Not necessarily. Some qualifying structures involve funds held in escrow or an investment still in process, so it is not accurate to assume every transaction must be fully closed first.
Match the transaction sequence to the applicable procedure
Identify who can adjust closing and release conditions in the agreement, and confirm the correct consular or status process for the applicant before treating either the closing date or a travel date as fixed. Any change in ownership, financing or operations should be reassessed rather than carried forward unchanged.
Map the order of closing conditions, transfer dates, lease obligations, inventory delivery, and the planned start of operations. Do not treat a desired move date as proof that the commercial pieces are ready. Hypothetical example: an indoor-climbing gym purchaser plans to apply before the seller has released the equipment lien or signed the assignment of lease. The purchaser should resolve which obligations will bind and when funds become exposed. E-2 requires an investor positioned to develop and direct a real enterprise, with capital genuinely committed and at risk rather than freely retrievable, and the venture cannot be marginal.
Keep the signed commercial documents with the dated operational schedule so the sequence remains reviewable.