E-2 Visa Case Study: Tech Investor from New Zealand Approved in Under Two Months 

New Zealand

Tech Investor (AI & Analytics) 

Colombo & Hurd secured approval of a new E-2 Treaty Investor visa for a tech investor from New Zealand who works in algorithmic trading and AI analytics. The E-2 visa was approved through consular processing in under two months. 

Investment Funds, such as quantitative hedge funds and asset management firms, increasingly rely on data, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics to guide their decisions. A company that builds this type of technology can grow into a strong U.S. enterprise. To support an E-2 visa, however, the company must show more than potential. The company needs real investment, active operations, and a credible path to growth. 

Our client first received E-2 status in 2020 and began building an analytics company in the United States. Over time, the business evolved: a new investor joined, and the company shifted its focus to algorithmic trading and AI-driven predictions. Because the original business plan no longer matched this new direction, the right path forward was a fresh E-2 application rather than an extension of the existing one. Immigration Attorney Hugo Rojas built that new application around the updated business and guided the client to approval.  

E-2
Client Profile

Two Decades in Quantitative Analytics and Predictive Technology 

Our client has more than twenty years of experience building financial technology, including trading systems and analytics tools used by investment firms. Early in his career, the client worked in derivatives, handling pricing, structuring, and risk analysis for corporate and institutional clients. That work built a strong foundation in financial markets.  

He went on to found and lead several companies in forecasting and predictive analytics, and also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

The company’s core technology began as an internal research effort the client led personally. That work produced the quantitative models and algorithms that became a commercial platform. Today, the platform serves investment funds and institutional clients. The platform gives users AI-driven probability scores, risk management tools, and analytics for evaluating investment strategies inside the systems they already use. 

The company also owns its technology outright. The source code, predictive models, and related intellectual property were transferred fully and irrevocably to the U.S. entity. As a result, the business did not depend on outside licenses to operate or grow. 

The Challenge

Building a New E-2 Case Around a Changed Business

With the business plan now updated, the team’s task was to build a new application that reflected the company’s evolution while preserving its E-2 eligibility. 

As Attorney Rojas explained: “When market conditions changed, the company’s E-2 path changed too. The case needed to show that the business could restructure, bring in a new investor, and still meet the E-2 requirements.” 

The petition had to explain the updated business clearly while preserving the company’s treaty eligibility. Because E-2 status requires majority ownership (at least 51 percent) by nationals of the treaty country, the team confirmed the new ownership structure still met that threshold. The legal team also documented that the investment funds were genuinely committed to the business, exposed to financial risk if the business failed, and obtained through lawful means, all requirements for E-2 eligibility. 

The updated business plan reflected a company that was still growing and could employ people beyond the investor himself, with a credible path toward broader revenue, operations, and hiring. 

The Strategic Approach

Translating Experience Into a New Plan

The client brought two decades of experience in financial technology and a track record of building companies in this space, which strengthened the credibility of the new business plan. The business plan was the centerpiece of the case. The plan explained how the investment would support product development, operations, client work, and future hiring. Because the company was still in its early stages, the petition needed to show a real business model supported by committed funds and credible growth projections.

As Attorney Rojas explained: “The goal was to protect the required New Zealand ownership and present a stronger business plan centered on AI and predictive analytics. This was not just about preserving E-2 status. It was about showing that the company had become stronger, clearer, and better positioned for growth.”

The Result

E-2 Visa Approved for a New Zealand Investor in Under Two Months

The U.S. consulate approved the new E-2 visa in under two months, with no Request for Evidence. The client can direct daily operations, carry out the business plan, and work toward the growth the petition laid out.

Why This Case Succeeded

Real Ownership, Committed Capital, and the Right Background

The business met the core E-2 requirements, and the petition presented clear evidence of each one.

The company had treaty-country ownership. The investment was committed and documented. The business had active operations and a plan to grow beyond supporting only the investor. The client also had the professional background needed to lead the enterprise. Most importantly, the petition connected every legal requirement to evidence.

Case Overview
Category  Details 
Visa Classification  E-2 Treaty Investor Visa (new visa) 
Nationality  New Zealand 
Professional Field  Tech Investor (AI & Analytics) 
Education  Master of Business Administration (MBA) 
Request for Evidence (RFE)  No 
Processing  Consular processing 
Processing Timeline  Under two months 
Final Outcome  Approved 
Approval date  April 1, 2026 
Lead Attorney  Hugo Rojas 

 

Attorney Perspective

Hugo Rojas

Immigration Attorney

“Most people think an E-2 has to be a restaurant or a franchise, something with predictable income. But with the right legal team, you can build a winning case around almost any business. What matters is showing the investment is real and that there’s a genuine plan to grow it.

This case was handled by Immigration Attorney Hugo Rojas of Colombo & Hurd, a U.S. immigration law firm that handles employment and investment-based visas, including the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, EB-2 NIW, and EB-1A. The firm has secured over 10,000 successful visa and green card approvals for clients from more than 100 countries.