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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard investors say, “I’m investing a lot of money, so my visa should be approved.”
It’s one of the biggest myths surrounding the E-2 visa process. A big investment can help strengthen your case, but it’s not a golden ticket. I recently worked with an attorney whose wealthy client learned this lesson the hard way.
The client had invested $400,000 into his business. That’s not a small number, and on paper, you’d think this was a strong case. But despite the size of the investment, the visa was denied.
Where Things Went Wrong
When the attorney reached out to us after the denial, we asked to review the business plan that had been submitted with the petition. It had been prepared by a third party, not by us.
The first red flag jumped out almost immediately. The business plan looked impressive on the surface. It had glossy charts, big numbers, and bold statements. But once we looked closer, it was clear those numbers didn’t match reality. They weren’t based on any real market or industry data. They were made up.
That’s where the case began to unravel. The adjudication officer caught what should have been caught long before the application was submitted. And it didn’t stop there.
The supporting documentation also clashed with the plan. The investor’s real-world steps and the projections in the business plan didn’t align. Those inconsistencies were enough to undermine the case.
The Cost of a Poor Business Plan
This wasn’t a denial because the business idea was bad. It wasn’t a denial because the investment wasn’t big enough.
It was denied because the business plan failed to do its job: to tell a clear, realistic, and credible story.
Why?
The investor had purchased a business that generated approximately $200,000 in revenue the previous year. The business plan projected revenues of $950,000 for the following year, a 4.5-fold increase. However, there was no explanation of how the company planned to achieve such growth. Even more concerning, the company had lost about $5,000 the previous year, yet profits were projected to reach $80,000 in the next year. Again, there was no clear plan outlining how the company would reach profitability.
A strong E-2 business plan isn’t just a document that looks good. It’s a strategic, carefully built piece of evidence. It must be consistent, backed by data and historical figures, and able to withstand the scrutiny of someone whose job is to find weaknesses in your case.
What a Solid Business Plan Should Do
A proper immigration business plan goes deeper than fancy formatting. It analyzes every angle of the case and connects all the dots.
It should:
Reflect real industry trends and reliable market research
Align seamlessly with the investor’s supporting documentation
Anticipate the questions an adjudication officer will ask
Identify and address potential weaknesses before the government does
Had this been done correctly the first time, this investor could have avoided a costly denial.
The Lesson Here
A high investment amount does not guarantee a visa approval. What matters just as much is how your investment is presented and supported. A poorly written or unrealistic business plan can sink even the most well-funded case.
This is why taking the time to create a thoughtful, accurate, and strategic business plan is crucial. It’s not just paperwork. It’s the foundation of your case.
If you’re planning to apply for an E-2 visa, make sure your business plan works for you — not against you.
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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