E-2 Visa Cost in 2026: Government Fees, Lawyer Fees and the Real Total

The investment is the headline number in an E-2 case, but it is not the whole bill. Government fees, professional services and business formation add a second layer of cost that investors often underestimate. This article lists every expense we see in a typical case, with 2026 figures, so you can budget accurately before you commit funds.

Government fees

Consular visa application fee (MRV). The fee for E category visas is $315 per applicant, including each dependent spouse and child. It is paid when you schedule the interview and is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.

Reciprocity fee. After approval, citizens of some countries pay an additional issuance fee that mirrors what their government charges Americans. Many treaty countries have no reciprocity fee for E-2; others charge anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred. Check the reciprocity schedule for your country on travel.state.gov.

USCIS fees for change of status or extension. If you apply from inside the United States on Form I-129, budget for the I-129 filing fee for E classification (currently $1,015), the Asylum Program Fee that accompanies most I-129 petitions ($600, or $300 for small employers with 25 or fewer employees, waived for nonprofits), and Form I-539 for dependents. Premium processing adds $2,805 and buys a 15-business-day decision.

Biometrics and SEVIS. Not applicable to most E-2 cases.

Government fees are the smallest part of the total. For a family of four applying at a consulate from a country with no reciprocity fee, the government cost is $1,260.

Professional fees

Immigration attorney. E-2 cases are usually quoted as flat fees. In 2026 we see $4,000 to $10,000 for the principal applicant, depending on the firm, the city and complexity. Dependents are typically $500 to $1,500 each. Change of status with a request for evidence, or a case involving a business acquisition with seller financing and escrow, sits at the top of the range. Lawyers do not generally include the business plan in this fee. Our guide on choosing an E-2 lawyer explains what is and is not included.

Business plan. A professionally written E-2 business plan costs $2,500 to $8,000 in 2026. The price reflects the depth of market research, the financial model and how much the writer engages with your actual business rather than filling in a template. See how much an E-2 business plan costs and our business plan service.

Business consulting and acquisition advisory. If you are buying a business, expect due diligence, valuation and deal structuring costs. Brokers charge the seller, but independent buyer-side advisory such as our investments practice is paid by you and typically ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on deal size.

Accountant. Entity setup with a CPA, initial bookkeeping and the first tax filing usually run $1,500 to $4,000 in the first year.

Business formation and operating costs

These are part of the investment rather than additional cost, but they must be cash you actually have:

• State LLC or corporation filing: $50 to $500 depending on the state.
• Registered agent: $100 to $300 per year.
• Business licenses and permits: varies by industry, from under $100 to several thousand for regulated sectors.
• Bank account minimums and initial deposit.
• Lease deposit, typically one to three months of rent.
• Insurance: general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto as applicable.

Dependents

Each dependent pays the $315 visa fee and, where applicable, the reciprocity fee. Attorney fees for dependents are usually modest because the filings are simple. Since 2021 an E-2 spouse is work-authorized on admission and no longer needs to file Form I-765 for an employment authorization document, which removed a $520 fee and a months-long wait.

Renewal costs

Renewing at a consulate repeats the visa fee and, typically, a reduced attorney fee of $2,500 to $5,000 for an updated package. Extending through USCIS repeats the I-129 fees. A modest update to the business plan is often needed to show actual performance versus projections.

Sample budgets

Single applicant, consular processing, service business startup

Item	Cost
Visa application fee	$315
Attorney flat fee	$5,500
Business plan	$3,500
CPA and formation	$2,000
Total professional and government	about $11,300

Family of four, change of status in the U.S. with premium processing, business acquisition

Item	Cost
I-129 fee plus Asylum Program Fee	$1,615
Premium processing	$2,805
I-539 for spouse and children	$470 plus biometrics if required
Attorney flat fee incl. dependents	$9,500
Business plan	$5,000
Buyer-side due diligence and valuation	$12,000
CPA and formation	$3,000
Total professional and government	about $34,400

Where not to save

Investors who try to cut costs almost always do it in the same two places: the business plan and the business selection. A $500 template plan that leads to a 221(g) costs months and often a second attorney fee. A business chosen because it was cheap rather than because it fits the marginality test costs the entire case. Government fees are fixed; spend the flexible money on the parts of the file the officer actually reads.

If you want a realistic budget for your specific case, including whether you should apply at a consulate or change status inside the U.S., send us your situation and we will lay out the numbers.