Read the general investor planning overview
A commercial lease can combine free rent, tenant-funded improvements and later reimbursement. For a Russell investor, those terms should be described according to who actually commits money and bears risk. A single incentive figure can hide materially different arrangements.
Reconcile the lease with the invoices
Identify which work the landlord performs and which the tenant funds. Track receipts, reimbursement conditions and ownership of the improvements. Do not count both a gross expenditure and the same reimbursement as separate applicant contributions.
Review the investment framework
Establish substantial qualifying at-risk capital, lawful source and path, relevant treaty nationality with at least 50% enterprise ownership by treaty-country nationals, and development and direction. E-2 has no universal dollar floor. The business must satisfy nonmarginality through more than minimal living support or significant economic contribution under the applicable standard.
Plan for commercial conditions that remain open
Record inspection, approval and payment milestones without declaring future reimbursements received. Review financing and security terms on their actual facts. A lease incentive does not guarantee profitability, visa approval or a date when the applicant may begin US operations. The investor needs relevant treaty nationality and development-and-direction authority, with at least 50% relevant national enterprise ownership, substantial lawful capital committed at risk and intent to depart when E status ends. There is no universal E-2 minimum; enterprise-asset-secured borrowing does not qualify on that basis.
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.