Marco Scanu, CEO of Visa Business Plans, recently attended the AILA RDC EMEA Spring Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Over several days, he joined immigration attorneys from across the region to discuss what is actually happening in today’s adjudication environment.
This blog is part of a series where we’re sharing key insights from those conversations. Not just what the regulations say, but how cases are being reviewed in practice and what is increasingly influencing decisions behind the scenes.
One of the most important shifts discussed was this:
USCIS and consular officers are not just adjudicating cases.
They are actively looking for fraud.
Most people think of immigration officers as decision-makers. They review applications, check eligibility, and approve or deny cases.
That’s true, but it’s only part of the picture.
What came up repeatedly in Geneva is that every case is also being evaluated through a different lens. Not just “does this qualify,” but “does this make sense?”
Officers are trained to look for inconsistencies, gaps, and anything that doesn’t align. They are not just confirming eligibility. They are testing credibility.
This shift changes everything about how cases are reviewed.
It’s no longer enough to meet the legal requirements or submit the right documents. The case also needs to hold together as a complete, believable story.
That means the details matter more than ever.
Numbers need to align.
Job descriptions need to be clear and specific.
Financial projections need to be realistic.
Organizational structures need to reflect how the business actually operates.
Even small inconsistencies can raise questions.
And once questions are raised, the case becomes harder to defend.
At the consular level, this becomes even more evident.
Consular officers often have limited time. They rely heavily on interviews and have to make decisions quickly. That means they are trained to assess credibility in real time.
Do the answers match the petition?
Does the story hold together under pressure?
Does anything feel exaggerated or unclear?
In many cases, this is the final checkpoint.
And it’s not just about what’s written in the file. It’s about whether the entire case feels consistent and grounded in reality.
This is especially important for business immigration cases.
Visas like E-2, L-1, H-1B, and EB-5 rely heavily on documentation, projections, and how a business is presented. But what attorneys in Geneva emphasized is that cases don’t usually fail because they completely miss the legal standard.
They fail because something doesn’t add up.
Something feels overstated.
Something is inconsistent.
Something doesn’t fully align.
And that’s enough to create doubt.
A strong case today doesn’t just check boxes.
It connects every element into a clear and consistent narrative.
The financials match the business model.
The roles match the structure.
The projections reflect reality.
The story stays the same across every document and every explanation.
Everything works together.
Because the real question officers are asking is not just “does this qualify?”
It’s “does this hold up if I take a closer look?”
This is exactly why being in Geneva mattered.
These weren’t theoretical ideas. They were real observations from attorneys dealing with increased scrutiny, more detailed RFEs, and more probing interviews.
Visa Business Plans was the only company focused exclusively on immigration business plans attending the conference. Being part of these discussions allows us to stay aligned with how adjudication trends are evolving and to continuously adapt how business plans are structured so they meet the level of scrutiny cases are facing today, ultimately helping strengthen our clients’ cases and increase their chances of visa approval.
If you approach a case assuming the officer is simply verifying eligibility, you’re missing part of the equation.
If you approach it understanding that the officer is also looking for inconsistencies and potential red flags, the way you prepare changes.
And that’s where stronger cases are built.
In the next article, we’ll share another insight from Geneva that is shaping how cases are being evaluated right now.
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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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