Read the general investor planning overview
A Dunnottar investor may plan several operating stages, but the evidence should identify actual funds, commitments and enterprise facts. E-2 requires qualifying treaty nationality, substantial at-risk investment and development and direction of a real non-marginal enterprise. Future growth alone does not prove present eligibility.
Trace committed funds and future plans separately
Hypothetical example: initial capital funds one operation while a second location remains an idea. Explain lawful source and path and actual obligations. A forecast can describe intentions without establishing that projected money is already invested or irrevocably committed.
Read financing and escrow documents completely
Identify the borrower, all collateral, refund rights and release conditions. Personal-asset-secured or unsecured borrowing may be considered; enterprise-secured borrowing does not count as qualifying E-2 capital. Mixed arrangements require full disclosure and assessment, not a selective summary. Mixing personal collateral with enterprise assets does not make that debt qualifying investment capital.
Assess each meaningful operating change
Explain current cost, control, staffing and the investor’s real role. Substantiality has no universal fixed minimum, and future expansion does not automatically resolve marginality. Review material changes before assuming the original immigration analysis covers a new entity or different activity.
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.