E-2 treaty investor visa: a general overview for Turkish citizens

Is Türkiye an E-2 treaty country?

Yes. The US–Türkiye investment treaty entered into force on May 18, 1990, and Turkish citizens have been eligible for E-2 since then.

Core requirements

• At-risk investment: the capital must be committed to the business and subject to loss. Money sitting idle in an account, or a passive investment, is not enough.
• Substantial investment: there is no fixed minimum amount. The investment is assessed in proportion to the total cost of the business; the smaller the business, the higher the proportion expected.
• Real and operating enterprise: the business must be an active, for-profit venture that produces goods or services.
• Not marginal: the business must be able to generate more than a minimal living for the investor and their family, either now or, generally, within 5 years.
• Develop and direct: the investor must direct the business through at least 50% ownership or operational control.
• You must document that the capital comes from a lawful source.

Spouse, children and employees

• Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany the investor in dependent E-2 status, regardless of their nationality.
• Spouses in E-2 status are authorized to work incident to that status. Since January 30, 2022, spouses have received an arrival record (I-94) annotated "E-2S." This does not extend to children.
• The business's executive or essential-skills employees may apply as E-2 employees, provided they share the business's treaty nationality.

Length of stay and the green card

• Initial entry allows a stay of up to 2 years. Extensions are granted in 2-year increments, with no limit on how many. Visa validity and authorized length of stay are not the same thing.
• E-2 is temporary: applicants declare that they intend to leave the US when their status ends. E-2 does not by itself lead to a green card (permanent residence).

Applying from Türkiye

• The E visa unit at the US Consulate General in Istanbul handles E visa applications. Once you book an appointment, the unit sends you the document list and submission instructions.
• You may need to submit Form DS-160; Form DS-156E, if the consulate requests it; a cover letter explaining how the business meets the requirements; ownership documents; a chronological list of investment expenditures; and source-of-funds documents. Follow the consulate's instructions for the current list.
• Since September 6, 2025, applicants must, as a rule, apply at the US embassy or consulate in their country of citizenship or residence.
• The E visa application fee has been $315 since June 17, 2023. A country-specific reciprocity fee may also apply.
• If you already hold another valid status in the US, you can apply to USCIS on Form I-129 to change to E-2. However, you will still need a visa from a consulate if you leave the US and want to return.

Can an Amazon or e-commerce business qualify for E-2?

The regulations do not distinguish between industries. What matters is that the business is real, active and operating, and not marginal. There is no official assessment guide specific to e-commerce.

In practice, the consulate asks for company tax returns, payroll records and documents showing how the investment was spent. A small online store with no US employees or physical operations, which supports only the founder, may struggle to document these requirements. No investment amount or business model guarantees a visa; the decision rests with the consular officer.