Programmes
E-2 treaty investor visa vs. EB-5 immigrant investor programme
A plain-English comparison so you understand the shape of each route before you talk to immigration counsel. General information only, not legal advice; nothing here states or implies that any specific investor qualifies for either programme.
| E-2 Treaty Investor Visa | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Renewable temporary (nonimmigrant) status | Path to a permanent green card |
| Who can apply | Citizens of E-2 treaty countries only (Canada is one of them) | Investors of any nationality |
| Investment amount | No fixed minimum — must be “substantial” relative to the business | $800,000 in a targeted employment area, $1,050,000 elsewhere |
| Job creation | Not a fixed requirement, but the business cannot be marginal | At least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers |
| Typical timeline | Can often be approved in weeks | Considerably longer, and can involve a visa-availability wait depending on country of birth |
| Renewal | Must be renewed indefinitely as long as the business operates | Not applicable once permanent residence is granted |
| Real estate | A business the investor runs; passive property alone does not qualify | Must fund a job-creating enterprise; buying a house or rental does not qualify |
Where Nova Horizons fits
Whichever route applies, there is a Florida purchase at the centre of it: a business to acquire, or a property to buy alongside it. Nova Horizons handles the Florida side — the market, the target, the team and the execution — and works alongside your immigration counsel, who decides everything about eligibility. Read about buying a Florida business.