The funds used for investment must be the visa applicants own funds, and documentary evidence will be required to prove this. These funds, however, may be in the form of loans (as long as the loan is not collateralized by the acquired assets) and other assets such as equipment, fixtures, inventory, patent rights, royalties and other contract rights so long as they can be objectively appraised.
In addition, any business undertaken as part of the investment must not be marginal in nature. That is, to be legitimate, the business must have the present or future capacity to generate more than enough income for the treaty investor and their family. The projected future income-generating capacity should generally be realizable within 5 years from the date the E-2 Visa holder commences the normal business activity of the enterprise.
The E-2 Visa initially allows a stay of up to 2 years, although there is no limit to the total time the visa holder may remain in the U.S. providing they continue to meet all visa extension requirements. A spouse of an E-2 Visa holder and any dependent children are also granted this visa status.