The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCI) defines an E-2 investment as the investor’s placing of capital, including funds and other assets, at risk in the commercial sense with the objective of generating a profit.

The USCIS considers a bona fide enterprise is one that is a real, active commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking which produces services or goods for profit. The enterprise cannot be an idle investment held for potential appreciation in value, such as undeveloped land or stocks held by an investor who has no intent to direct the enterprise that will not generate more than enough income to provide a minimal living for you and your family or to make a significant economic contribution.