We celebrate every visa approval alongside our clients, but some cases remind us just how many moving pieces need to align for a successful outcome. Today, we’re thrilled to share that two E-2 visa petitions, filed for the same business but under very different circumstances, have been approved.
One case was filed in the U.S. through the USCIS (Change of Status). The other went through Consular Processing in Germany. The business was the same, the investors were the same, but the strategy required two versions of the business plan, each tailored to its audience.
The Case: One Business, Two Strategies
The investors in this case are a mother and daughter. The mother, a German national, had to process her visa through the U.S. consulate in Germany. The daughter and her husband were in the U.S. under a B-1 visa and filed for a Change of Status.
The attorney handling the case knew that these two paths would require very different approaches when it came to documentation. That’s why they asked us to create not one, but two business plans for the exact same company: a standard-length plan for the Change of Status application and a condensed version specifically designed for the German consulate.
Both versions presented the same business model and financials, but each was structured to meet the specific expectations of the adjudicating officer reviewing it.
Understanding the Audience is Everything
In the world of immigration business plans, there are rules, and then there are “unwritten rules.” Officers at USCIS and U.S. consulates around the world don’t just look at the content; they have preferences on how they want that content presented. A plan that is too long for a consular officer who expects a short brief may be overlooked. On the other hand, a plan that is too thin on details can hurt a Change of Status case where a more comprehensive document is expected.
Knowing what the adjudicating officer wants to see is not something that comes from guessing or simply reading templates. It comes from experience. It comes from listening. It comes from constantly interacting with top immigration attorneys, speaking directly with former USCIS adjudicators and consular officers, and participating in global AILA conferences to stay current with the latest trends in immigration adjudications.
This is where most business plan firms fall short. They write business plans. We build tools designed to help win cases, rooted in real-world feedback from the people who actually review them. That is a key difference that can turn a good case into an approved one.
The Immigration Landscape is Always Changing, So Are Our Business Plans
What worked for E-2 applications five years ago may not work today. Adjudication trends evolve. Officers' expectations shift. Consulates develop their own preferences. If your business plan does not reflect these realities, you are leaving too much to chance.
Our clients benefit from the fact that we are immersed in the business immigration field. No other business plan firm invests the time and resources to engage with the immigration community the way we do. We don’t just attend a conference here and there. We are present at AILA events worldwide, year after year, to ensure that our business plans stay aligned with the ever-changing landscape of immigration.
Final Thought
Today’s success story wasn’t just about writing a good business plan. It was about understanding who would read it, anticipating what they would want to see, and crafting documents that fit those expectations without compromising on quality or accuracy. Two investors. One business. Two distinct audiences. One shared result: approval.
If you're preparing for an E-2 petition, ask yourself — does your business plan reflect what adjudicators want to see today? Or is it just filling a requirement on paper?
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The information provided in this blog is intended solely for informational purposes. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date content, it should not be considered legal advice. Immigration laws and regulations are subject to change, and individual circumstances can vary widely. For personalized guidance and legal advice regarding your specific immigration situation, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified immigration attorney who can provide you with tailored assistance and ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
Visa Business Plans is led by Marco Scanu, a certified coach from the University of Miami with a globally-based practice coaching Fortune 1000 company executives, entrepreneurs, as well as professionals in four different continents. Mr. Scanu advises clients on turnaround strategies and crisis management.
Mr. Scanu received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the University of Florida and an MBA in Management from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Mr. Scanu was also a Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University under the prestigious H. Humphrey Fellowship (Fulbright program) with a focus on Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and high-growth enterprises.
At present, Mr. Scanu is the managing partner and CEO at Visa Business Plans, a Miami-based boutique consulting firm providing attorneys and investors with business planning services in the areas of U.S. and Canadian immigration, SBA loans, and others.
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