Do not assume every preparation expense qualifies as capital.
Identify the actual payment purposes
Assess qualifying commitment separately from professional and administrative costs. Translation charges do not create a universal E-2 minimum or establish business capacity.
Payments irrevocably committed to the enterprise: the territory fee once non-refundable, the location lease and fit-out, software and equipment, non-refundable deposits and working capital placed in the business. Independent due diligence, legal and accounting work, the government charges in the published schedules, and enough working capital to trade through a first season after closing. Watch the direction of the money too: withdrawing enterprise funds to cover Canadian living costs during the wait can weaken the picture of capital committed and at risk. Substantiality is measured in proportion to the total cost of purchasing or creating this type of enterprise, so a service business with modest capital needs is judged against that cost rather than against a general figure.