Read the general investor planning overview
A Ferland-et-Boilleau investor using contract production should distinguish the enterprise’s actual rights and commitments from assets owned by the manufacturer. A first review should prepare a money trail, signed commercial documents and a division-of-responsibilities chart that distinguishes the enterprise from its supplier. It should answer whether the investor has placed capital under binding terms that create real commercial exposure and will develop and direct the business. The decision is whether the present record supports a real nonmarginal enterprise, not whether the manufacturer appears established.
Explain the commercial division of responsibilities
Identify what the enterprise sells, manages and controls and what the supplier provides. Use genuine contracts and operating evidence. A quotation does not establish committed supply, and access to manufacturing capacity does not automatically make the factory the investor’s property or qualifying contribution. Put the supplier agreement beside customer contracts, order records, premises documents and the enterprise’s own operating plan. That comparison reveals whether the applicant controls a business activity or has only access to another company’s capacity. Hypothetical example: A reusable food-container sanitization service has a supplier’s production estimate but no signed collection contracts. The investor must decide whether to obtain actual commercial commitments before claiming future income or a significant contribution.
Apply the complete investor test
E-2 requires treaty nationality, at least 50% relevant national enterprise ownership, development and direction, and substantial lawful at-risk capital with no universal minimum. The business must be real and nonmarginal under the more-than-minimal-living or applicable significant economic contribution standard. Working capital, supplier commitments and visa-contingent escrow need real-term analysis; enterprise-secured debt differs from qualifying personal financing. Trace the origin, transfer and current commitment of each dollar rather than using a total from the supplier’s budget. Capital exposed to loss in the enterprise has a different character from funds that remain freely retractable or debt secured by enterprise assets. The applicant must also show treaty nationality and qualifying ownership; an impressive supplier does not satisfy either point. Review these issues before a visa-contingent arrangement is presented as completed investment.
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.