Canadians are among the most frequent applicants to America’s E-2 Investor Visa program for reasons that are easy to see.  

From processing times to benefits for spouses to the lack of a minimum investment, the E-2 has proven to be a hit with those looking for a path forward to live and manage an investment in the U.S. 

Canadian participation in the E-2 Visa program is so significant that we made it the topic of a recent webinar, E-2 Visa Essentials for Canadians: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Applications.  

Covering all the essentials of the E-2 program from the perspective of potential applicants from Canada gave us a chance to take a deep dive into several aspects of the visa category with a Canadian twist. From acceptance rates to limits on applications to common Canadian investor backgrounds, we got into the details of how Canadian investors engage with the E-2 program.  

To help guide us through the topic, we were joined by immigration professional and E-2 specialist Angie Rupert of the Los Angeles-based Rupert Law Group. Together with webinar host Marianella Manzur, Partner and Global Director of Sales & Marketing at Joorney, Angie provided answers to just about any question a Canadian E-2 applicant might have.  

You can watch the full video of the webinar at the link below. We’ve also put together some of the main points of the conversation below.  

Here are some of the main takeaways from E-2 Visa Essentials for Canadians: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Applications: 

Why is the E-2 Visa so popular among Canadians? 

No surprises here, but it’s still worth covering some of the basics, such as why Canada ranks third in terms of the number of E-2 applications filed.  

The reasons given during the webinar start with simple reasons related to geography. Being close by means easier access, more familiarity and proximity to friends and family. Also, language is not an issue.  

On top of that, similarities in the business climate make adjusting to living and working in the U.S. that much easier.  

Most of all, however, is the simple and obvious attraction of the world’s biggest consumer market and the opportunities it offers. Eight times the population means eight times more of everything.  

What is a “substantial” investment? 

One of the eligibility requirements for the E-2 Visa is that the applicant must make a “substantial” investment in the U.S. No dollar amount is given, just the term “substantial”. 

What does this mean, exactly? Why isn’t a specific minimum given in the rules of the visa requirements?  

In fact, the lack of a number is a deliberate way to reserve some amount of discretion when evaluating applications rather than making it seem automatic if some minimum investment is met. Still, the current wording creates uncertainty among applicants and the question of what “substantial” means is a common one.  

During the webinar, Angie Rupert shared the advice she gives to her Canadian clients.  

“Everybody wants to know what the dollar amount has to be, and the answer is that there is no dollar amount,” she says. “The requirement is that the investment is ‘substantial’. What does that mean? I don’t know, but we always recommend a minimum of $100,000 or whatever it takes to get the business operational, whichever is more”. 

Statistics on Canadian E-2 Visa applications 

We got other insights into what Canadian engagement with the E-2 Visa looks like in the form of some interesting statistics.  

Based on the latest information, the approval rate for Canadian applications for the E-2 Visa is just under 95%, with the applications for the E-2 overall at around 90%.  

In terms of total applications, there were just over 6,200 approvals for Canadians in 2023, an increase of 64% over the figure from 2022. The large gap between the two years is largely attributed to COVID and its recovery period.  

A mandatory trip to Toronto? 

One point covered several times during the conversation is the fact that Canadian E-2 applicants must go to Toronto in person for an interview at the American consulate.  

Even though it just lasts a few minutes in most cases, being physically present, there is a required step in the process. This also applies to any family members over the age of 14 who will accompany the visa holder to the United States.  

These are just a few of the many points covered in the full presentation of E-2 Visa Essentials for Canadians: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Applications with special guest Angie Rupert. For more details and a deeper look at Canada and the E-2 Visa, watch the full recording on Joorney’s YouTube channel.