E-2 Visa Cost: Government Fees, Professional Fees, and the Investment
By Doğukan Ergüven, Founder Checked against primary sources
The cost of an E-2 visa comes in three layers: government filing fees, professional fees, and the qualifying investment itself. The government fees are modest and fixed; the investment is by far the largest figure. This guide breaks down each layer so applicants can see where the money goes. Fee figures change, so they are given with their source and should be verified before filing.
The three layers of E-2 cost
An E-2 budget has three distinct parts. Government fees are paid to the U.S. consulate or to USCIS. Professional fees cover any attorney and the business plan. The investment is the capital placed into the U.S. business, and it dwarfs the other two. Confusing the fees with the investment is a common source of misunderstanding about what the E-2 really costs.
Government fees: the consular route
Most E-2 cases are filed at a U.S. consulate abroad. The core government charge is the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV) for the E classification, listed by the Department of State at $315. The application also uses Form DS-160 and the treaty-investor supplement Form DS-156E. A reciprocity (visa issuance) fee may also apply depending on nationality. These figures are set by the Department of State and should be confirmed on travel.state.gov before filing.
Government fees: the USCIS route
An applicant already in the United States may instead request a change of status or extension with USCIS on Form I-129. Under the fee schedule effective April 1, 2024, the I-129 fee for an E classification is $510 for a small employer (25 or fewer full-time employees) or nonprofit, and $1,015 for a larger employer, plus an Asylum Program Fee of $300, $600, or $0 respectively.
Premium processing is optional on the USCIS route: Form I-907 carries a fee of $2,965 (effective March 1, 2026) and commits USCIS to act within 15 business days. Premium processing speeds only the USCIS petition, not a consular interview. All USCIS figures should be verified at uscis.gov/g-1055, as they are adjusted periodically.
Professional fees
Many applicants engage an immigration attorney, whose fee varies widely by case complexity. The other common professional cost is the E-2 business plan: dedicated writing services often charge a few thousand dollars, while self-help software prepares a structured, consulate-ready plan from the applicant's own inputs at a lower cost.
The investment itself
The largest figure is the investment, which is not a fee but the capital committed to the business. It must be substantial and proportional, as explained in the substantial investment guide. Immigration practitioners commonly describe small-business E-2 investments in the rough range of 100,000 to 300,000 U.S. dollars, with lower amounts succeeding for low-overhead service businesses. These are observed patterns from practice, not legal thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an E-2 visa cost in government fees?
- On the consular route the core fee is the $315 E-classification visa application fee, plus a possible reciprocity fee. On the USCIS route, Form I-129 runs $510 to $1,015 plus an Asylum Program Fee, with optional premium processing at $2,965.
- Is the investment part of the visa cost?
- The investment is the largest amount involved, but it is capital committed to the business rather than a fee. It is returned to the business as equipment, inventory, lease costs, and operations, not paid to the government.
- Does premium processing speed up a consular E-2 case?
- No. Premium processing (Form I-907) only speeds a USCIS petition filed inside the United States. It has no effect on a consular interview or visa processing abroad.
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