South Korean applicants · United States of America
E-2 Treaty Investor for South Korean citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Non-immigrant treaty investor visa for nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the US.
This page covers the E-2 Treaty Investor specifically for South Korean applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to South Korea. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- No fixed national clock publishedUse the current DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
- Government fees
- DS-160 USD 315 (reciprocity-adjusted); I-129 USD 1,015 (for in-country change of status).
- Typical duration
- Initial up to 2 years at port of entry (5-year visa stamp for many nationalities); renewable indefinitely.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Bilateral context
- US E-1/E-2 Treaty
Consular processing: Seoul
Tourist entry vs. this route
Yes — South Korean nationals can enter United States of America without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the E-2 Treaty Investor.
Key figures for South Korean applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
No fixed national clock published
DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
Use the current DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Verified 10 September 2026 · DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor
Visa overview
The E-2 permits nationals of E-2 treaty countries to invest a substantial amount of capital in a US business and direct its operations. There is no fixed minimum, but the investment must be substantial relative to the cost of the business and sufficient to ensure commitment. E-2 is renewable indefinitely but is not a direct pathway to permanent residence.
Additional sources
Primary source
US Department of State — Treaty Countries ↗ · U.S. Department of State
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Applicant is a national of an E-2 treaty country.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Investment of substantial capital (irrevocably committed) in a bona fide US enterprise.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Enterprise is real, operating, and not marginal (capable of generating more than minimal living for the investor).U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Applicant develops and directs the enterprise (or works in an executive/supervisory/essential-skill role).U.S. Department of State ↗
Common blockers
- !Applicant is a national of a non-treaty country.U.S. Department of State ↗
- !Passive investments (real estate for personal use, speculative holdings).U.S. Department of State ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Source-of-funds documentation and proof funds are irrevocably committed.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ·Business plan demonstrating marginality test is met.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ·Corporate documents, lease, licences, and hiring evidence.U.S. Department of State ↗
Application pathway
Confirm treaty-country nationality
Verify the applicant holds a passport from an E-2 treaty country.
Commit investment and document
Transfer funds irrevocably into the US enterprise and document the source.
File DS-160 or I-129
Apply at US consulate or change status inside the US.
Renew indefinitely
Extend in 2-year increments as long as the business operates.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United States. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck E-2 filing route ↗
Treaty investors use this USCIS page to confirm E-2 eligibility and whether to file with USCIS or a consulate.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · verified
Other United States of America routes covered for South Korean applicants
Not sure United States of America is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer investor routes that South Korean nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are South Korean citizens eligible for the E-2 Treaty Investor?+
Eligibility for the E-2 Treaty Investor is set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. South Korean applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do South Korean applicants typically file the E-2 Treaty Investor?+
Seoul. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do South Korean applicants need a tourist visa for United States of America as well?+
Yes — South Korean nationals can enter United States of America without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the E-2 Treaty Investor.
How long does the E-2 Treaty Investor take to process from South Korea?+
DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route. Use the current DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying. South Korean applicants usually file via Seoul, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor, verified 10 September 2026.
Is E-2 dual intent?+
No. E-2 is a non-immigrant visa and is not formally dual-intent. Filing for a green card can make renewals more difficult, though it is not an automatic bar; many E-2 holders transition to EB-1, EB-2, or EB-5.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Last checked: 8 July 2026