Read the general investor planning overview
A Saanich investor with multiple citizenships should explain the company’s ownership rather than select a passport without considering the enterprise. A sound review matches citizenship proof to ownership and control documents before calling any money E-2 capital. Hypothetical example: a custom climbing-hold manufacturer is 52 percent owned by the applicant’s French sibling and 48 percent by the applicant, who has Canadian and French citizenship. The applicant plans to rely on French nationality and run the company under a signed operating agreement. The decision is whether that agreement grants real operational authority despite the minority interest. Passports, the share register, manager appointment, and operating agreement answer it; a family assurance does not. If the sibling holds exclusive control, the applicant should change the plan rather than describe a passive interest as management.
Map relevant nationality
At least 50% of the enterprise must be owned by nationals of the relevant treaty country. Use actual citizenship and ownership evidence, including the other owners relevant to the analysis. Use the issued ownership position on the filing date. List each direct or indirect holder and citizenship, then reconcile the capitalization table, certificates, register, and formation documents. An option, trust interest, or incomplete transfer may alter the analysis and must be shown.
Read the directing rights
The applicant must develop and direct the enterprise. Identify voting, management and reserved-decision provisions rather than treating a passport as proof of authority. Test control in the operative documents: manager appointment, banking power, material spending, and daily commercial decisions. The proposed role should match those rights. A title or unwritten side arrangement carries little weight.
Complete the capital and business review
Substantial at-risk funds need lawful source and path. There is no universal E-2 minimum. The enterprise must meet nonmarginality through more than minimal living or significant economic contribution, without an EB-5 ten-job quota. Once nationality and authority are settled, trace lawful funds to paid assets, qualified escrow, or enforceable obligations. The enterprise must be real, operating, and nonmarginal. Decide whether the transaction is complete enough to file or still merely a forecast.
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.