[60].png)
I was reading a very interesting article on Forbes the other morning titled “Your Reputation Is Your Most Valuable Asset. Here’s How to Manage It.”
And about halfway through, I caught myself thinking: this confirms what I tell clients all the time.
The article talks about something most of us already do without even thinking about it.
Eighty percent of employers Google candidates before an interview.
Fifty percent of online daters research their potential date before meeting them.
Those aren’t guesses. Those are real numbers cited in the article.
So let me ask the obvious question.
If employers do it.
If dates do it.
Why would anyone assume the government wouldn’t do it when reviewing a visa application?
They always have.
Lately, they’re just being more open about it.
This isn’t paranoia. It’s logic.
When a government officer reviews a visa petition, they’re not only reading what’s inside the file. They’re forming an opinion about credibility, consistency, and intent. Looking someone up online is one of the easiest ways to do that. In today’s environment, it would almost be negligent not to.
That’s where the Forbes article really resonates. It frames reputation as a person’s most valuable asset and makes an important distinction. Managing how you appear online isn’t about image crafting. It’s about being responsible for your professional identity.
For visa applicants, that distinction matters a lot.
Entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and professionals are often asking the government to trust their background, their experience, and their plans. Your online presence becomes an external confirmation of that story. A company website. A professional bio. Clear positioning. Consistent messaging. These things aren’t marketing extras in an immigration context. They’re signals.
Signals that say this person is real. Established. Intentional. Operating in the open.
I’ve seen strong cases on paper get undermined by weak or inconsistent online footprints. Outdated websites. No web presence at all. Information that doesn’t quite line up with what’s in the petition. When that happens, you’re leaving interpretation to chance. And chance is not something you want involved in a visa review.
A website, whether for a company or a professional, is one of the simplest ways to anchor your narrative. It provides context. It shows continuity. It lets an officer see what you want them to see, rather than whatever happens to surface first in a search result.
That’s why I see this less as a warning and more as an opportunity.
An opportunity to be intentional.
An opportunity to decide what represents you.
An opportunity to strengthen your professional presence instead of leaving it to luck.
And importantly, this doesn’t mean you have to figure everything out alone. Over the years, we’ve worked closely with professionals who understand how to translate someone’s background, business, or expertise into a credible and accurate online presence. When clients need that kind of support, we can connect them with the right people. Not to embellish anything, but to make sure what’s already true is presented clearly and responsibly.
Because when your reputation is being reviewed, the goal isn’t to impress.
It’s to be understood.
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
[191].png)
[40].png)