The landscape of U.S. immigration is shifting once again. With Donald Trump back in office for a second term, investors and entrepreneurs worldwide are closely watching for signs of change. The question isn’t whether immigration policies will tighten—history suggests they will—but rather how these changes will affect those looking to invest and build businesses in the United States. Amid these discussions, Trump on E-2 visa policies has become a key concern for foreign investors seeking clarity on whether this pathway will remain accessible or face new restrictions.

For foreign investors, one visa stands out: the E-2 visa, a pathway that allows individuals from treaty countries to establish and run businesses in the U.S. Unlike other employment-based visas, it doesn’t have a numerical cap, making it an attractive option for those willing to bring capital and create jobs.

But will Trump’s stricter immigration stance make the E-2 visa harder to obtain? Or will his pro-business outlook keep the pathway open for serious investors? In a recent discussion, Patrick Findaro, co-founder of Visa Franchise, and Aladdin Kilic, Senior Manager of Marketing & Business Development, examined these very questions, weighing historical approval rates, investor trends, and potential policy shifts.

Their analysis offers critical insights for entrepreneurs considering the E-2 visa in 2025. With immigration rhetoric intensifying, it’s essential to separate speculation from reality.

Trump on E-2 Visa: What Investors Need to Know in 2025

How Did Trump’s First Term Go? – U.S. Immigration

Trump’s first presidency (2017-2021) set the foundation for his current approach to immigration. His administration prioritized border security, enforcement, and employment-based visa reforms, shaping the policies that continue to influence visa applicants today.

One of the most significant actions was Executive Order 13788, known as “Buy American and Hire American,” signed on April 18, 2017. This order was designed to:

• Increase wages and job opportunities for U.S. workers by ensuring federal procurement favored American-made goods.
• Reform employment-based visa programs—particularly the H-1B visa—to prevent the displacement of U.S. workers. (Source: Federal Register)

Another major policy shift was Trump’s push for a merit-based immigration system. His administration sought to prioritize immigrants based on skills, education, and economic contributions rather than family sponsorship. During a 2019 speech, Trump argued that the current system failed to retain top global talent, stating:

“Under the senseless rules of the current system, we’re not able to give preference to a doctor, a researcher, a student who graduated number one in his class from the finest colleges in the world — anybody. We’re not able to take care of it. We’re not able to make those incredible breakthroughs. If somebody graduates top of their class from the best college, sorry, go back to your country. We want to keep them here.”

(Source: Trump White House Archives)

While many of these policies were aimed at tightening immigration controls, investor visas such as the E-2 remained largely unaffected. The administration’s focus was on preventing visa fraud and ensuring that immigration aligned with U.S. economic interests. This distinction is important as Trump’s second term unfolds—investors can expect continued scrutiny but not outright policy changes that would block business-friendly visas.

Trump’s Immigration Stance and the E-2 Visa

Donald Trump has never shied away from strong opinions on immigration. His policies have consistently focused on tightening border security and restricting pathways to permanent residency. However, not all immigration is treated the same way under his administration. While there has been a crackdown on unauthorized entry and certain visa categories, investor visas like the E-2 remain largely unaffected.

As Aladdin Kilic noted in the discussion, “Trump loves immigration, right? But he doesn’t like illegal immigration.” This distinction is key. Trump’s rhetoric has always emphasized controlling the flow of undocumented immigrants, rather than completely shutting down legal avenues for foreign nationals who contribute to the U.S. economy.

For now, Trump’s stance appears to be consistent with his previous term: support business-friendly immigration, but ensure stricter checks during the application process.

Trump on E-2 Visa: Approvals During First Term

During Trump’s first term (2017-2020), E-2 visa approvals remained strong, with numbers consistently ranging between 41,000 and 43,000 from 2017 to 2019. This stability highlights that, despite broader immigration restrictions, investor visas like the E-2 were not significantly impacted. However, in 2020, approvals dropped sharply to 23,493, a decline largely attributed to COVID-19-related disruptions, including consulate closures, travel restrictions, and global economic uncertainty rather than policy changes.

Looking at these trends, the data suggests that the E-2 visa has remained a viable pathway for foreign investors, even under stricter immigration policies. Now, let’s dive into what the future may hold for E-2 visa applicants.

E-2 Visa Approval Trends Under Trump’s Second Term

Investor visas remain a critical component of U.S. immigration policy. As we just discussed, the E-2 visa has consistently maintained high approval rates, even during periods of political uncertainty.

Patrick Findaro addressed this directly, stating, “The applications are going to go up, and the approval rate should be kind of the same.” His point underscores an important reality—while broader immigration policies may tighten, investor visas remain largely untouched in terms of outright rejections.

One reason for this stability is that the E-2 visa doesn’t provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. Unlike green cards, which have been subject to increased scrutiny, the E-2 remains a temporary, renewable visa, making it less of a political target.

Additionally, Findaro pointed out that approval rates have been consistently strong, emphasizing that highly skilled professionals and STEM-related investments are still viewed favorably. He noted, “Investors, top talent—especially if it’s anything STEM-related—I think are going to continue to be approved at a very high rate.”

The composition of Trump’s cabinet could also play a role in shaping investor visa policies. Findaro noted that “there are a lot of immigrants now that are in Trump’s ear, or you know, first-generation immigrants, second-generation immigrants that are part of his cabinet now.” These advisors may influence policies to ensure that business-friendly immigration remains a priority, even as other visa categories face more restrictions.

Beyond approval rates, another trend to watch is the expected increase in E-2 visa applications. Given economic uncertainties in many parts of the world, more investors are looking at the U.S. as a stable place to establish businesses. Findaro suggested that interest in the visa will likely grow, reinforcing the idea that demand for U.S. investor visas remains strong.

What the E-2 Numbers Show

As we examined the latest data, one trend stands out—E-2 visa approval rates have remained consistently high, even as U.S. immigration policies shift. Despite ongoing political debates, foreign investors continue to secure approvals at strong rates, reinforcing the idea that the U.S. values business-driven immigration.

Patrick Findaro highlighted this in the discussion, stating, “The approval rates are high, it’s been around 90% over the past few years… I think it’s going to continue to stay high.”

The numbers confirm this. In FY 2024, the E-2 visa approval rate stood at 90%, with 55,324 approvals, following similar strong trends in previous years:

• FY 2023: 91% approval rate (52,308 approvals)
• FY 2022: 90% approval rate (45,878 approvals)
• FY 2021: 93% approval rate (33,129 approvals)
• FY 2020: 88% approval rate (23,493 approvals)

One key reason for this stability is the clear economic benefits that investor visas bring to the U.S. Aladdin Kilic raised an important point in the discussion, asking, “Why don’t we facilitate investors and entrepreneurs and top professionals and talent coming to the U.S. and then impose certain implications on the illegal side of things?” 

This reflects a broader reality—business-driven immigration is widely accepted across political lines, even as other visa categories face tighter restrictions.

Green Card Challenges for E-2 Visa Holders

For many E-2 visa holders, securing long-term status in the U.S. is the ultimate goal. However, one of the biggest limitations of this visa is that it does not directly lead to a green card. While investors can renew their E-2 status indefinitely as long as their business remains active, transitioning to permanent residency is a far more complex process under the current immigration climate.

One major hurdle is the increased scrutiny on green card applications. As Patrick Findaro pointed out, “The pressure is higher on the green card because that leads to citizenship.” Unlike the E-2, which is temporary, a green card grants permanent residency—a status that the Trump administration has historically sought to restrict.

At the same time, Trump has expressed support for attracting highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs who contribute to the U.S. economy. In a past statement, he noted, “I want talented people to come into this country — to work hard and to become citizens. Silicon Valley needs engineers, etc.” This aligns with the broader discussion of merit-based immigration, where business owners and skilled professionals are seen as valuable contributors to the nation’s growth.

For investors hoping to adjust their status, two common pathways exist:

1. Employment-Based Green Cards (EB-2/EB-3) – Some E-2 visa holders seek sponsorship from a U.S. employer, but this process requires demonstrating that an American worker could not have filled the role.
2. EB-5 Investor Green Card – This option allows foreign investors to apply for permanent residency if they invest a minimum of $800,000 to $1,050,000 and create at least 10 full-time jobs. However, processing backlogs and stricter oversight make this a challenging route.

Another potential obstacle is the requirement to prove long-term economic contribution. An individual secures an E-2 visa by investing in a business, but obtaining a green card often requires proving their long-term economic benefit to the U.S.

So, if all roads lead to Rome, does the path to the U.S. still lead through the E-2 visa? If history is any indication, the answer is yes.

Conclusion: Is Now the Right Time to Make the Move?

The U.S. remains one of the strongest economies in the world, offering a thriving market for investors, a robust franchising industry, and a business-friendly environment for those who know how to navigate the system. For decades, the E-2 visa has provided a way for entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses in the U.S., create jobs, and contribute to the economy—and that opportunity is still here.

As we’ve seen before, even during Trump’s first term, E-2 visa approval rates remained high, ranging between 87% and 93%. Despite changes in immigration policies, investor visas have consistently retained strong approval rates, with no clear evidence that this will change under his second term. Discussions around Trump on E-2 visa policies suggest that while stricter enforcement may be implemented in some areas, business investors are still positioned favorably.

Yes, immigration policies may tighten in certain areas, but for foreign investors, the opportunity remains. E-2 visa demand will likely increase, so applying sooner rather than later makes smart business sense. While the process might require more documentation and patience, those who present a strong business case and meet the criteria should continue to see approvals at a steady rate.

So, the real question is: Will you take the opportunity now while the conditions remain favorable, or will you wait and risk potential changes that could make the process more challenging?