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

Government fees for an E-2 visa are small: $315 per person at a U.S. consulate, or about $1,280 for a family changing status inside the U.S. TealBridge business consulting costs about $2,000 and a business plan $1,500 to $2,500. The legal fee of an immigration attorney is usually $10,000 and above. In total, a family should budget from about $15,000 on top of the investment.

The investment is the headline number in an E-2 case, but it is not the whole bill. This guide lists every cost we see in a typical case, separates fixed government fees from variable professional fees, and gives a sample budget for a family of four. Government fees below are current as of October 2026; always check the official fee pages before you pay.

What are the government fees for an E-2 visa?

There are two ways to get E-2 status. You either apply for the visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, or, if you are already in the U.S. legally, the business files a change of status with USCIS. The fees are different.

Route 1: Applying at a U.S. consulate

Fee	Amount
MRV visa application fee	$315 per person (investor, spouse and each child)

The fee is paid before the interview and is not refunded if the visa is refused. Citizens of some countries also pay a reciprocity fee after approval. Check the reciprocity table for your country on travel.state.gov.

Route 2: Changing status inside the U.S. (USCIS)

Fee	Amount
Form I-129 (the petition filed by your business)	$510
Asylum Program Fee (paid with every I-129)	$300
Premium processing (optional, USCIS acts within 15 business days)	$2,965
Form I-539 (for spouse and children)	$470

The I-129 and Asylum Program Fee amounts above are the reduced rates for small businesses with 25 or fewer full-time employees. Most new E-2 businesses qualify. Larger companies pay $1,015 for the I-129 and $600 for the Asylum Program Fee.

A change of status gives you E-2 status, but not a visa in your passport. The first time you travel abroad, you will need to apply at a consulate and pay the $315 fee per person.

Government fees are current as of October 2026 and can change. Check the official USCIS and State Department fee pages before you pay.

How much do the attorney and TealBridge services cost?

Professional fees are the largest part of the cost, apart from the investment itself.

Service	Cost
Legal fee (immigration attorney)	Minimum $10,000 and above
TealBridge business consulting	About $2,000 on average
TealBridge business plan	$1,500 to $2,500

You receive a fixed quote after the initial consultation. The legal fee is paid to your immigration attorney, who you engage directly under their own agreement. The final amount depends on the attorney and the complexity of the case. TealBridge fees cover business consulting and the business plan only.

Our guide on working with an E-2 lawyer versus a consultant explains what each typically covers. For the plan itself, see our business plan service.

What other costs should I budget for?

Company formation. State LLC or corporation filing fees range from about $50 to $500 depending on the state, plus $100 to $300 a year for a registered agent. The IRS does not charge for an EIN. Our guide to choosing an LLC or corporation for an E-2 covers the structure.

Licenses, permits and insurance. From under $100 for a simple business license to several thousand dollars in regulated sectors such as food service or transportation.

Translations and document certification. Foreign-language documents usually need certified English translations. Depending on volume and language, this typically ranges from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.

Travel. Since September 6, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants generally must apply in their country of nationality or legal residence, and in-person interviews are the norm. Budget for the trip to the consulate and for any earlier trips to the U.S. to sign a lease or meet a seller.

The investment itself. This is the largest cost by far, and there is no legal minimum. See the E-2 visa minimum investment guide and test your numbers with the E-2 investment calculator.

How much does an E-2 visa cost for a family of four?

Example for an investor, spouse and two children: government fees, legal fee and TealBridge fees. The investment itself and travel are not included.

Item	At a U.S. consulate	Change of status (USCIS)
Government fees	$1,260 (4 x $315)	$1,280 ($4,245 with premium processing)
Legal fee (immigration attorney)	From $10,000	From $10,000
Business consulting	$2,000	$2,000
Business plan	$1,500 to $2,500	$1,500 to $2,500
Total, excluding investment and travel	From about $15,000	From about $15,000 (about $18,000 with premium processing)

Other costs, such as company registration, licenses, translations and accounting, depend on the state and the business. See “What other costs should I budget for?” above.

What does it cost to renew an E-2?

Renewal repeats the government fees for the route you use: $315 per applicant at a consulate, or the I-129 and Asylum Program Fee for a USCIS extension. Attorney fees for a renewal are typically lower than for the first case, and the business plan is usually replaced by evidence of actual performance. See E-2 visa renewal.

Where should I not cut costs?

Government fees are fixed. The flexible money is in the business plan and the choice of business, and those are the two places where savings most often backfire. A template plan that does not match your bank records can lead to a 221(g) request, months of delay and a second attorney fee. A business chosen because it was cheap, rather than because it can grow beyond a minimal living, can sink the case entirely.

Next steps

For a budget tailored to your nationality, family size and filing route, request a consultation. We build the business, prepare the business plan and organize the investment evidence; your independent immigration attorney prepares and files the application.