Read the general investor planning overview
A Saint-Amable investor may build a U.S. forecast around a major prospective customer. Document what is actually agreed and how the enterprise would operate rather than turning an expected relationship into guaranteed revenue. A first review should separate signed customer commitments from estimates, test cash requirements if that customer does not buy, and identify the payment that is truly committed. Hypothetical example: a commercial-laundry water-recovery business forecasts most first-year revenue from one hotel group whose procurement approval is still pending. The decision is whether the operating plan remains credible without treating a negotiation as revenue already earned.
Distinguish the customer evidence from the assumption
Identify the actual agreement, services, obligations and unresolved terms. Hypothetical example: discussions are advanced but the customer has not committed to the volume in the forecast. Keep the expected volume labeled as an assumption and explain the basis for it instead of presenting it as completed sales. Obtain the customer’s actual contract, purchase order, letter of intent, or correspondence and label its limits. A funding ledger should separately show source, transfer, recipient, and business purpose before the investment decision.
Assess economic capacity without a customer quota
E-2 requires a real operating nonmarginal enterprise with capacity beyond minimal living for the investor and family or for significant economic contribution. There is no universal number of customers that automatically proves or defeats the case. Evaluate the business evidence and substantial investment rather than replacing the analysis with the customer count. Obtain the customer’s actual contract, purchase order, letter of intent, or correspondence and label its limits. A funding ledger should separately show source, transfer, recipient, and business purpose before the investment decision.
Keep funds and control conditions complete
Establish lawful source and path and capital committed at risk. Enterprise-secured debt is not qualifying capital; other loans and properly structured visa-contingent escrow need assessment on their real terms. Relevant treaty nationality, generally at least 50% relevant treaty-national enterprise ownership and development and direction through qualifying control remain required. A customer’s confidence does not establish the investor’s full eligibility. Obtain the customer’s actual contract, purchase order, letter of intent, or correspondence and label its limits. A funding ledger should separately show source, transfer, recipient, and business purpose before the investment decision.
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.