Deciding to run and operate a business in the United States under the terms and conditions of an E-1 (Trade) or E-2 (Investment) Visa can be very challenging and rewarding. Whether you start one from the ground up “out of nothing”, or whether you partner up with someone in a joint venture, or whether you purchase an existing, already operating, business, the opportunities are there.
Here is the CURRENT 2025 list of the 25 most popular types of E1 and E2 -Visa businesses to consider. Find one you can relate to, or are even already familiar with, and make it your own:
Top 25 E-1 Visa Industries – (by NAICS Subsector)
- Wholesale Trade – Durable Goods (NAICS 423)
- Wholesale Trade – Nondurable Goods (NAICS 424)
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS 541)
- Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45)
- Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33)
- Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52)
- Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48-49)
- Information (NAICS 51)
- Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72)
- Administrative and Support Services (NAICS 561)
- Other Services (except Public Administration) (NAICS 81)
- Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53)
- Construction (NAICS 23)
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (NAICS 71)
- Educational Services (NAICS 61)
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62)
- Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (NAICS 21)
- Utilities (NAICS 22)
- Management of Companies and Enterprises (NAICS 55)
- Public Administration (NAICS 92)
- Waste Management and Remediation Services (NAICS 562)
- Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (NAICS 115)
- Broadcasting (NAICS 515)
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (NAICS 512)
Top 25 E-2 Visa Industries – (by NAICS Subsector)
- Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72)
- Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45)
- Other Services (except Public Administration) (NAICS 81)
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS 541)
- Wholesale Trade – Durable Goods (NAICS 423)
- Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53)
- Construction (NAICS 23)
- Administrative and Support Services (NAICS 561)
- Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62)
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (NAICS 71)
- Educational Services (NAICS 61)
- Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52)
- Information (NAICS 51)
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11)
- Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48-49)
- Utilities (NAICS 22)
- Management of Companies and Enterprises (NAICS 55)
- Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (NAICS 21)
- Public Administration (NAICS 92)
- Broadcasting (NAICS 515)
- Waste Management and Remediation Services (NAICS 562)
- Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (NAICS 115)
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (NAICS 512)
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems (NAICS 2213)
You can also view the previous 2024 Top 25 listing and the previous 2023 Top 25 listing.
Remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and the suitability of a business for an E-2 visa depends on various factors. It’s always recommended to consult with a U.S. immigration attorney who specialises specifically on E-Visas, to assess the viability of your specific business plan and to stay updated on the latest visa requirements and regulations.
Last Revision: 2025-3-24