Canada is an E-2 treaty country, so Canadian citizens can invest in and run a U.S. business on an E-2 — often the cleanest way to turn cross-border activity into a U.S. presence. Here’s what to know.
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The fundamentals are the same wherever you’re from — but the angle that wins differs by background. Here’s what tends to matter for Canada investors.
Canada is an E-2 treaty country, so Canadian citizens can apply — note this is separate from TN status, which is for specific professions, not running your own business.
Proximity means many Canadians already trade across the border. The E-2 lets you live in the U.S. and run a business directly, rather than commuting on a visitor basis.
Canadians have options. TN suits employees in listed professions; L-1 suits transfers from a Canadian company; the E-2 suits owner-operators investing their own capital.
Because the U.S. and Canada are so integrated, Canadian E-2 applicants often run distribution, trades, logistics, or service businesses that operate on both sides of the border — and the E-2 lets the owner be physically present in the U.S. to direct them.
If you also own a Canadian company, it’s worth comparing the E-2 against a new-office L-1A before deciding, since the L-1A can lead to a green card while the E-2 cannot.
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Yes. Canadian citizens are eligible for the E-2 treaty investor visa.
A TN is for citizens of Canada and Mexico working in specific listed professions for an employer. The E-2 is for investors actively directing their own U.S. business — a different purpose entirely.
Often yes, but your focus must be developing and directing the U.S. enterprise. We’ll structure it so both can coexist where possible.
If you have an established Canadian company, a new-office L-1A may be worth comparing — especially if a green card is a goal, since L-1A leads to EB-1C.
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