You can use borrowed funds instead of only your own money when applying for an E-2 visa. Immigration services and consulates have relaxed requirements and no longer require property collateral—a contract between the lender and applicant is sufficient.

Acceptable Sources of Financing

For an E-2 visa, you can use not only your own funds but also borrowed money and gifts. Sources can vary: bank loans, personal loans from friends or relatives, even borrowed funds from your own offshore business. Collateral (property or real estate pledges) is no longer required.

A signed contract between the parties is sufficient. If it’s a close relative, it’s often easier to formalize it as a gift—provided both parties understand the money may be returned later. Such personal agreements between lender and applicant are not discussed with immigration services.

Documents for Bank Loans

If funds are borrowed from a bank, providing the loan agreement with the financial institution is sufficient. The consulate will not request additional confirmations of the origin of bank funds—this is evident from the nature of a bank loan.

Documents for Loans from Friends, Relatives, or Your Own Business

When the lender is a private individual, they must prove the source of their funds. The lender provides documents confirming how they obtained the money for the loan.

For example, if a friend lends $50,000:

  • Bank statements are needed confirming the transfer to the applicant’s account
  • The lender shows where the money came from: salary, savings, employment letter
  • Documents from the past few years showing income levels are sufficient (employment letter, tax returns)

If the lender mortgaged real estate and obtained a loan against it, they provide documents for that loan and explain how they use the funds.

In the context of an E-2 visa, this is much simpler than the EB-5 program, where you need to trace the origin of funds from the first dollar earned.

All Other Requirements Remain Unchanged

When using loans, the lender essentially replaces the applicant regarding financial documents and shows all their sources of funds. Everything else—business structure, business plan, business-related documents—remains in the same format as for an applicant with their own funds.

Документы и договоры на столе рядом с ноутбуком в офисной обстановке

When to Consider a Loan

If you’re short a small amount to reach the minimum required E-2 investment size, it makes sense to approach relatives, close friends, or acquaintances. They can either gift the needed amount or provide it as a loan. Both options are provided for in the regulations and are recognized by the consulate if properly documented.