Can I get an E-2 visa by buying a rental property in Naples?

Generally no. Passively owning a rental condominium or home is treated as a passive investment that does not support an E-2, which requires a real, active, operating business. However, building a service business around real estate, such as a property-management, construction, or concierge company with employees and customers, can qualify when the investment is substantial and the enterprise is not marginal.

What counts as a substantial investment for a Southwest Florida business?

There is no fixed dollar figure in the regulations. The government compares your committed, at-risk investment to the total cost of buying or establishing a business of that type. A smaller service business may require a relatively higher percentage of capital, while a costlier enterprise can qualify with a lower percentage. The key is that the funds are genuinely committed and the business is real.

I am a snowbird on a visitor visa. Can I just keep extending my stays?

Visitor status is meant for temporary visits and does not allow employment, active management of a U.S. business, or residence. Repeatedly maximizing your time and treating Florida as your real home can create problems at the border and undermine future applications. If Southwest Florida has become the center of your life, it is worth evaluating E-2, family-based, or EB-5 pathways instead.

How do I keep my green card if I spend long periods abroad each year?

Long or repeated absences can lead an officer to question whether you have abandoned your U.S. residence. A re-entry permit, filed on Form I-131 before you travel, can help a permanent resident remain abroad for up to two years without the same presumption, and maintaining Florida ties such as a home, tax filings, and a driver license supports your case. Plan the strategy before you leave.

Should I choose E-2 or EB-5 if I want to live in Naples or Fort Myers?

It depends on your capital and goals. The E-2 is lower in cost and faster to start but is a renewable nonimmigrant visa that does not directly grant a green card. EB-5 requires a larger investment and a longer timeline but is aimed directly at permanent residence. Many investors start with one and revisit the other as their plans evolve; a strategy session helps you decide.

How much is the initial consultation?

The initial consultation is a paid strategy session: two hundred dollars for twenty minutes, and that fee is credited toward your matter if you retain our firm. To schedule, call (305) 315-3425, email fitenkolaw@gmail.com, or use our contact page. We assist Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking investors and families across Naples, Fort Myers, and Southwest Florida.

The 2026 Guide to E-2 Investor and Family Immigration for Naples and Fort Myers

E-2 for operating SW Florida businesses plus family green cards for snowbirds. Attorney Ekaterina Fitenko. Call (305) 315-3425 to book a paid strategy session.

Fitenko Law PLLC, 600 Three Islands Blvd, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Phone: (305) 315-3425. Email: fitenkolaw@gmail.com