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At Visa Business Plans, we often hear people refer to business plans as “supporting documents,” something attached to a petition simply because the checklist requires it. But clients who have gone through the immigration process with us know this is not the case. They fully understand that a well-crafted business plan is more like a strategic anchor, something that shapes the way an adjudicator understands their entire case.
We sat down with our CEO, Marco Scanu, to ask a simple question that reveals a far deeper truth:
“Marco, many people see business plans as supporting documents, but your clients know that they are strategic tools. How do you explain the real impact a well-crafted business plan has on the outcome of an immigration case?”
Marco’s Answer
Marco didn’t hesitate. “It has all of the impact in the world,” he said. “And here’s why. “Let me start with something very simple,” Marco began. “A business plan, at its core, is a piece of writing. So the basics matter: excellent grammar, clean syntax, no typos. Those details speak volumes. They show respect for the reader, they reflect professionalism, and most importantly, they establish credibility. The moment a visa officer spots an error, their trust begins to slip. And once that happens, the natural question becomes: If there’s a mistake here, can I trust the rest of the document?”
But the conversation moved quickly beyond surface-level writing quality.
“Technical accuracy matters, but alignment with immigration law is non-negotiable,” Marco continued. “I can’t tell you how many business plans clients bring me for an informal opinion, plans they either wrote themselves or had prepared by someone else, where the narrative has nothing to do with the current regulatory framework. When that happens, my blood boils, because it means someone has placed their life plans in the hands of people who don’t know what they are doing. And honestly, if a business plan misstates the law or ignores regulatory requirements, the officer should deny the case. They have every right to.”
From there, Marco explained how a business plan must also reflect real business logic.
“A narrative that doesn’t match business realities is immediately obvious to anyone who knows what they’re looking at. If the explanation of how the company will operate doesn’t align with industry norms, or if the growth path seems disconnected from reality, adjudicators pick up on that instantly. They review hundreds of these cases a year. They know what makes sense and what doesn’t.”
He went on to highlight financial projections, which must do more than simply look optimistic on paper.
“Financials that are not based on industry standards are a fast way to undermine an entire petition. Numbers must reflect actual market conditions: cost structures, revenue models, staffing realities, margins. You can’t make up figures just to ‘look good.’ That approach backfires. If the financials aren’t grounded in the real world, the petition becomes vulnerable right away.”
Another point Marco emphasized is the danger of generic content.
“Generic business plans are an immediate red flag. Officers can recognize templates, recycled language, or AI-generated text within seconds. When a business plan lacks detail, it sends the message that the petitioner either doesn’t understand the business or didn’t invest the time to articulate it properly. Specificity shows seriousness. It demonstrates that the petitioner truly knows what they’re doing and that the business they are proposing has authentic potential.”
Finally, Marco stressed a factor that many overlook: consistency.
“A strong business plan must be internally consistent in every respect, businesswise and immigration wise. The narrative must match the financials. The operational model must align with the proposed activities. The timeline must make sense. And here’s the truth: spotting inconsistencies requires expertise. No software, no template, no AI can detect them reliably because, on the surface, the document may look polished. But when you understand both immigration requirements and business logic, those inconsistencies become glaring.”
The Bottom Line
As Marco summed it up:
“Every detail I just mentioned, grammar, legal alignment, realistic narrative, industry-based financials, specificity, and consistency, is part of a well-crafted business plan. And well-crafted business plans have a much higher probability of securing visas simply because officers see exactly what they are looking for. They see clarity, professionalism, and credibility. When those elements are present, the entire petition becomes stronger.”
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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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