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Immigration Business Plans: What’s the Difference Between E-2, L-1, and EB-2 NIW Plans?

ByJoseph Ferriolo

Not all business plans are created equal—especially when they’re submitted to USCIS. If you’re applying for a U.S. visa, your business plan must meet specific immigration requirements, depending on the visa type.

At Wise Business Plans, we specialize in creating USCIS-compliant business plans for investors, entrepreneurs, and executives. Here’s how immigration business plans differ by category—and why using the wrong format can delay or deny your petition.

Why Immigration Business Plans Matter?

Immigration officers aren’t investors—they’re adjudicators. They want to see that your business:

  • Meets visa-specific legal and economic standards
  • Has the potential to support the U.S. economy
  • Will create jobs, transfer knowledge, or fulfill a national interest

Each visa requires a plan tailored to those criteria.

E-2 Visa Business Plan (Treaty Investor)

Purpose:

To prove that you are investing a substantial amount in a real, operating U.S. business.

What It Must Include:

  • Investment breakdown and source of funds
  • 5-year financial projections
  • Job creation timeline
  • Organizational structure and management plan
  • Business viability and market analysis
  • Treaty country ownership compliance

USCIS wants to see that your investment isn’t marginal and will support you and U.S. workers.

L-1 Visa Business Plan (Intra-Company Transfer)

Purpose:

To support the transfer of an executive or manager from a foreign company to a new U.S. office.

What It Must Include:

  • Proof of relationship between U.S. and foreign entity
  • Organizational charts (current and projected)
  • Hiring plan over 5 years
  • Office lease or location plans
  • Roles and responsibilities of the transferee
  • Revenue and staffing growth milestones

The plan must show how the U.S. office will support an executive or managerial role long term.

EB-2 NIW Business Plan (National Interest Waiver)

Purpose:

To support a green card application without a job offer or labor certification, by proving your endeavor benefits the U.S. nationally.

What It Must Include:

  • Description of proposed endeavor and national importance
  • Evidence you are well-positioned to succeed
  • Market need and competitive edge
  • Business model and go-to-market plan
  • How your work supports the U.S. economy, health, tech, or education sectors
  • Alignment with the Dhanasar framework

This plan is part of your I-140 petition and is used alongside an academic/professional petition letter.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature E-2 Visa Plan L-1 Visa Plan EB-2 NIW Plan
Requires Investment
Yes
Sometimes
Not Required
Focus
Job creation + ROI
Expansion + Mgmt
National interest + merit
Entity Structure Needed
Yes
Yes (U.S. + foreign)
Not always
Plan Includes Financials
Yes (5 years)
Yes (5 years)
Yes (projections, ROI)
USCIS Priority
Viability
Scalability
Impact & Qualifications

Why Choose Wise Business Plans?

  • 15,000+ custom immigration plans written
  • Trusted by top immigration attorneys worldwide
  • 100% USCIS-compliant formatting and content
  • Fast turnaround and visa-specific expertise
  • Plans for E-1, E-2, L-1A, EB-2 NIW, EB-5, and beyond

Need a Visa Plan That Gets Approved?

We’ll match you with a U.S.-based expert who understands your visa type and business goals.

Email: [email protected]
Call: (800) 496-1056
Get a Free Consultation

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