There is no universal reserve figure that makes an E-2 investment sufficient. Build a credible operating budget for the actual business, including payroll, rent, insurance and expected receipts. Working capital is not categorically excluded from the analysis, but a balance available for personal withdrawal does not automatically establish committed investment.
Keep three totals distinct
List the purchase consideration, operating resources and household living budget separately. Review whether transaction costs and financing obligations reduce the money actually available to operate. Professional and government fees also need their own budget. An immigration eligibility review does not value the business or guarantee that its revenue will cover the earn-out.
Preparation expenses, legal advice, translations, licensing applications, government charges, are not the investment, and current official fees should be confirmed for whichever step applies at the time. Substantiality is proportional to the total cost of acquiring the enterprise, so a business with land and buildings requires a correspondingly large commitment, and only capital genuinely at risk counts toward it. Check current government amounts at the time of filing rather than relying on a figure heard from another applicant, and confirm which route applies, since the consular process and a change of status filed from inside the United States are different procedures with different charges.