Investor Guides by Country
Which U.S. investor and founder routes are open to you depends first on your nationality. Each guide answers the E-2 treaty question directly, lists the routes that remain, and sets out how to document funds leaving your home country.
Treaty status checked against the State Department treaty country list | Accurate as of October 22, 2026 | Reviewed by Lidice Samper, Esq.
E-2 or EB-5?
E-2 is a renewable nonimmigrant status open only to treaty nationals, while EB-5 leads to a green card for investors of any nationality at a higher capital threshold. We compare the two side by side in E-2 or EB-5? A Decision Guide; the guides below cover what changes for your country.
Brazil
Not an E-2 countryBrazil is not an E-2 treaty country, so Brazilian investors and founders usually reach the United States through EB-5, O-1A, EB-1A, the National Interest Waiver or, if they also hold Italian or Portuguese citizenship, the E-2 visa on that second nationality.
Portugal
E-2 treaty countryPortuguese nationals can use the E-2 treaty investor visa, available to them since March 15, 2024, as well as EB-5, O-1A, EB-1A and the National Interest Waiver.
Mexico
E-2 treaty countryMexican nationals can use the E-2 treaty investor visa as well as EB-5, O-1A, EB-1A and the National Interest Waiver, and Mexican companies can transfer managers and executives on the L-1.
Colombia
E-2 treaty countryColombian nationals can use the E-2 treaty investor visa as well as EB-5, O-1A, EB-1A and the National Interest Waiver.
Spain
E-2 treaty countrySpanish nationals can use the E-2 treaty investor visa as well as EB-5, O-1A, EB-1A and the National Interest Waiver.
India
Not an E-2 countryIndia is not an E-2 treaty country, so Indian investors and founders usually look to EB-5, the L-1, EB-1A, the National Interest Waiver and the O-1A.
Nepal
Not an E-2 countryNepal is not an E-2 treaty country, so Nepali investors and founders usually look to EB-5, the L-1, EB-1A, the National Interest Waiver and the O-1A.