Read the general investor planning overview
A Delson investor may describe a planned salary as evidence that the enterprise will support the household. Explain the business’s actual capacity and investment separately; a proposed payroll amount is not cash already committed to the enterprise. Build a source-and-use ledger before treating a forecast as an investment record. A first review separates money already exposed to business loss from funds that remain available only because the investor can withdraw them. Hypothetical example: An investor buys a commercial composting-equipment distributor and leaves half of the purchase price in an account that the investor alone can release. The decision is whether to change the payment structure or defer the filing; the signed purchase agreement, escrow terms, wire confirmation and cancellation consequences show whether the funds have genuinely been committed. For E-2, the capital must have been committed irrevocably, must remain at risk, and the enterprise cannot be marginal. A hoped-for salary, a supplier quotation or a business-plan total cannot cure a missing commitment.
Distinguish investment from future compensation
Trace the lawful funds actually committed at risk and the real business resources acquired. A projected salary does not automatically increase invested capital. Keep money reserved for personal living expenses separate from the enterprise’s investment evidence. Match each transfer to a contract, invoice or asset. A bank balance alone does not show what the enterprise owns or which amount bears commercial risk.
Explain the enterprise’s capacity credibly
The business must be real and nonmarginal, with a substantial investment assessed in context rather than a universal fixed minimum. Support the actual operations and projections. A salary written into a plan does not by itself establish the required economic capacity. Test projections against the signed premises, staffing and sales assumptions. The practical decision is whether the plan reflects operations that can actually begin.
Retain nationality and direction requirements
Establish treaty nationality, qualifying ownership and the principal’s development and direction of the enterprise. Do not assume payroll registration or the ability to issue a cheque authorizes the investor to work before the applicable permission is established. Record who has authority to direct the enterprise after admission. Ownership documents and operating agreements should describe the same real decision-making arrangement.
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: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.