Visa petitions are not always smooth sailing, and for many business owners on E-2 visas, unexpected challenges can put their status in jeopardy. From missed financial projections to staff shortages, things can go south quickly, especially during renewal periods. However, with strategic business thinking and savvy planning, many seemingly impossible cases can turn into success stories. In this blog, we’ll share several real-life horror stories where smart business strategies saved the day.
1. The Struggling E-2 Renewal During the Pandemic
Our client, a small business owner, was facing a tough time during his E-2 visa renewal. His company was hit hard by the pandemic, and as a result, none of his financial projections were met. Revenues were down and things looked grim. The client’s downward revenue trend meant that the chance of his visa being renewed was slim.
But we didn’t give up. We took a deep dive into his business and analyzed his client base to find new growth opportunities. After thorough research, we crafted a strategic plan that identified new avenues to increase sales. We laid out steps for him to diversify his client base, from pursuing new market segments to launching creative sales efforts and joining industry groups.
By showing U.S. immigration authorities a detailed, realistic strategy for growth—one that was not solely dependent on a single client segment—our client’s chances improved. Despite low odds, our coherent business plan helped his visa renewal get approved.
2. The Landscaping Company with No Employees
Another client ran a landscaping business, but when his visa renewal came around, he was in deep trouble. One of the key issues was that he had projected hiring several employees in his initial petition, but the business still had none. This gap between projections and reality seemed like a dealbreaker for his renewal.
However, we didn’t let the situation stop us. We conducted in-depth research and made a surprising discovery: the area where our client’s business operated had very low unemployment levels, and there was a significant shortage of trained landscapers. Armed with this new information, we created a comprehensive hiring plan for the business. We outlined realistic timelines and strategies for recruiting the necessary personnel, accounting for the industry-specific challenges in his region.
This research-backed approach proved crucial. Despite the apparent obstacles, the immigration authorities approved his renewal, recognizing the efforts and planning we put into the case.
3. The Restaurant RFE Challenge
In another case, we had a client in the restaurant industry whose visa petition hit an unexpected roadblock in the form of a Request for Evidence (RFE). The RFE questioned the financial projections we had used in the business plan, casting doubt on the projected profitability of the restaurant.
We knew, however, that our projections were based on solid industry metrics and realistic expectations. As part of the attorney’s response to the RFE, we drafted a letter that walked immigration officials through every financial figure, explaining how each projection was based on verified industry data, market trends, and local economic conditions.
Because our projections were rooted in fact and not just wishful thinking, our client’s petition sailed through. The visa was approved within just two days, demonstrating the power of a well-researched and confidently presented business plan.
Conclusion
These stories show that even when visa petitions seem to be in serious trouble, strategic business thinking and detailed planning can turn the tide. From analyzing market gaps to crafting data-backed financial projections, we’ve helped many clients overcome challenges that seemed insurmountable.
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Are you worried about your E-2 visa renewal? We’re here to help with our new health check-up service! This service offers quarterly monitoring of your company’s performance to ensure it aligns with the metrics immigration authorities want to see, helping to raise your chances of a smooth renewal process. Let our strategic business expertise keep your visa on track. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
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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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