One of the phrases Marco repeats most often during investor consultations is:
“Este negocio no es solo para la visa. Este negocio es para la vida.”
This business is not just for the visa. It’s for life.
Clients usually smile when they hear it.
Then they stop for a moment and think about what it actually means.
Over the years, we’ve noticed that many investors begin the E-2 process looking for a business that can help them obtain a visa. That’s perfectly understandable. The visa is often the reason they started exploring opportunities in the first place.
What sometimes gets overlooked is what happens after the visa is approved.
The immigration process eventually comes to an end, but the business remains. The investor still has employees to manage, customers to serve, and a family depending on the success of the company. In many cases, that business becomes the financial foundation upon which the family’s new life in the United States is built.
That’s why we encourage investors to think beyond the visa itself. The business they’re purchasing today may influence their lifestyle, financial security, and future opportunities for many years to come.
That’s the reason Marco’s comment resonates with so many investors.
A few years ago, we worked with an investor who was convinced he had found the right business.
The company had been operating for years. Revenue was solid. The purchase price was within budget. Most importantly, the opportunity appeared capable of supporting an E-2 case.
From the investor’s perspective, the search was essentially over.
As we started learning more about him, however, a different picture emerged.
He wasn’t moving to the United States simply to own a business.
He was moving because he wanted a different life for himself and his family.
He talked about spending more time with his children. He wanted financial stability. He wanted to build something sustainable and create opportunities that didn’t exist in his home country.
The more we discussed his goals, the more obvious it became that the business he was considering wasn’t aligned with the life he was hoping to create.
The owner was working long hours. Weekends were rarely free. The operation required constant attention and significant employee management.
There was nothing wrong with the business itself.
The problem was that the investor was buying it for the wrong reasons.
He was focused on whether the business could qualify for an E-2 visa.
He hadn’t spent enough time asking whether he actually wanted the life that came with owning that particular business.
That’s a very different question.
It’s also one of the reasons our conversations with investors tend to go beyond financial statements, staffing plans, and visa requirements.
Of course, we analyze those things. They matter.
At the same time, we want to understand the person behind the investment.
What motivates them?
What does success look like to them?
How involved do they want to be in daily operations?
What role will their family play in the business?
What are they hoping their life will look like five or ten years after the move?
Those answers often influence our recommendations as much as the business itself.
After all, a business can satisfy E-2 requirements and still be a poor fit for a particular investor.
Likewise, a business that initially receives less attention can sometimes become the strongest option once we understand the investor’s goals more clearly.
After helping investors identify businesses for more than 17 years, we’ve learned that the best opportunities usually sit at the intersection of two important factors.
The business must support the E-2 strategy.
Equally important, it must support the life the investor is trying to build.
That’s the meaning behind Marco’s phrase.
“This business is not just for the visa. It’s for life.”
The visa may open the door.
The business determines what happens after you walk through it.
Contact us today to get startedThe 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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EB-5 Visa Business Plans
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L Visa Business Plans
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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
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