7) Alternative Paths (Beyond the Usual Routes)

E-2 lets you live and work in the U.S. by investing in a real, operating business. You must be a citizen of a 'treaty country' (80+ countries qualify, but notably NOT India or China). The investment must be 'substantial'—there's no fixed minimum, but $80,000-$100,000+ is typically expected for a small business. You can't just park money in a bank account; you need an active business that creates jobs. E-2 can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business operates. The catch: E-2 doesn't directly lead to a green card, so many E-2 holders eventually transition to EB-5 investor or EB-2 NIW. It's excellent for buying time while building something real.