Read the general investor planning overview
A startup budget can mix paid expenses, binding commitments and cancellable plans. For E-2, label those stages accurately and retain the terms showing whether capital is actually committed and at risk.
Build the register from agreements, not estimates
For each supplier or premises item, list the amount, recipient, payment date, refund rights and conditions remaining. A quote is useful planning information but is not itself proof of investment. Explain differences between ordered, delivered and paid items without assuming that every line of the business plan qualifies as committed capital.
Check the source and the enterprise together
Trace lawful funds and financing terms. Enterprise-asset-secured debt is excluded from qualifying investment; personally secured or unsecured borrowing requires its own assessment. The investor must meet treaty-nationality and development-and-direction requirements, and the real enterprise must be nonmarginal. There is no universal dollar minimum that makes every startup substantial regardless of its cost and nature. At least 50% enterprise ownership must have the relevant treaty-country nationality. Nonmarginality means capacity beyond minimal household living or the applicable significant economic contribution, with future capacity generally realizable within five years of normal activity.
Keep setup activity separate from payment
Review any visa-contingent escrow on its actual terms; it can differ from an unrestricted refundable reservation. Identify who will install equipment, meet customers or perform other US tasks and what permission supports those activities. A business can incur contractual obligations before the investor has authorization to work there, so the two calendars need deliberate coordination. The applicant must intend to depart when E status ends; Canadian citizens generally need an E visa before relying on this route for US work.
What else is on your mind?
Is there one minimum investment that guarantees E-2 eligibility?Is holding money or owning an asset enough for E-2?Editorial source review: 2026-09-08. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.