EB-2 NIW Case Study: Colombian Business Consultant Strengthening U.S. Startup Survival Colombia Business ConsultantStartups and small businesses create jobs and drive innovation in the United States, but many fail in their first few years. Many of these companies need support with business planning, financial management, and data-driven decision-making. When startups succeed, these businesses strengthen the economy and help American companies compete in the global market. Our client is a business consultant from Colombia who helps startups and small businesses survive and grow. His work focuses on using data analytics and the Objective Key Results (OKR) method to help companies build stronger business plans. Colombo & Hurd secured approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition, with the initial petition led by Senior Attorney Paul Messina and the RFE led by Senior Attorney Roshn Vazhel, Director of the firms’ RFE Department. Evaluate My Profile Client profileExecutive Leadership in Business Development and Financial StrategyHe holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Business Administration. His professional background includes business development, financial strategy, and operations management in the energy and retail sectors. He has led teams and managed operations in international markets, advancing to senior executive leadership positions. Throughout his career, he has helped companies improve profits, optimize operations, and use data to make better decisions by applying his expertise in financial analysis, performance management systems, and strategic business planning. This work gave him insight into the challenges that early-stage companies face when building sustainable business models and growing their operations. His proposed endeavor in the United States focuses on applying this expertise to help startups and small businesses overcome high failure rates. By providing consulting services centered on data analytics and the OKR methodology, he aims to help these companies make smarter decisions, use resources more effectively, and build stronger foundations for growth. This work would support job creation and help American businesses compete in the global market. The Challenge Demonstrating National Impact for Business Consulting Work USCIS issued a Request for Evidence (RFE), questioning how the proposed endeavor would benefit the United States at a national level. The main challenge was showing how his consulting work would create clear benefits beyond the individual companies he would help. Although he had strong executive experience leading operations and improving profits, the petition needed to clearly connect that expertise to broader U.S. economic goals. The RFE required showing how helping startups survive and grow would increase job creation and strengthen competition nationwide. The application needed to demonstrate that his work would advance innovation and entrepreneurship in ways that benefit the broader U.S. economy, not just individual companies. Strategic Response Connecting Executive Experience to National Economic Goals The RFE response focused on connecting the client’s executive leadership and financial expertise to a clear plan for helping U.S. startups and small businesses. The response showed his experience leading operations and improving profits in international markets. This provided strong evidence of his ability to create similar economic impact in the United States. The petition emphasized his consulting approach using data analytics, OKRs, and strategic business planning. These methods help early-stage companies survive, grow, and create jobs. The response included proof of his past results and a clear plan for how he would work in the United States. It showed how his consulting services would help startups grow and create jobs. The Result EB-2 NIW Approval After RFE Response USCIS approved the EB-2 NIW petition, laying the foundation for the client to pursue his consulting work helping startups and small businesses without needing employer sponsorship. Our client is now positioned to work independently to support early-stage companies, promote job creation, and contribute to entrepreneurship and innovation in the United States. Why This Case Succeeded Comprehensive Evidence and Strategic Legal Argumentation A strong RFE response was essential to securing approval in this case. The response included expert letters, an updated model plan, and a national importance statement that addressed the officer’s concerns and demonstrated measurable economic benefits. Attorney Vazhel explained that success required both robust evidence and proper legal framing. He said: “In the RFE response, we clarified the correct legal standards and explained how the client met them. We also refined the description of the proposed endeavor and showed, step by step, how it satisfied each requirement.” This balanced approach of providing comprehensive evidence while making clear legal arguments led to the approval. See If you QualifyGet your free EB-2 NIW visa profile evaluation today. EVALUATE MY PROFILE Case Overview Category Details Visa Classification EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Nationality Colombia Professional Field Business Development Education Bachelor’s degree and MBA in Business Administration Request for Evidence (RFE) Yes Final Outcome Approved Attorney Paul Messina (Initial Filing), Roshn Vazhel (RFE Response) Attorney’s Perspective Paul MessinaSenior AttorneyRead More “This case succeeded by demonstrating both a strong track record of execution and a clearly defined implementation plan that aligned with national priorities. The strategy successfully established the client’s capacity to advance an endeavor that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term economic growth in the United States.” Related Resources EB-2 NIW Lawyers – Experienced Attorneys For National Interest Waivers EB-2 NIW Visa: Complete Guide For 2026 EB-2 NIW Processing Time (2026): Realistic Timeline & How To Avoid Delays This case was handled by Senior Attorneys Paul Messina and Roshn Vazhel of Colombo & Hurd, a U.S. immigration law firm specializing in employment-based green cards including EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions. The firm has secured over 10,000 successful visa and green card approvals for clients from more than 100 countries, including more than 2,500 approvals in EB-2 NIW and EB-1A categories since 2023.