Obtaining an Investor Visa in Miami
Compare the E-1, E-2 and EB-5 investor visas for entrepreneurs with business plans in Miami, including the main requirements. Contact the office for guidance.
If you have any business plans in Miami, you can request the services of our US immigration lawyer here, who can help you apply for an investor visa.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of visas | – E-1 visa, – E-2 visa, – EB-5 visa |
Requirements for the E-1 visa | The E-1 visa addresses nationals of treaty countries who carry on substantial trade, principally (over 50%) between the USA and the treaty country. |
Requirements for the E-2 visa | The E-2 visa is available for nationals of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount of capital in a US business they develop and direct (and for certain employees of such businesses). |
| Requirements for the EB-5 visa | – business registration, – creation of 10 full-time jobs, – capital injection |
| Minimum investment (if any) | USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area or infrastructure project, otherwise USD 1,050,000 (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of March 2022) |
| Access to US Green Card (YES/NO) | Yes, the EB-5 investor visa enables the applicant to obtain a conditional Green Card |
| Access to real estate acquisition through the EB-5 visa | Property purchase is not one of the available investment options for the investor visa for the USA. |
| Possibility to relocate with family members (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the main applicant | – spouse, – unmarried children aged below 21 |
| Access to Green Cards for the family members | Yes, these too will qualify for conditional US Green Cards. |
| Validity of the investor visa | 2 years |
| Timeframe to obtain a US investor visa (approx.) | Varies; check uscis.gov/processing-times (Forms I-526/I-526E) and the Visa Bulletin |
| Benefits after obtaining US citizenship | – voting rights, – access to education, – possibility to open a business, – easiness in bringing family members to the USA |
| Access to permanent residency(YES/NO) | Yes, after 2 years of conditional residency. |
| Support in filing for an EB-5 visa (YES/NO) | Yes, immigration lawyers in USA can help candidates apply for the EB-5 visa. |
What are my options if I want to move to the United States as a foreign investor in 2026?
You can apply for:
- the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which grants you temporary residence based on business ownership;
- the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, which grants you a Green Card directly.
What are the requirements to obtain a E-2 Treaty Visa for the US?
Here they are:
- you can apply for this visa if you are a citizen of a country that has a commerce and navigation treaty with the United States;
- you are not conditioned to invest a certain amount of money; however, you need to pass the substantial test, which implies an amount that is sufficient to maintain a business (there is no official minimum; the amount must be proportionate to the total cost of the business);
Can I work if I obtain an E-2 investor visa?
Yes, you can also work while having your own business in the USA.
What is the validity of a US E-2 investor visa?
It can range from 2 to 5 years. It can also be renewed countless times, as long as the business is a successful one.
What are some countries that have E-2 treaty visa relations with the United States?
Among the countries that hold such arrangements are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK in Europe. The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea are in Asia. Argentina and Colombia are in South America, and Costa Rica in Central America. Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, and Morocco are other parts of the world.
Below, foreign investors can find out more details on the process of obtaining an investment visa in Miami, USA:
Is there a minimum investment to obtain an EB-5 visa?
Yes, as follows:
- USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area;
- USD 1,050,000 in a region outside a Targeted Employment Area.
Do I obtain permanent residency in the USA directly if I apply for an EB-5 visa?
No, you will first be issued a US conditional Green Card with a 2-year validity. After investing the required amount and ensuring the minimum 10 job condition, you will be granted permanent residency.
Are there any other conditions to obtain an investor visa for the US?
Yes, the candidate also has to meet the following criteria:
• he or she must have an approved Form I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor) or Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor). Our immigration lawyer in Miami can give you more details on this matter;
• he or she has to be able to enter the US;
• an immigrant visa number must be immediately available to him or her (see the Visa Bulletin).
What is the investor visa application procedure?
If you apply for the investor visa in Miami in 2026, there are two possibilities:
• Applying from abroad: you can receive the investor visa in the US through the consular process if you live outside the country.
• Applying from inside the US: you can receive the investor visa if you already live in the US by adjustment of status.
How long does it take to obtain an investor visa for the US?
The procedure ranges from several months to several years (check uscis.gov/processing-times and the Visa Bulletin), depending on the number of applications.
We can also help you with opening a firm in the USA, no matter its type or the share capital. The incorporation time frame is around two weeks, and you can choose one of the main types of legal entities: limited liability company, S-Corporation, C-Corporation, limited or general partnership.
Our law firm is at your service no matter the way you want to move to this country, and particularly if you are interested in Florida.
If you have any questions on the 2026 US investor visa scheme, you can send them to our law firm in Miami. Likewise, if you are a Canadian entrepreneur interested in how to immigrate to the US from Canada, we can assist you. The investor visa in USA is one of the best solutions for foreign citizens who have business plans in Miami.
Our immigration attorney in Miami specializes in the investor visa program. We provide complex legal services related to the investor immigration issues in the US. If you have more questions about the investment visa in USA, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our lawyer can help you obtain any type of immigration visa in Miami.
Responsible attorney: Sandra I. Murado, Esq., Florida Bar No. 55549 · Last updated 29 October 2026Sandra I. Murado is President and Managing Attorney of Law Offices of Sandra I. Murado, P.A. in Coral Gables, Florida, and has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1995.