There is no universal sequence. It depends on the contract, the seller's deadlines and how much of the enterprise is already operational. Conditional agreements, escrow terms and revocation rights need fact-specific review, and conflicting obligations should be resolved by counsel before signature rather than after money has moved.
Set milestones instead of one closing date
Fix dates for due diligence, funding transfers, licence applications, lease signature and assembly of the evidence package, and distinguish flexible planning targets from binding contractual or regulatory deadlines. Processing times and approvals cannot be guaranteed, so avoid resignations, relocations or non-refundable commitments that assume a decision by a chosen day. Remember too that a visa's validity period is not the same as the period of stay authorized on admission.
Place the principal’s visa and admission milestones, spouse’s document readiness, any planned resignation and family travel on one calendar. Obtain the final executed documents, update the source-and-path schedule and confirm that the operating enterprise—not an abandoned predecessor—holds the relevant rights. E-2 eligibility does not depend on one letter, but it still requires treaty nationality, qualifying ownership or operational control, capital irrevocably committed and at risk, a substantial investment, and a real enterprise that is not marginal.