Allow several months. Fixing an ownership structure, completing due diligence and assembling source-of-funds evidence all precede the application, which is the shortest stage of the whole thing.
Do the arithmetic in the first week
The ownership arithmetic should be done immediately, because if it fails everything downstream changes. Renegotiating percentages, bringing in another treaty-national investor or restructuring the acquisition takes time and involves the seller, a lender and an accountant. Due diligence on three years of dealership records, franchise consents and the premises lease runs alongside it and often uncovers items that need negotiation. Assembling the source-of-funds trail requires banks to produce historic statements, which is measured in weeks rather than days. Only then is the application ready, and published consular processing times apply from that point. Structure the transaction with a condition tied to the immigration decision and funds in escrow, so the deal can wait for the outcome instead of forcing an early completion.
Hypothetical example: a marine-upholstery studio must decide whether to take a spring boat-show booking before its premises and equipment are secured. The first review should identify which events prove a real operating enterprise and which cannot happen until after an immigration decision. A signed lease, equipment contract, escrowed acquisition, licenses, and insurance record settle the commitment timeline. Work backward from the commercial launch, building time for document collection and consular processing where required. The common error is treating a business plan's opening date as evidence that the capital is already committed. It is only a projection. Decide which obligations can safely be assumed now, which should be contingent, and whether the projected enterprise will meet the non-marginality test before promises are made to employees or customers.