Use the actual payment conditions and keep business cash-flow needs separate from immigration fees and personal living expenses.
Model the reimbursement gap honestly
If payment follows inspection or proof of tenant spending, record that dependency. An expected allowance is not necessarily cash available for the next contractor invoice.
Build three cash-flow columns: investor money committed, landlord amounts receivable only after conditions, and household reserves. Add the inspection, invoicing, and reimbursement dates from the lease, then model a delayed or denied allowance. Do not use expected reimbursement twice—once to reduce the investment cost and again to pay the next invoice. E-2 substantiality is proportional to the enterprise rather than a fixed dollar minimum; qualifying capital must remain at risk, and the investing process may still be underway. Both the applicant and enterprise need treaty nationality, with Canadian citizenship—not permanent residence—supporting a Canadian claim and at least 50% treaty-national ownership. The investor must develop and direct, ordinarily established through at least 50% ownership, operational control, or other means. Keep government, advisory and moving expenses separate without quoting filing-fee amounts.
Hypothetical example: A Russell specialty coffee roaster plans a U.S. production shop whose landlord allowance is payable after final inspection. Before committing household savings to rent, the investor should obtain the reimbursement conditions, cancellation exposure, and a realistic operating budget that works if inspection slips. A new business may qualify before opening if it will become real, active, and nonmarginal. E-2 has no direct permanent-residence route, so a household forecast should not assume one.