The United States attracts Pakistani entrepreneurs and investors because of its large consumer market, predictable legal system, and mature business ecosystem (banking, franchising, professional services, and startup support). The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa lets eligible Pakistani nationals enter the U.S. to develop and direct a real, operating business they have invested in.
Pakistan is treated as an E-visa treaty country for E-1/E-2 eligibility, and Pakistani nationals commonly receive multiple-entry E visas valid up to 60 months (5 years) under the reciprocity schedule (subject to consular discretion and case facts).
Important note (practical): E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa. It can be renewed/extended as long as the business remains qualified, but it is not a direct green card program.
What is the USA E-2 Visa?
A USA E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a Pakistani citizen to:
- Invest in a U.S. enterprise (new or existing)
- Enter the U.S. to develop and direct that enterprise (active operational role)
- Bring dependents (spouse + unmarried children under 21)
- Renew/extend as long as the enterprise remains real, operating, and not marginal
Who Can Apply for an E-2 Visa from Pakistan?
To qualify, a Pakistani applicant generally must:
- Be a Pakistani national (passport-based nationality matters for E visas)
- Invest in a U.S. business where the enterprise has treaty nationality (typically 50%+ ownership by treaty nationals)
- Own at least 50% of the business or otherwise have operational control (e.g., managerial control structure)
- Be coming to the U.S. specifically to develop and direct the business (not a passive investor)
- Show the enterprise is real and operating and will have economic impact beyond just supporting the investor’s living
What Are the USA E-2 Visa Requirements for Pakistanis?
The strongest E-2 applications typically cover these core pillars:
- Treaty eligibility (Pakistan nationality)
- A substantial, at-risk investment (not sitting uncommitted in a bank account)
- A real, operating commercial enterprise (not speculative or idle)
- Non-marginal business (more than just supporting you + family, or otherwise meaningful economic impact)
- You will direct and manage operations (role clarity + experience)
- Intent to depart when E-2 status ends (E-2 is not dual-intent))
What Types of Investment Qualify for an E-2 Visa?
Eligible (common) E-2 investment routes:
- Starting a new U.S. company (LLC/Corporation)
- Buying an existing business
- Purchasing a franchise (food, retail, services, home-care, education, etc.)
- Expanding a Pakistani company into the U.S. (U.S. subsidiary/branch strategy)
- Partnerships/joint ventures (must still show control + treaty nationality ownership)
Not eligible (usually weak/non-qualifying):
- Passive real estate held mainly for rental income
- Stocks, mutual funds, crypto portfolios (passive holdings ≠ operating enterprise)
- “Parking funds” without spending/irrevocable commitment
What is Considered a “Substantial Investment”?
U.S. rules don’t set one fixed number. “Substantial” is evaluated in context, including:
- Total cost to purchase/start the business
- Whether your funds are at risk and irrevocably committed (spent or contractually committed)
- Whether the investment is sufficient to ensure successful operation
- The proportionality idea: low-cost businesses often require a higher percentage investment
What is the Minimum Investment for E-2 Visa From Pakistan?
There is no official minimum in U.S. law.
However, for practical planning and reduced scrutiny, many investors target:
- ~USD $100,000+ for many business types
- Some cases succeed below that, but those applications often require exceptionally strong evidence (clear spending, strong margins, hiring plan, and strong business logic)
What Documents Are Required for a USA E-2 Visa From Pakistan?
A clean E-2 package usually includes:
Personal + treaty eligibility
- Pakistani passport (biographic + visa pages)
- DS-160 confirmation page (CEAC)
- DS-156E (required in some E-visa scenarios; many posts request it in E packages)
U.S. business formation + compliance
- LLC/Corporation formation documents (state filing)
- EIN letter
- Operating Agreement / Share certificates / Cap table (ownership proof)
- Business bank account evidence
- Contracts: lease, vendor agreements, franchise agreement (if applicable)
Investment proof (the “money trail”)
- Bank statements, wire receipts, escrow agreements
- Invoices/receipts for equipment, buildout, marketing, licensing, inventory
- Proof that funds are committed/at-risk
Source of funds (critical)
- Salary savings, business profits, dividends
- Property sale documents + bank trail
- Gift deed + donor’s source
- Inheritance + legal documents
- Tax records (Pakistan + any other)
Operations + hiring
- Organizational chart (your role + hiring plan)
- Job creation plan (roles, timing, payroll budget)
- Your CV, experience evidence (business background, management, industry skill)
Family (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate (for spouse)
- Children’s birth certificates
- Certified English translations if documents are not in English
What is the E-2 Business Plan?
Your E-2 business plan is one of the most decisive parts of the case. It should clearly show how the enterprise will operate and grow, including:
- Executive summary
- Market + location analysis (city/state, customer profile, pricing)
- Competitor analysis
- Services/products + business model
- Hiring plan + payroll assumptions
- 5-year financial projections (revenue, COGS, expenses, profit, cashflow)
- Start-up costs + use of funds
- Milestones + operational timeline
The plan must connect to your evidence: lease, invoices, bank trail, staffing plan, and realistic numbers.
How to Apply for the USA E-2 Visa From Pakistan?
Typical consular workflow:
- Select a business (or buy one) from the U.S. entity
- Transfer funds and commit/spend investment (buildout, inventory, contracts, franchise fees, etc.)
- Prepare DS-160 + DS-156E and supporting documents
- Pay required visa fees (E visa application fee is listed as $315 on the Department of State E-visa page)
- Schedule interview per the instructions for your visa post
- Attend interview and present your case clearly (investment + operations + role + intent)
What is the E-2 Visa Interview?
The interview checks two things:
- Credibility: Is this a real investment and a real operating plan?
- Eligibility: Do you meet treaty, investment, role, and nonimmigrant intent requirements?
Common questions:
- Why this business and why this location?
- What exactly have you invested? Show proof.
- Where did the funds come from? Walk the money trail.
- What is your role day-to-day (director/manager)?
- Staffing: Who will you hire and when?
- What are projected revenues and key expenses?
- What happens if revenues are lower than expected?
- What ties do you maintain outside the U.S. / what is your long-term plan?
How Long Does It Take to Get the E-2 Visa From Pakistan?
It varies by:
- Appointment availability
- Quality/completeness of your E-2 package
- Whether the case goes into administrative processing
A realistic content-safe range is: several weeks to a few months depending on scheduling and case complexity.
Can I Bring My Family on the USA E-2 Visa?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can apply as dependents.
Can E-2 Visa Holders Work in the USA?
- The principal E-2 investor works in and for the E-2 enterprise they are directing.
- Spouse: In practice, E spouses are widely treated as work-authorized incident to status, and may work for any employer (process details can depend on admission classification/I-94 annotation and current DHS/CBP procedures).
Can E-2 Visa Children Study in the USA?
Yes. E-2 dependent children can generally attend school (K–12) and study in the U.S. while in dependent status.
How Long Can a Pakistani National Stay in the USA with an E-2 Visa?
Two separate concepts matter:
- Visa validity (stamp): Pakistan’s reciprocity schedule shows E-2 multiple-entry up to 60 months (5 years).
- Period of stay (admission): Each U.S. entry is governed by the I-94/admission period, and you must maintain valid status (extensions available if eligible).
Can the E-2 Visa Lead to a Green Card?
E-2 itself is nonimmigrant, but investors sometimes transition through other immigration options depending on profile and strategy, such as:
- EB-5 (immigrant investor)
- EB-1C (multinational manager/executive), if you also run a qualifying overseas business and meet requirements
- Family-based immigration (if eligible)
This should be planned carefully so your E-2 application remains consistent with nonimmigrant intent rules.
Is It Difficult to Get an E-2 Visa From Pakistan?
It depends mainly on:
- Investment being real, at-risk, and committed
- Strong source-of-funds documentation
- A business plan that proves the enterprise is not marginal
- Your role being clearly director/manager, not a passive owner
Common Reasons for E-2 Visa Rejection
- Funds not committed / money just sitting in an account
- Weak or unrealistic business plan (numbers don’t match the market)
- Unclear source of funds (broken money trail)
- Business appears marginal (only supports the investor)
- Ownership/control not proven (cap table/operating agreement issues)
- Missing documentation or poorly organized submission
How Can Go Foreign USA Visa Consultants Help You?
Go Foreign USA Visa Consultants can support you end-to-end, including:
- E-2 eligibility assessment (Pakistan treaty + profile fit): confirm your nationality/ownership structure meets E-2 treaty rules and enterprise nationality (50%+ treaty ownership)
- Business selection guidance: franchise vs. startup vs. existing business acquisition—based on budget, timeline, and risk profile
- Investment structuring: “at-risk/irrevocably committed” investment planning (leases, buildout, inventory, franchise fees) aligned with E-2 expectations
- Source-of-funds documentation: full money trail strategy (property sale, savings, business income, gifts/inheritance) with clean supporting evidence
- Professional E-2 business plan development: market research, hiring plan, and 5-year projections that match your evidence and business model
- Application preparation: DS-160 + DS-156E support, document checklists, translations guidance, and a logically organized “E-2 binder”
- Interview preparation: mock questions, “numbers story,” role clarity, and confidence training
- Family & dependents: spouse/children documentation, schooling guidance, and practical relocation checklist
- Post-visa compliance & renewals: keeping operations active, financial recordkeeping, hiring milestones, and renewal strategy
If you’re planning an E-2 investment from Pakistan, Go Foreign US visa consultants can evaluate your case, review your funds trail, and build a complete E-2-ready file so you apply with confidence and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between E-2 and EB-5?
- E-2: nonimmigrant, renewable/extendable, investment amount flexible, must develop/direct business
- EB-5: immigrant category leading to green card; requires meeting statutory investment + job creation rules
Can E-2 investors travel freely?
If your visa is valid and you maintain status, E-2 is typically issued as multiple-entry for Pakistani nationals under reciprocity.
Can Pakistani investors use property liquidation as a source of funds?
Yes, if you provide complete documentation: sale deed, valuation, tax proof (where applicable), and bank trail showing funds entering your account and then transferring to the U.S. investment.
