Sort spending into three ledgers: business expenditure on the U.S. enterprise, immigration-preparation costs, and household expenses. Their treatment is not identical and should be reviewed on the actual facts rather than assumed. Government fees change, so confirm current amounts at the step where each is payable rather than budgeting from old figures.
Attach invoices to restart costs, and read the contracts
Restart spending — deep cleaning, re-permitting, replacement stock, rehiring — belongs in the business ledger with invoices attached. Where money sits in escrow or under a contract with revocation or refund conditions, the effect on committed, at-risk capital depends on the specific wording and needs legal review; refundable deposits are not automatically qualifying or automatically excluded. Any operating reserve you carry is a planning choice illustrated by your own numbers, not a fixed legal amount.
The E-2 investment is the total of funds placed at risk in the enterprise. The consular application fee, professional fees for the immigration file, U.S. corporate formation and accounting setup, translations, and the cost of any escrow arrangement. Distinguish commercial obligations from government and professional application costs, verifying official charges currently. Assess actual payments and commitments and avoid double counting amounts included elsewhere in the package.