Is the E-2 visa an immigrant visa or a nonimmigrant visa?
I’m asking because I’ve heard that a nonimmigrant visa holder could run into a problem if they pivot toward immigrant intent while applying for a green card. I’d like to know whether the E-2 visa is classified as an immigrant visa or a nonimmigrant visa.
The E-2 visa falls under the nonimmigrant visa category. In practice, though, E-2 is often treated much like an immigrant visa, since it can be extended indefinitely in 2-year or 5-year increments as long as the business keeps operating. But strictly by category, it is a nonimmigrant visa.