The client didn’t come to us with a theory. He came with confusion.
His E-2 visa had been denied, and neither he nor his attorney had a clear explanation for the outcome. From both of their perspectives, everything seemed to be in place. He had invested $200,000 in a convenience store. He had legal counsel.
After the denial, his attorney suggested bringing our team at Visa Business Plans in for a fresh business review of the case.
As Marco, our CEO, reviewed the plan, the answer surfaced almost immediately.
The business had generated only $20,000 in profits the prior year.
Marco paused and walked the investor through the numbers. The investor owned 50 percent of the business. That meant his share of the profits was about $10,000 annually. Roughly $800 per month.
That single calculation reframed the entire case.
An E-2 business must be able to provide more than a minimal living for the investor and their family. Eight hundred dollars per month clearly does not meet that standard. This wasn’t a borderline interpretation or a technical nuance. It was a textbook case of marginality.
The investor was surprised. No one had ever broken it down for him this way. The focus throughout the process had been on how much he invested, not on what the business actually produced. Marco explained that this wasn’t a new problem created at the interview stage. It was a business reality that had simply never been examined in this way before.
This is where gaps often appear. Immigration attorneys are experts in law and regulation. They are not trained to dissect profitability, operating margins, or financial sustainability. That’s why we collaborate with hundreds of attorneys nationwide. They handle the legal framework. We focus on the numbers that support it.
After Marco’s analysis, the client made the decision to engage us to take over the business side of the case and rebuild it properly.
We are now preparing a business plan from scratch that credibly shows how the business is projected to generate at least $100,000 in profits in the future. These projections are not optimistic guesses. They are grounded in a detailed operational review that pinpoints where money was being lost and how it can realistically be recovered.
This case is a reminder we see again and again. E-2 denials are rarely random. The explanation is often sitting in the numbers.
If you are preparing an E-2 case or trying to make sense of a denial, the business must be examined with the same rigor the officer will apply. That step often changes everything.
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.
If you are looking for any of the following, we can help you!
EB-5 Visa Business Plans
EB5 Business Plans
L1A Business Plans
L Visa Business Plans
L-1 Visa Business Plans
E2 Business Plans
E2 Visa Business Plans
E1 Business Plans
E1 Visa Business Plans
Business Plan for Investor Visa
Business Plans for Immigration and Visa Purposes
Business Plan for Visa Application
Market Analysis
Feasibility Studies
Investor Visas Business Plans
NIW Business Plans
NIW Personal Endeavor Plan
NIW Personal Statement
EB-2 Visa Business Plans
Visa Business Plans
[121].png)
[189].png)
