We write business plans for US and Canadian immigration, and help entrepreneurs grow and raise capital.

The Secret to Avoiding Visa Denials? Spotting Risks Before USCIS Does

The Secret to Avoiding Visa Denials? Spotting Risks Before USCIS Does

When it comes to employment-based immigration petitions, a business plan isn’t just a formality—it’s often the deciding factor between approval and denial. A poorly crafted plan can trigger RFEs (Requests for Evidence), cause delays, or even lead to outright denials. At Visa Business Plans, we take a completely different approach—one that focuses on risk identification and results. Our proven methodology is designed to anticipate and neutralize potential issues before they ever reach USCIS or consular officers.

This attention to detail and clarity doesn’t go unnoticed. Consular officers often congratulate our clients on the quality of their visa business plans, noting how our thorough and well-structured documents make their job easier. By presenting clear, credible, and comprehensive information upfront, we help streamline the adjudication process, reduce questions, and create a strong, positive impression from the start.

Here’s how our process helps attorneys avoid RFEs and denials—and why our visa business plans consistently withstand the toughest scrutiny.

1. Business Plans That Make Business Sense

We don’t create “pretty” narratives based solely on what clients say. Our business plans are deeply rooted in real-world business logic. Each narrative includes operational details and considers the same variables and scenarios that seasoned entrepreneurs analyze daily.

We focus on crafting credible, thorough, and reality-based narratives that go beyond storytelling. Our plans reflect operational decisions, growth strategies, and market realities, ensuring they hold up under USCIS scrutiny.

Why this matters: Immigration officers can easily spot plans that look good on paper but lack operational depth. Our risk-focused approach ensures the plan isn’t just convincing—it’s credible.

2. Financial Projections Backed by Industry Benchmarks

One of the most common reasons for RFEs is unrealistic financial projections. We combat this by conducting in-depth research into industry benchmarks to ensure that our clients’ projections align with what’s expected in their field.

We know that a startup claiming aggressive revenue in its first year without a basis raises red flags. That’s why we ground every financial figure in real industry data, presenting projections that are ambitious but credible.

Why this matters: USCIS adjudicators are trained to flag unrealistic financial expectations. By aligning projections with market norms, we eliminate one of the most common reasons for RFEs.

3. Hiring Projections That Reflect Industry Standards

Exaggerated hiring projections can quickly lead to an RFE or denial. We avoid this pitfall by grounding our hiring forecasts in industry-specific growth patterns.

We understand how businesses in various sectors scale, so we craft hiring plans that align with real-world expectations. We don’t inflate hiring numbers just to make the business seem more substantial—because adjudication officers will see right through that.

Why this matters: USCIS often challenges hiring practices that seem “too good to be true.” Our data-backed projections provide solid explanations and source material to justify every role we project.

4. Investment Sections That Hold Up Under Scrutiny

USCIS and consular officers frequently scrutinize the investment section of a business plan. We go beyond simply listing figures—we categorize expenses, break down expense line items, and ensure consistency with supporting documents like bank statements.

Our approach ensures that all investments are traceable, logical, and aligned with immigration regulations. If an expense looks high or vague, we provide a detailed breakdown to preempt questions from adjudicators.

Why this matters: Immigration officers often question vague or inflated expenses. Our detailed breakdowns prevent misunderstandings and avoid RFEs.

5. Operational Analysis Through an Immigration Lens

We don’t just analyze business operations from a commercial standpoint—we view them through the lens of an adjudication officer. This allows us to spot red flags and inconsistencies before they become issues.

We regularly challenge operational strategies that might raise concerns and collaborate with clients to adjust them before submission. Our dual focus on business and immigration law enables us to preemptively fix problems that could lead to RFEs or denials.

Why this matters: Adjudicators look for operational inconsistencies. We catch them first, so attorneys don’t have to deal with messy RFEs later.

6. Legal Insight to Identify Red Flags Early

Because we’re familiar with immigration laws and visa requirements, we’re adept at spotting potential red flags that could jeopardize a case. When we find issues, we immediately bring them to the attorney’s attention—before the petition is filed.

This allows attorneys to be proactive and address concerns directly with their clients, leading to stronger submissions and fewer surprises down the line.

Why this matters: Timely issue identification saves attorneys and clients valuable time and avoids months of delays caused by preventable RFEs.

7. Clear Presentation of Critical Documents

When a client’s business model hinges on agreements, joint ventures, or major purchases, we ensure our business plan reflects these transactions clearly. Instead of overwhelming adjudicators with dense documents, we extract and summarize key details directly in the business plan, providing context without requiring them to sift through complex contracts.

Why this matters: Immigration officers appreciate clarity. By simplifying complex transactions, we make their job easier and reduce the risk of RFEs requesting additional documentation.

8. Fully Customized Job Descriptions

Generic job descriptions are one of the top reasons USCIS issues RFEs—especially for L-1A and EB-2/NIW petitions. Our job descriptions are fully customized to the client’s specific operations and structured to highlight key elements that immigration officers expect.

We clearly outline daily duties, reporting structures, and managerial responsibilities, providing a complete picture of how each role fits into the company’s growth strategy.

Why this matters: Detailed, accurate job descriptions help adjudicators understand the business hierarchy, reducing the risk of RFEs focused on managerial roles or employee classification.

9. Error-Minimizing Methodology for Quick Filings

Our proprietary 77-point quality assurance process, developed over 15+ years, ensures that every business plan we deliver is polished, complete, and ready to file. This minimizes revisions and eliminates the need for multiple drafts.

Attorneys and clients often submit our first draft without changes, saving time and reducing back-and-forth communication that can delay filings.

Why this matters: Faster filings mean attorneys can process more cases efficiently, improving profitability while maintaining high-quality submissions.

A Proven Methodology Focused on Results

Every step of our process is designed with one goal in mind: successful visa outcomes. We understand that attorneys who genuinely care about their clients want business plans that don’t just look good—they need plans that work.

Our commitment to risk identification, attention to detail, and focus on results is why attorneys trust us to help them win cases. With Visa Business Plans, you’re not just getting a document—you’re getting a strategy built for success.

Ready to Strengthen Your Next Case?

If you’re an attorney looking to reduce RFEs due to a business plan and raise your chances of securing more visa approvals, Visa Business Plans is your strategic partner.

Contact us today to learn how our risk-focused approach can help you build stronger, more credible cases that lead to results.

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

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

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