Read the general investor planning overview
A Sables-Spanish Rivers buyer should not simply attach the seller’s accounts when the agreement transfers only selected assets. Identify the operations the buyer will actually control and the resources available to support them.
Read inclusions and exclusions together
List equipment, contracts, receivables, inventory and other rights actually transferred. Confirm the buyer entity, the applicant’s treaty nationality and at least 50% relevant treaty-country national ownership, then establish development and direction. Buying a trade name does not automatically acquire the seller’s company or its complete operating history.
Reconcile qualifying capital with the real transaction
Trace lawful source and path and the funds committed at risk. Substantiality is proportional to the actual enterprise cost, with no universal minimum. Enterprise-asset-secured borrowing is not qualifying investment; personal financing needs review of its actual terms. A qualifying visa-contingent escrow or investment-in-process arrangement may be possible, but an unrestricted reservation and a committed transaction are not equivalent.
Test the business the buyer can operate
Nonmarginality requires capacity beyond minimal household living or the applicable significant economic contribution, with future capacity generally realizable within five years of normal activity. E-2 has no ten-job quota. Explain how excluded receivables or contracts affect working capital and forecasts. The investor must intend to depart when E status ends, and Canadians generally need an E visa. Acquiring title is not permission to begin 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.