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We’re grateful we had the opportunity to attend the Latin America and Caribbean Chapter (LACC) Conference in Barbados in November 2025. We attend at least 8 immigration conferences every year so we can stay current on business immigration trends and keep refining the immigration business plans, proposed endeavor plans, and other custom-made documentation we prepare to support visa petitions.
We don’t practice law or manage B-1 cases, but we’re deeply focused on helping lawyers and clients present the business side of the petition as clearly and credibly as possible. Conferences like this one are valuable because we learn directly from top-notch panelists and translate those insights into stronger business plans and supporting documentation that help attorneys win cases.
At the AILA conference in Barbados, attorney Melanie Keeney highlighted a simple but powerful interview lesson: avoid the “W” word during B-1 visa interviews.
Why this point matters in real interviews
What Melanie described is something we’ve seen in other contexts too: interviews can become a pacing test. Questions come fast, they’re phrased in everyday language, and people naturally mirror the wording they hear. That’s where trouble starts—because one casual word can steer the conversation away from the actual purpose of the trip.
Melanie shared an example from a recent case where the consular officer repeatedly asked her client questions framed around that word, such as, “Who will drive you to work?” That kind of question can feel routine, almost like small talk, but it puts the applicant in a position where repeating the phrase can change the tone of the interview.
What a strong answer sounds like
The client did exactly what Melanie wanted the audience to notice: they didn’t argue, they didn’t overexplain, and they didn’t adopt the officer’s wording. They answered with a clear, purpose-based explanation:
“I’m not going to work. I’m traveling to the U.S. to install equipment and train U.S. workers under a contract between a foreign company that sold equipment to a U.S. company. Under that agreement, the foreign company is required to provide installation and training services.”
What we take from this as business plan writers
As a business consulting firm that produces realistic, solid business plans, here’s what stands out to us immediately: words matter. One word that feels normal in everyday conversation can collide with what visa regulations allow. That’s why we’re extremely careful with the language we use in our narratives. We know too well that a casual phrase, in the context of business immigration, has the potential to open a can of worms, create confusion, or invite unnecessary scrutiny from an officer.
In Melanie’s example, the response stayed grounded in a few clear points:
the purpose is installation and training, not employment in the United States
the trip is tied to a contract
the contract is between a foreign seller and a U.S. buyer
the agreement requires the foreign company to provide the installation and training services
That’s a clean narrative. It’s not dramatic, it’s not defensive, and it doesn’t wander.
The takeaway
For us, the bigger lesson is about consistency. A visa filing reads strongest when every piece supports the same story, and that includes the business plan and any supporting documentation. When the business purpose, the commercial context, and the operational details are presented clearly and realistically, it becomes easier for the overall case narrative to stay aligned from start to finish, raising the chances of success.
Contact us today to get started
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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