Short answer
You can buy an existing business. E-2 is not limited to startups. What matters is whether the investment and enterprise meet the E-2 requirements, including substantial investment, lawful source and control of the funds, a real operating business, and your ability to develop and direct it.
Useful link: State Department E-1/E-2 visa overview – the applicant-facing explanation of treaty trader and treaty investor visas.
Official sources and technical references
- U.S. Department of State, Treaty Trader & Treaty Investor Visas
- 9 FAM 402.9, Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors
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