Read the general investor planning overview
E-2 measures the funds actually committed and at risk against the cost of the specific enterprise. Money spent on equipment, a signed lease with deposits, inventory and an escrowed purchase price counts; money sitting in reserve does not, and loans secured on the business itself are not the investor's capital. A Boischatel cabinetmaker buying a small U.S. millwork shop should structure the purchase so the committed amount is visible in bank records and contracts before applying.
Separate the categories of money before the purchase agreement is signed
Hypothetical example: a Boischatel cabinetmaker plans to buy a two-person architectural millwork shop in upstate New York for a modest price, then spend a similar amount on a CNC router and a year's working capital. For E-2, the purchase price paid into escrow and the router bought outright are committed capital. A working-capital reserve that stays in his account is not yet invested, though the business plan should show it is available. A bank loan secured only on the shop's assets does not count as his investment; a line of credit secured on his Boischatel house does, because his own assets are at risk.
Prove the origin of each category with its own trail
The consulate wants lawful source for every dollar that counts. The cabinetmaker's trail might run from years of business income shown in Québec tax returns and financial statements, to a personal savings account, to the escrow wire; the router purchase from a separate account funded by the sale of equipment in Québec, documented by invoices and deposits; and the home-secured credit line by the loan agreement and the registered hypothec. Each stream is documented on its own, then joined in a summary table. French-language documents need certified translations. A gap of a few thousand dollars between what the records show and what was wired invites a request for evidence.
Show the enterprise is substantial and not marginal with the same numbers
Substantiality is proportional: a high share of the cost of buying and equipping a small shop, paid from the investor's own funds, is substantial. Marginality asks whether the business will produce more than a living for the investor's family, usually shown by a five-year plan with hiring. The cabinetmaker's plan should show the existing two employees retained and additional hires as the CNC capacity is sold, with payroll figures. Canadian ownership must reach at least half, and he must develop and direct the shop himself rather than leave it to a manager. E-2 does not lead to permanent residence, so a long-term intention should be discussed separately.
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.