Alma vs Envoy Global

When companies and individuals need to secure U.S. work visas or green cards, choosing between immigration service providers becomes a high-stakes decision. Two prominent options—Alma and Envoy Global—represent fundamentally different approaches to immigration legal services. While Envoy Global operates as a traditional enterprise immigration provider with global reach, Alma offers tech-enabled immigration services with rapid execution and transparent pricing. This comparison reveals why Alma's modern approach delivers superior results for companies and professionals who need speed, predictability, and expert legal guidance for U.S. immigration.

Understanding Each Company's Core Positioning

Alma positions itself as a technology-forward immigration legal services platform, combining seasoned attorneys with AI/ML to streamline the complex immigration process. Legal services are provided through affiliated independent attorneys. Launched in 2023 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Alma has rapidly grown to serve businesses of all sizes and raised $5.1 million in seed funding. The company serves businesses across all growth stages, specializing in employment-based immigration including O-1, H-1B, L-1, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and PERM labor certifications.

Envoy Global takes a traditional enterprise approach to immigration services. Founded in 1998 (originally as VisaNow), Envoy Global has built its reputation serving Fortune 500 companies with global immigration needs. The provider offers coverage across 180+ countries and focuses primarily on large enterprise clients requiring multi-country immigration coordination. Legal services are provided through affiliated independent attorneys.

The fundamental difference lies in philosophy: Envoy Global manages complex global programs, while Alma delivers U.S. immigration excellence with guaranteed speed and full pricing transparency.

Service Offerings Show Distinct Strategic Focuses

Alma's service portfolio concentrates on high-impact U.S. employment immigration:

• O-1A and O-1B extraordinary ability visas
• H-1B specialty occupation visas (cap, cap-exempt, extensions, transfers)
• L-1A and L-1B intracompany transfer visas
• EB-1A/B/C extraordinary ability green cards
• EB-2 NIW green cards (National Interest Waiver)
• PERM labor certification and I-140 processing
• TN, E-2, and E-3 visa categories
• Adjustment of status and consular processing

This focused approach allows for deeper expertise and faster execution in the visa categories that matter most to tech companies and high-skilled professionals.

Envoy Global's services span a broader geographic scope:

• U.. employment-based immigration
• Global business travel visas
• Multi-country immigration coordination
• Global mobility program management
• Enterprise compliance across jurisdictions

While Envoy Global's breadth serves multinational corporations with employees worldwide, this scope comes at the cost of specialization and speed in any single country.

For example, while immigration case timelines vary by complexity, Alma guarantees 2-week document processing turnaround for case preparation. This speed advantage in case prep becomes crucial for companies competing for top talent who cannot wait extended periods for visa processing.

Pricing Models Reflect Different Value Propositions

The pricing structures reveal each company's target market and service philosophy.

Alma's published pricing structure:

• Check Alma’s Transparent Pricing Page

What's included in Alma's fees:

• Attorney and paralegal services
• Platform access and case tracking
• RFE (Request for Evidence) responses
• Up to 3 free attorney consultation calls per matter
• Administrative charges (FedEx, printing, postage)
• Software subscription

Envoy Global's pricing model:

• Pricing is not publicly listed; organizations typically contact sales for quotes—no published pricing
• Flat fee per case model (not hourly)
• Consolidated billing options available
• Enterprise-focused pricing structures
• Pricing varies significantly based on company size and case volume

This pricing structure makes Alma particularly attractive for companies that need budget predictability. Why navigate opaque enterprise pricing when Alma publishes every rate upfront? The transparent approach eliminates the overhead and uncertainty that come with custom enterprise quotes.

Target Customers Reveal Strategic Alignment Differences

Alma primarily serves companies and individuals across the full growth spectrum:

• Startups with foreign nationals (0-25 foreign nationals, Startup Plan)
• Growing companies with 26-250 foreign nationals (Growth Plan)
• Enterprises with 250+ foreign nationals (Enterprise Plan)
• Individual professionals seeking O-1, EB-1, or EB-2 NIW visas
• Founders, entrepreneurs, and executives
• STEM professionals and researchers
• Artists and entertainers

Alma's special pricing programs for Y Combinator, Techstars, Pear VC, and other partner accelerators make it the preferred choice for venture-backed startups.

Envoy Global targets larger enterprise organizations:

• Fortune 500 multinational corporations
• Companies with global mobility programs
• Organizations needing multi-country immigration coordination
• Large-scale corporate immigration programs

This distinction matters significantly. Startups and mid-market companies don't need complex global infrastructure—they need fast U.S. immigration case preparation with transparent costs. Alma's model perfectly matches these needs, while Envoy Global's enterprise approach often provides unnecessary overhead for companies focused on U.S. operations.

Results and Approval Rates Demonstrate Quality Differences

Both companies serve significant client bases, but the transparency around outcomes differs substantially.

Alma's documented results:

• 99%+ approval rate across O-1, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and other categories
• 2-week document processing guarantee for case preparation—significantly faster than many providers
• Some cases filed in 4 weeks versus typical longer timelines at traditional providers
• Some client testimonials mention responses in minutes
• Multiple documented O-1, EB-1A, and EB-2 NIW approvals with client case studies

Envoy Global's results:

• Approval rates not publicly disclosed
• Processing timelines vary by case complexity
• Over 25 years of operational history
• Fortune 500 client experience

The speed difference in case preparation is crucial for companies facing competitive pressure. Extended wait times for case prep in today's fast-paced talent market can mean losing top candidates to competitors who move faster.

Technology and Platform Capabilities Define the Experience

Alma's technology-forward approach:

• AI/ML-powered workflows for petition drafting and evidence organization
• Real-time case tracking dashboards
• Proactive alerts and automated reminders
• HRIS support with Workday, BambooHR, ADP, UKG, and Rippling
• ATS support with Greenhouse and Lever
• Secure document vault with audit-ready records
• Employee-facing portal for document submission and communication
• Compliance monitoring features for immigration-impacting changes (salary, location, title)
• Visa eligibility screening capabilities

Envoy Global's platform capabilities:

• Case management platform
• Analytics and reporting
• Multi-country coordination tools
• Enterprise compliance features
• API availability for integrations

The execution philosophy difference is stark: Envoy Global manages complex global programs, while Alma delivers strategic wins through technology acceleration. For companies with existing HR systems and urgent hiring needs, the latter approach provides superior value.

Compliance and Audit Readiness for HR Teams

Immigration compliance represents a critical concern for HR and mobility teams managing foreign national employees.

Alma's compliance toolkit:

• Compliance monitoring features (varies by plan)
• Automatic expiration reminders for visa renewals
• Status monitoring across all active cases
• Audit-ready records with exportable logs
• Role-based access controls for HR teams
• Secure document vault with organized case files
• Proactive alerts for compliance-impacting changes
• Amendment tracking when employee data changes

Envoy Global's compliance features:

• Compliance monitoring tools
• Multi-jurisdiction tracking
• Enterprise-scale reporting
• Global program oversight capabilities

For companies focused on U.S. immigration compliance, Alma's dedicated toolkit provides deeper functionality than global platforms spread across 180+ countries. Concentrated expertise in U.S. immigration law means more robust compliance coverage where it matters most for American operations.

Integration and Implementation Support

Switching immigration providers or implementing new systems requires careful planning and support.

Alma's integration and implementation:

• White-glove migration from existing vendors (included in Growth & Enterprise plans)
• HRIS support with major platforms (Workday, BambooHR, ADP)
• ATS support for visa screening during hiring
• SSO (Single Sign-On) support
• Stripe payment integration
• Dedicated attorney and account manager for larger programs
• Implementation included—no additional setup fees

Envoy Global's integration approach:

• API availability
• Enterprise system integrations
• Custom implementation timelines
• Dedicated account teams for large programs

The migration process to Alma is designed for minimal disruption. Companies can complete active cases with their current provider while initiating new matters with Alma. The white-glove migration service includes case inventory review and document transfer to ensure continuity.

Why Alma Delivers Superior Value for U.S. Immigration

Companies and individuals pursuing U.S. work visas face unique challenges that make Alma the superior choice. Organizations don't need global infrastructure for domestic hiring—they need expert legal counsel, rapid case preparation, and cost predictability.

Key advantages of Alma's approach:

• Speed of execution: Delivers 2-week document processing for case preparation, providing faster turnaround than many traditional providers. This velocity matters immensely when competing for top talent.

• Cost transparency: Published flat-rate fees ($3,000-$10,000 per case) eliminate budget uncertainty compared to custom enterprise quotes. Companies know exactly what they'll pay before engagement.

• Approval success: 99%+ documented approval rate reduces refiling costs and delays. Near-elimination of denial-related expenses provides confidence in outcomes.

• Startup-friendly programs: Special pricing for Y Combinator, Techstars, and VC portfolio companies makes expert immigration accessible to early-stage companies that can't afford enterprise pricing.

• Technology acceleration: AI-powered workflows and HRIS/ATS support create efficiencies that traditional providers cannot match.

• Direct attorney access: Up to 3 free consultation calls per matter ensures strategic guidance from experienced immigration attorneys.

When Envoy Global might be appropriate:

• Companies with employees in multiple countries needing coordinated global immigration
• Large multinationals requiring worldwide business travel visa programs
• Organizations preferring established vendors with over 25 years of track records

However, for the majority of companies and individuals focused on U.S. employment immigration, Alma's combination of speed, transparency, technology, and expert legal services represents the evolved approach to immigration partnership that traditional enterprise providers cannot match.

Ready to experience immigration legal services reimagined? Explore Alma's solutions for individuals or learn about business immigration plans to see how transparent pricing and guaranteed speed can transform your immigration experience.