Read the general investor planning overview
A Sainte-Julie entrepreneur may prepare a funding sheet that includes customer receipts alongside personal investment. Identify what each transaction represents rather than calling every incoming amount investor capital. A first review should reconcile the funding sheet to bank records, agreements, invoices, and the source-and-path evidence for the investor’s money. The investor must decide which amounts are personally committed capital and which remain business revenue, customer liabilities, loans, or contingent funds before using a total in the E-2 analysis.
Reconcile receipts with the underlying obligation
Identify the payer, recipient, agreement and purpose of each receipt. Hypothetical example: the business receives an advance for a future service. Explain that obligation and the actual funds record rather than presenting the payment as the applicant’s personal contribution without supporting evidence. Hypothetical example: a buyer of an industrial bread-slicing blade repair shop receives a customer deposit before closing. The buyer must decide whether the banked deposit belongs to the operating-business obligation or can be traced as qualifying personal capital; the purchase documents settle the point.
Keep the investment analysis tied to the transaction
E-2 needs substantial lawful investment committed at risk, with source and path established. Enterprise-secured debt is not qualifying capital, and other financing or visa-contingent escrow requires assessment of its actual terms. Classification in a spreadsheet is not a legal conclusion about which funds qualify. Record the date each amount became irrevocably committed and the contractual consequence of withdrawal. Funds must be at risk, and the analysis must be substantial in relation to the enterprise cost; a planned transfer that can be freely recovered may not establish the same commitment.
Explain the enterprise the applicant will direct
Assess the real operating business and its capacity beyond minimal family living or for significant economic contribution. Verify relevant treaty nationality, generally at least 50% relevant treaty-national ownership and actual development and direction through qualifying control. Customer activity can help explain operations without replacing the investment and authority evidence. The investor must decide whether the business is not marginal on the supported present or future record and whether they will develop and direct it through qualifying control. Revenue forecasts help only when they are tied to an operating plan and evidence, not when they substitute for authority or committed funds.
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.