What is the E-2 visa approval rate for Canadians?

Based on 33 decided cases managed by Visa Franchise between January 2025 and May 2026, the final approval rate for Canadian E-2 visa applicants is 93.9%. 30 of 33 cases were approved on the first attempt (90.9% first-attempt rate).

E-2 visa approval rate for Canadians: real data from 33 cases (2025–2026)

Q: What is the minimum investment for a Canadian E-2 visa?

The United States does not publish a fixed minimum. In this dataset of 33 cases, approved cases ranged from $81,115 to $288,913, with most falling between $85,000 and $200,000. The one denial at $22,831 shows that very low-capital service businesses face scrutiny at the consular level.

Q: How long does the E-2 visa process take for Canadians?

Among 32 cases with a recorded processing time, the median was 78 days from petition filing to a consular decision. The fastest case resolved in 11 days; the longest took 286 days. Most cases fall between 50 and 140 days.

Q: What happens if my E-2 visa application is denied?

A denial does not prevent reapplication. The one second-attempt approval in this dataset confirms that refiling works when the underlying problem is resolved. The IT consulting denial involved a capital deficiency that could be corrected by restructuring the business investment before refiling.

33 Canadian investors. 31 approvals. Every decision below is a documented outcome from a real case filed between January 2025 and May 2026. Compiled by Patrick Findaro, Founding Partner at Visa Franchise · Last updated: June 2026

93.9%

Final approval rate

31 of 33 decided cases

90.9%

First-attempt rate

30 of 33 approved first try

90+

E-2 visas issued

Investors, spouses & children

33

Total decisions

Jan 2025 to May 2026

78

Median days

Filing to consular decision

$113K

Median investment

Approved cases with data

CONTENTS

ALL DECISIONS

All 33 decisions

Canadian E-2 visa cases managed by Visa Franchise, January 2025 to May 2026. Most recent first.

33 of 33 cases shown

Decision	Industry	Approach	Investment	Processing time	Outcome

No cases match the selected filters.

Approved (30) Approved (2nd attempt) (1) Denied (2)

Table summary for reference: This table contains 33 E-2 visa decisions for Canadian clients of Visa Franchise, January 2025 through May 2026, sorted by decision date from most recent to oldest. Of the 33 decisions: 30 were approved on the first attempt, 1 was approved on the second attempt, 1 was denied on the first attempt (IT consulting business, $22,831 investment, January 2026, reason: insufficient capitalization), and 1 was denied on the second attempt (Cabinet & Vanity manufacturing, E-2 Employee visa, February 2026). Business models include franchise investments, owner-operated startups, and E-2 employee visas. Industries covered include home care, senior care, mental health services, tutoring, junk removal, construction, manufacturing, cleaning services, food service, entertainment, engineering, event planning, property management, and others. Investment amounts in approved cases ranged from $81,115 to $288,913, with a median of approximately $112,565. Processing times for approved cases ranged from 11 to 286 days, with a median of 78 days.

CLIENT STORIES

33 cases decided. 8 told their story.

These clients are part of the dataset above. Each one approved. Click any tab to open their case file.

E-2 Visa · Case File 01 / 08

Manik Kundra

Houston, Texas

Watch full story →

E-2 VisaApproved★ ★ ★

Industry

Apparel manufacturing

Investment

$155,000

Timeline

N/A

Solution

Own business

State

Texas

"91% of our sales came from the US. You have to go where your customer is."

MONTH BY MONTH

Decisions by month, January 2025 to May 2026

THREE PATHWAYS

Outcomes by business model

Franchise Visa Program

100%

14 approved

0 denied

14 total

Start Your Own Business

94.1%

16 approved

1 denied

17 total

E-2 Employee

50%

1 approved

1 denied

2 total

The Franchise Visa Program reached 100% approval across 14 cases. Both denials came from different paths, confirming that no single approach carries more inherent risk. Investment level, preparation, and fit matter more than which program you choose. Not sure which path fits your situation? Take the eligibility check to find out.

BY SECTOR

Approval rates by industry

Six of eight industries approved every application. The two exceptions are an IT consulting case denied for undercapitalization, and a Cabinet & Vanity manufacturing E-2 Employee case denied on second attempt.

Approval rates by business sector 33 cases · 8 industries

Home care and senior services

100% · 4 cases

Home services and trades

100% · 9 cases

Professional services

75% · 4 cases

Manufacturing and retail

80% · 5 cases

Entertainment and events

100% · 4 cases

Mental health and wellness

100% · 3 cases

Education

100% · 2 cases

Food and hospitality

100% · 2 cases

Industry is not a primary approval factor. The business plan, investment amount, and source of funds carry more weight in consular decisions. Industry categories are assigned based on each business's primary activity; some businesses span more than one category.

DENIAL ANALYSIS

What the two denials reveal

Denial 1

IT consulting, January 2026

Outcome: Denied on first attempt

Investment: $22,831

Solution: Start Your Own Business

Processing time: 78 days

The investment fell well below what consular officers treat as substantial for a service business. At $22,831, the application could not clear the proportionality test.

Takeaway: For professional service businesses, investors should plan for a minimum of $50,000 to $80,000 in documented capital.

Denial 2

Cabinet & Vanity manufacturing, February 2026

Outcome: Denied on second attempt

Investment: N/A (employee visa)

Solution: E-2 Employee

E-2 Employee petitions require the sponsoring E-2 business to demonstrate that the position requires specialized expertise and that the employee will meaningfully direct or develop the enterprise. A second attempt that does not address the original weakness will face the same result.

Takeaway: E-2 Employee sponsorships live or die on the alignment between the job role and the E-2 business plan. If the first petition was denied, the role definition and business case need to be substantially rebuilt before refiling.

Neither denial represents a flaw in the E-2 process. Both were specific, addressable problems. If you are concerned about your investment level or business model, run a free eligibility check before filing.

METHODOLOGY

About this data

How the 33 cases were selected, measured, and categorized.

Data scope

Every E-2 decision for Canadian citizens handled by Visa Franchise between January 2025 and May 2026, drawn from our internal client management system. Includes approvals, denials, first attempts, and second attempts.

What counts as a decision

A case is counted only when the consulate or USCIS issued a formal approval or denial. Pending applications and cases still in process at the data cutoff are excluded.

Investment amounts

Total capital placed at risk by the applicant, as recorded at filing. Three cases with no investment data show as n/a. One E-2 employee case reflects employer-funded investment.

Processing time

Calendar days from petition filing to consular decision. One home maintenance case from May 2026 has no processing time on record and is excluded from time-based calculations.

Industry categories

Assigned by Visa Franchise based on each business's primary activity. Some businesses span more than one category and may appear under multiple groupings in the summary table.

“Of the 31 approvals in this dataset, 30 went through on the first attempt. That tells you something about preparation. The consular officers at Toronto are experienced with E-2 filings. What they want to see is genuine capital at a level that is substantial relative to the cost of the enterprise, and a credible plan showing you will actively manage it. When you get those two things right, a 93.9 percent approval rate is not a surprise.”

Patrick Findaro

Founding Partner, Visa Franchise

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions from Canadians considering the E-2

Answered using real data from 33 decided cases.

What is the minimum investment for a Canadian E-2 visa?

The United States does not publish a fixed minimum. The legal standard is that the investment must be "substantial" relative to the total cost of establishing or purchasing the business. In this dataset, approved cases ranged from $81,115 to $288,913, with most falling between $85,000 and $200,000. The one denial at $22,831 shows that very low-capital service businesses face scrutiny at the consular level. For the official investment standard, see the State Department E-2 treaty investor page. For business options by investment level, see Visa Franchise's franchise program.

How long does the E-2 visa process take for Canadians?

Among the 32 cases in this dataset with a recorded processing time, the median was 78 days from petition filing to a consular decision. The fastest case resolved in 11 days; the longest took 286 days for an approved application. Most cases fall between 50 and 140 days. Processing time depends on consular appointment availability and whether the officer requests additional documentation. Current appointment wait times for Toronto, Ottawa, and Calgary are listed on the US Embassy Canada visa page.

Which consulate handles E-2 applications for Canadians?

First-time E-2 applicants must interview at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. This is the only post that handles new E-2 applications for Canadians. Renewals are more flexible and can be processed at other posts including Calgary and Montreal. A Canadian residing outside Canada at the time of renewal may apply at their nearest U.S. consulate. The legal standard applied is the same regardless of post; consulate choice affects appointment availability and wait times only.

Can Canadians apply while living in the United States?

Yes. Canadians already in the United States can file for a change of status directly with USCIS, without leaving the country for a consular interview. Two cases in this dataset involved Canadian citizens with U.S. residency at the time of application, and both were approved on the first attempt. The change-of-status process is described on the USCIS E-2 treaty investor page. Canadians on valid nonimmigrant status are generally eligible to file the change while remaining in the US.

What happens if my E-2 visa application is denied?

A denial does not prevent reapplication. The IT consulting denial in this dataset involved a capital deficiency that could be corrected by restructuring the business investment before refiling. When a denial stems from section 214(b), the applicant can address the specific deficiency and refile with a stronger application package. The one second-attempt approval in this dataset confirms that refiling works when the underlying problem is resolved. Working with Visa Franchise's team before refiling substantially improves the odds. Review the E-2 requirements checklist to identify gaps in your original filing.

What types of businesses qualify for a Canadian E-2 visa?

The E-2 visa requires that the business be a real, active enterprise, not a passive investment or a firm generating only subsistence-level income for the investor. The businesses in this dataset span home care, mental health services, tutoring, construction, manufacturing, cleaning, food service, entertainment, engineering, event planning, and property management. Both franchise investments and independently started companies qualify. Franchise businesses are common for E-2 applications because they come with documented startup costs and proven operating models, which simplifies the substantiality analysis consular officers apply.

Find out which U.S. visa you actually qualify for

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