Is there a minimum education requirement for an E-2 visa?

For both E-2 investor and E-2 employee visas, there is no minimum education requirement, in contrast to other types of work visas that require Bachelors’ or Masters’ degrees. However, E-2 investors and E-2 employees must show that they have the relevant skills and experience for the position.

An E-2 investor visa applicant is proposing to the government that they are going to enter the United States to “develop and direct” the business at issue, so they must be prepared to show evidence of having the appropriate skill set that makes this plan persuasive.

For example, an applicant could show a combination of work experience and educational credentials, or rely entirely on prior experience managing and directing other companies in the past to successful results. There is no requirement to show educational credentials above a particular level – it is not necessary to show an Bachelor’s degree specifically in economics or M.B.A. for example – but there must be some form of evidence that the government can rely on to expect that the applicant has the necessary skills and experience to run a business.

See this link for other requirements required to qualify for the E-2 investor visa, including nationality, substantial investment, marginality, and nonimmigrant intent.

There are two categories of E-2 employees; manager/executives and essential/specialized employees. There is no minimum educational requirement for either category, but applicants in each category must show they have the required skills and experiences to successfully fill their roles.

For example, applicants in the manager/executive category would need to show their ability to perform executive or supervisory roles in a business organization, and familiarity with the key functions of the company. The required experience or area of expertise for this executive or supervisory position would likely differ based on the specific needs of the E-2 company.

Applicants in the essential/specialized employee category need to demonstrate they have specialized and unique knowledge or skills that are essential to the success of the E-2 business.  These skills must be specialized and tailored to the specific needs of the E-2 business.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that eligibility for E-2 category visas do not require a minimum level of education. Rather, the relevant question is showing that the applicant possesses the requisite knowledge and skills for the position they are proposing to fill.