. We’ve received many inquiries recently in Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and E-2 visa denials citing one … Read more
If your E-2 visa was denied because the business was deemed not operational, you’re not alone and we’ve successfully helped many clients in this exact situation secure approvals. This is one of the most common issues many people encountered with E-2 applications and sought our legal assistance. Even if you’ve formed an LLC, opened a … Read more
One of the most overlooked, but critical, requirements for an E-2 visa is demonstrating that you have control over the business. We’ve helped many clients secure approvals after their E-2 applications were denied for this reason and sought our help, even though they had invested significant funds and were actively managing daily operations. By addressing … Read more
If your E-2 visa was denied because the investment wasn’t considered “substantial” or the business was labeled a “marginal enterprise,” you’re not alone and we’ve successfully helped many clients in this exact situation obtain approvals. These are among the most common reasons for E-2 visa refusals, often stemming from concerns about the scale or economic … Read more
One of the most common reasons for E-2 visa denial is a finding that the investment funds are not irrevocably committed but we’ve successfully helped many clients in this exact situation secure approvals. This issue arises when consular officers determine that the funds are still sitting in a personal bank account or haven’t yet been … Read more
If your E-2 visa was denied due to source of funds issues, you’re not alone and we’ve successfully helped many applicants turn that denial into an approval. This is one of the most frequent reasons E-2 visas are refused, usually because the consular officer determined that the investment funds were not clearly documented or lawfully … Read more
Being denied an E-2 visa under INA §214(b) can be incredibly frustrating, especially when the refusal is based on a perceived lack of intent to depart the US after your visa expires. We’ve successfully helped many clients overcome this exact issue, even after they were initially denied despite having a legitimate business and a qualifying … Read more
Recently, a Canadian entrepreneur reached out to us after his E2 investor visa was refused at the US Consulate in Toronto. He had invested a substantial amount in a US based consulting business and had applied for an E2 visa to actively manage and grow his company. However, after attending his interview, the consular officer … Read more