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Summary: A customs compliance specialist with over a decade of experience, sought EB-2 NIW approval. She already had representation from a law firm with EB-2 NIW experience (Rosas Law Group), but needed a formal Immigration Business Plan. GuidedVenture and ProfVal collaborated with her and her legal team to create a customized Immigration Business showcasing her endeavor’s merit and national importance. The plan emphasized her business's role in enhancing national security, economic growth, and job creation, ultimately securing her petition approval and providing her with a framework for the success of her business.
Full Article
Particularly given recent changes in adjudication of EB-2 NIW petitions, securing an EB-2 NIW petition requires more than meeting the eligibility criteria — it demands a clear demonstration of substantial merit, national importance, and how a petitioner’s endeavor benefits the United States.
When Flavia Lima (not her real name) approached our team, she had a promising foundation for an EB-2 NIW petition. We felt that her background aligned with EB-2 exceptional ability criteria, and she was already working with an experienced law firm (Rosas Law Group) specializing in EB-2 NIW petitions.
Relevant to this case study, she also had a compelling business idea, but lacked the professional, formal Immigration Business Plan needed to make her case stand out. This post highlights Flavia’s story and how her Immigration Business Plan, developed collaboratively by GuidedVenture and ProfVal, contributed to her EB-2 NIW approval.
Who is Flavia Lima?
Flavia is a skilled customs compliance specialist with over a decade of experience across manufacturing industries. In addition to holding an MBA, she has obtained specialized licensures in customs and compliance. Her qualifications included an academic degree, industry certifications, over 10 years of professional experience, and recognition from peers. These qualifications provided a strong foundation for her EB-2 NIW application.
One of the most challenging aspects of an EB-2 NIW petition involves establishing that the proposed endeavor has both substantial merit and national importance while also demonstrating that waiving the job offer requirement serves the national interests of the United States. Under the Dhanasar framework, these challenges primarily involve addressing prongs 1 and 3. For petitioners who receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), USCIS often seeks a “detailed description” of the proposed endeavor that clearly articulates how the endeavor meets these requirements.
In our experience reviewing RFEs, USCIS often questions prong 2, but less frequently when people like Flavia have capable legal representation.
How Did We Help Flavia?
Flavia’s business focuses on providing customs compliance consulting services to manufacturing industries, alongside offering workshops and seminars on global trade laws and best practices. She aims to help clients streamline compliance processes and adapt to evolving international trade environments, among other things that we're leaving out of this discussion to maintain Flavia's anonymity.
Launching and sustaining a business in the U.S. requires more than a great idea—it demands strategic planning, expert guidance, and a clear roadmap. At GuidedVenture, we worked closely with Flavia to translate her industry-specific knowledge into a compelling narrative that was both accessible and impactful. We began by having an in-depth 1:1 discussion with Flavia to understand her vision. This approach is part of our process with all our business plan clients, no matter whether we are developing an Immigration Business Plan or a Strategic Business Plan.
With EB-2 NIW Immigration Business Plans like Flavia's, it can be particularly important to distill her industry-specific knowledge into accessible, impactful terms.
For a moment, imagine stepping into the shoes of a USCIS officer. These professionals are highly educated and capable, but they often have limited time to review petitions and may lack familiarity with niche industries. This makes it essential to simplify and contextualize the petitioner’s endeavor in a way that highlights its significance and relevance.
We conducted thorough research to validate Flavia’s business concept and developed a comprehensive 55+-page business plan that included:
Market Analysis: A detailed assessment of the U.S. customs compliance landscape, highlighting underserved sectors and growth opportunities.
Operational Blueprint: Step-by-step plans for services, target clientele, and infrastructure.
Financial Projections: Revenue and expense forecasts demonstrating profitability and scalability over five years.
Regulatory Framework: A compliance-driven strategy aligning with U.S. trade and security regulations.
Competitive Positioning: A unique value proposition to set her apart in the market.
All of the ideas originated from Flavia herself. Our role was to refine and present her content in a structured and impactful manner.
The resulting business plan not only provided a comprehensive roadmap for her business but also successfully conveyed the substantial merit and national importance of her endeavor discussed next.
Remember, Immigration Business Plans need to focus on more than the business itself. While USCIS agents are trained to evaluate the viability of a business, they also need to determine whether the business and the petitioner—whether it's you, your client, or someone like Flavia—have crafted a detailed plan that aligns with the specific requirements of the visa being pursued.
As an EB-2 NIW petitioner, Flavia's endeavor needed to align with the interests of the United States and provide benefits to the United States that warrant the waiver of a job offer.
The Impact of Flavia’s Business on the United States
The benefits to the United States must extend beyond a petitioner’s direct clients. For example, while Flavia’s compliance consulting services will save her clients time and money while ensuring adherence to international regulatory requirements, this alone is insufficient to meet the criteria for an NIW.
We worked with Flavia to demonstrate the National Importance of her endeavor. Her business aligns with U.S. government priorities by enhancing national security, promoting economic growth, and contributing to job creation, among other things. By helping businesses adhere to trade regulations, she supports improved supply chains and public safety. Additionally, her workshops and seminars empower professionals to navigate global trade compliance effectively.
Ultimately, the USCIS felt that her business will provide tangible benefits for the United State and approved her petition.
The Next Chapter
Unlike generic Business Plan providers, we ensure our clients’ Business Plans are built with execution in mind.
With her EB-2 NIW petition approved, Flavia is now focused on building her business. GuidedVenture remains committed to her success, and she has the option to use our tools and resources to help her reach $1 million in annual sales through a LaunchBox subscription. Once her business surpasses that amount, we she can work with us to scale her business to its next achievement through GrowthBox.
Beyond Business Plans: How GuidedVenture Supports Growth
Visit www.guidedventure.com to learn how we can help turn your entrepreneurial vision into reality. GuidedVenture offers the expertise and resources you need to succeed, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an experienced executive. Let us help you craft your story, secure your future, and build a business that makes a lasting impact.
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