Read the general investor planning overview
An acquisition price can include cash, deferred obligations and secured borrowing. An investor should identify those components before assuming the entire price is qualifying E-2 capital.
Read the actual financing structure
Hypothetical example: a seller accepts part of the price over time. Identify the borrower, creditor, collateral and conditions. Enterprise-secured debt is not qualifying investment capital; personally secured or unsecured arrangements need their own lawful-source and security assessment. Adding personal collateral does not make a loan secured by enterprise assets qualifying capital.
Explain investment and commercial commitment
Capital must be lawful, substantial, at risk and sufficiently committed to the actual enterprise. There is no universal dollar minimum. Properly structured visa-contingent escrow can be relevant, while money simply reserved does not automatically establish investment. A financing label does not decide every condition.
Keep the enterprise conditions in view
The investor needs qualifying treaty nationality and development and direction, with generally at least half the enterprise owned by nationals of the relevant treaty country. Explain real operating activity and nonmarginality using the complete costs and capacity, not only a down payment or favorable revenue projection.
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.