Most of the committed capital, because the funds must be irrevocably committed and at risk before the application succeeds: franchise fee, equipment, premises and inventory. Add professional costs for the business plan, corporate formation and legal review, and government charges through the consular application or the USCIS fee schedule for a change of status.
Sequence the spending so assets outlast a refusal
The risk cannot be removed, but it can be shaped. Money spent on vehicles, tools and equipment leaves saleable assets; money spent on a non-refundable franchise fee and on leasehold improvements does not. Where a choice exists about order, commit to the items that retain value first and negotiate delivery and commencement dates that leave room for the application. Ask the franchisor directly what happens to the fee if the couple cannot obtain status, and get the answer in the agreement rather than in a conversation. Add the professional costs, which are expenses of getting there rather than part of the investment itself, and confirm current government amounts at the time of application.
Hypothetical example: a Tyendinaga entrepreneur prices a U.S. windshield-repair business by adding a van and tools but omits insurance, permits, initial stock, and working capital. The relevant question is not a universal dollar threshold; it is whether the committed amount is substantial for this particular enterprise. Obtain vendor quotes, distinguish paid expenses from estimates, and explain why the remaining capital can bring the business to an operating point. If the numbers require immediate unrealistic sales simply to meet rent, revise the acquisition or funding plan before committing further funds.