Funds must be committed before the interview, but closing can be made conditional on visa issuance through escrow. That protects the buyer if the visa is refused without leaving the investment uncommitted.
Escrow bridges the commitment and the risk
Hypothetical example: a Quispamsis physiotherapist does not want to own a U.S. clinic she cannot legally operate, but the consulate will not treat uncommitted funds as an investment. The usual solution is an escrow arrangement in which the purchase price is deposited with release conditioned solely on E-2 visa issuance, and the purchase agreement is otherwise fully executed. That is treated as irrevocable commitment because the buyer cannot simply walk away. Other steps, such as the lease assignment, franchise approval of the transfer and state licensure, can be completed in parallel. The seller should be told the timetable depends on consular scheduling and adjudication, which vary. The investor should not begin working in the clinic, even unpaid, before admission in E-2 status.
The order that works is to amend the terms, obtain the counter-signed amendment, release or restructure the escrow, collect the supplier's confirmation of what is now fixed, and only then assemble the evidence pack.