Is my bank statement sufficient proof of the source of funds for the E-2 visa?

The E-2 visa is a great visa for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the United States. E-2 investors must make a substantial investment to start up or purchase the business in the U.S. As part of this requirement, the E-2 investor must explain the source of the investment funds and demonstrate that the funds were obtained from a legitimate source and were not obtained through any illegal or criminal activities.

A common question we receive from clients is whether their bank statements alone will suffice to show the source of the money. The answer is no. The bank statement will need to be accompanied by an explanation and supporting documents that demonstrate where the funds in the bank account came from. For example, if the money in the bank account came from personal savings from employment, the applicant would provide 2-3 years of personal tax returns showing their income. If the money came from a sale of property, the applicant would provide the Purchase Sale Agreement for the property and proof of the money from the sale entering their bank account.

After the applicant has explained the source of the money, the bank statement can be used to show the trail of the funds by showing the transfer of money from the applicant’s personal accounts to the E-2 business bank account.