- Alma achieves 99%+ approval rates for employment-based cases with guaranteed 2-week document processing turnaround
- USCIS approved 399,395 H-1B petitions in fiscal year 2024, with specialized firms securing higher success rates than general mobility providers
- Current PERM processing times average 472 days, making experienced labor certification attorneys essential for green card strategies
- Technology integration capabilities separate modern immigration platforms from traditional global mobility companies
- E-Verify maintains 99.87% accuracy rate, but compliance complexity requires specialized expertise to avoid penalties
Vialto Partners was created in 2022 when Clayton, Dubilier & Rice acquired PwC's Global Mobility Services business, establishing it as a global mobility powerhouse serving multinational corporations, but businesses increasingly seek specialized alternatives that combine employment immigration expertise with modern technology. Whether you're managing H-1B visa programs, pursuing extraordinary ability petitions, or building scalable immigration infrastructure, these seven Vialto alternatives deliver attorney-led solutions specifically engineered for complex business immigration needs.
1. Alma - Purpose-Built Technology Platform for Employment Immigration
Alma revolutionizes business immigration by combining elite immigration attorneys with proprietary AI technology, delivering unmatched results for companies sponsoring foreign talent. Unlike Vialto's broad global mobility approach, Alma focuses exclusively on U.S. employment visas and green cards, achieving industry-leading approval rates through strategic case positioning and meticulous preparation.
Advanced Platform Architecture Designed for Scale
Alma's technology infrastructure transforms immigration management from reactive filing to proactive program optimization. The platform delivers:
- Guaranteed 2-week document processing across all employment petition types
- Real-time compliance dashboards tracking visa expirations, amendment requirements, and renewal deadlines
- HRIS/ATS integration with Workday, BambooHR, Greenhouse, and major enterprise systems
- Automated audit trails maintaining comprehensive records for government inspections
- Role-based workflows coordinating HR teams, foreign nationals, and attorneys seamlessly
This technology foundation enables Alma to handle everything from startup visa programs to enterprise implementations managing thousands of cases, all while maintaining exceptional quality standards that traditional mobility firms cannot match.
Comprehensive Employment-Based Immigration Coverage
Where Vialto provides generalized global mobility services, Alma delivers deep expertise across critical U.S. employment categories:
High-Skilled Professional Visas:
- O-1 extraordinary ability petitions for executives, researchers, and specialized talent
- H-1B specialty occupation filings with lottery strategy optimization
- L-1 intracompany transfers including blanket petition management
- E-2 treaty investor visas for international entrepreneurs
- TN professional applications under USMCA
Employment-Based Green Card Excellence:
- EB-1A extraordinary ability permanent residence strategies
- EB-2 National Interest Waivers for STEM professionals
- PERM labor certification with DOL regulatory expertise
- EB-3 skilled worker applications for essential roles
Transparent, Scalable Pricing Architecture
Alma eliminates the opaque pricing models common in global mobility services through:
- Published flat-rate fees for all visa categories on the website
- Volume-based discounts for companies with multiple annual filings
- Special startup pricing through Y Combinator and Techstars partnerships
- Predictable budgeting with no hidden administrative charges
- Flexible payment structures supporting business cash flow needs
This pricing transparency, combined with superior technology and outcomes, positions Alma as the clear choice for companies serious about building world-class teams.
2. Ogletree Deakins - Large-Scale Business Immigration Practice
Ogletree Deakins operates one of the largest business immigration practices in the United States, providing comprehensive employment visa services alongside broader labor and employment law capabilities. Their immigration team focuses exclusively on corporate clients, handling temporary business visas, permanent residence applications, and I-9 compliance programs.
The firm's scale enables handling high-volume H-1B programs and complex PERM labor certifications, though their traditional law firm model lacks the technology advantages of modern platforms. While Ogletree excels at defensive strategies and government audit representation, businesses seeking efficient, transparent immigration processing often find better value with specialized technology-enabled alternatives.
Strengths and Service Limitations
Ogletree's business immigration practice provides:
- Comprehensive I-9 compliance programs with audit defense capabilities
- Multi-state employment authorization coordination
- Integration with broader employment law services
- Global immigration through strategic partnerships
However, their traditional structure creates limitations including extended processing timelines, hourly billing uncertainty, and limited technology integration compared to platforms like Alma's business solution.
3. Klasko Immigration Law Partners - EB-1 and O-1 Specialists
Klasko distinguishes itself through specialized teams dedicated to extraordinary ability cases, employing technical writers alongside attorneys to craft compelling EB-1 and O-1 petitions. This focused approach delivers strong results for researchers, executives, and specialized professionals pursuing these complex visa categories.
The firm's dedication to employment-based immigration avoids the distractions of family-based practice, ensuring deep expertise in business categories. Their technical writing capabilities prove particularly valuable for EB-1A extraordinary ability cases requiring sophisticated evidence presentation. However, their boutique size may limit capacity for large corporate programs requiring scalable solutions.
Specialized Expertise Areas
Klasko's employment immigration focus includes:
- Dedicated EB-1 teams with technical writers
- O-1 visa strategies for diverse industries
- National Interest Waiver positioning
- Physician immigration programs
4. Sidley Austin LLP - Global Law Firm with Immigration Practice
Sidley Austin maintains one of the largest Labor, Employment and Immigration practices globally, with over 30 lawyers providing business immigration services integrated with corporate transactions. Their immigration capabilities support complex M&A deals, international expansions, and enterprise mobility programs.
The firm's global reach and corporate law integration suit Fortune 500 companies requiring comprehensive legal services beyond immigration. However, immigration represents just one component of their broader practice, potentially limiting specialized focus compared to dedicated immigration firms. Their premium billing rates reflect large-firm overhead rather than immigration-specific value.
Corporate Integration Advantages
Sidley's immigration practice excels at:
- M&A due diligence including immigration compliance assessment
- Executive transfers for multinational corporations
- Integration with corporate transactions
- Multi-jurisdictional coordination
5. Duane Morris LLP - Employment and Immigration Services
Duane Morris provides employment-based immigration services through their Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration practice, offering business visas, employment-based green cards, and compliance consulting. The firm combines immigration expertise with broader employment law capabilities, valuable for companies facing complex workforce issues.
Their immigration attorneys handle standard business immigration matters including H-1B, L-1, and PERM applications. While competent at routine filings, the firm lacks the specialized technology and focused expertise of dedicated immigration platforms. Companies seeking innovative solutions and transparent pricing often find better alternatives with modern providers.
Service Scope and Limitations
Duane Morris immigration services cover:
- Standard employment visa filings
- PERM labor certifications
- I-9 compliance programs
- Government audit response
The firm's traditional model results in longer processing times and less predictable costs compared to technology-enabled alternatives like Alma's growth solution.
6. Cozen O'Connor - Immigration Policy & Strategy Practice
Cozen O'Connor's Immigration Policy & Strategy practice provides business immigration solutions, multinational mobility programs, and Form I-9/E-Verify compliance services. The firm positions itself as a strategic advisor for complex immigration challenges, particularly valuable for companies facing regulatory scrutiny.
Their immigration team handles employment-based petitions while maintaining expertise in compliance and enforcement defense. Given that E-Verify covered 42.5 million cases in FY 2021 with increasing audit activity, this defensive capability provides value. However, routine immigration processing through traditional law firm structures often proves less efficient than modern alternatives.
7. Dickinson Wright - Cross-Border Business Immigration
Dickinson Wright operates as a full-service business immigration firm with offices across the United States and Canada, specializing in employment-based visas and workplace compliance. Their cross-border expertise particularly benefits companies with North American operations requiring USMCA/USMCA professional mobility.
The firm handles standard employment immigration categories while providing strategic counsel on program development. Their geographic footprint supports multi-state compliance requirements, though their technology capabilities lag behind purpose-built immigration platforms. Companies prioritizing efficiency and transparency increasingly choose modern alternatives over traditional regional firms.
Cross-Border Specialization
Dickinson Wright's immigration practice features:
- U.S.-Canada mobility under USMCA
- TN visa expertise for professionals
- Multi-jurisdictional employment authorization
- Border compliance strategies
Evaluating Business Immigration Providers Beyond Global Mobility
Selecting an immigration partner requires assessing specific business needs beyond general mobility services. While Vialto Partners offers comprehensive global solutions, specialized U.S. immigration demands focused expertise, modern technology, and transparent execution.
Technology Integration Requirements
Modern immigration programs demand seamless HRIS integration enabling automated data flow, compliance monitoring, and real-time reporting. Traditional mobility companies often rely on manual processes and email communication, creating inefficiencies and compliance risks. Technology-enabled platforms reduce administrative burden while improving accuracy and speed.
Processing Time Realities Demand Expertise
With PERM applications averaging 472 days for analyst review, choosing experienced counsel becomes critical. Firms with dedicated PERM expertise anticipate delays, prepare audit-ready applications, and achieve higher certification rates.
Compliance Complexity Continues Escalating
Government enforcement intensifies with I-9 violations triggering penalties ranging from hundreds to thousands per violation. Professional immigration partners provide proactive compliance programs, regular audits, and defensive strategies protecting against costly penalties. This risk mitigation often exceeds cost differences between basic mobility services and specialized immigration counsel.
Industry-Specific Immigration Considerations
Different sectors face unique immigration challenges requiring specialized expertise beyond general mobility services:
Technology and Startup Ecosystems
High-growth technology companies need partners understanding the urgency of securing international talent. With 141,205 initial H-1B approvals in fiscal year 2024 against much higher demand, having backup strategies becomes essential. Alma's startup plan provides specialized support for founders and early employees through strategic visa selection.
Healthcare and Research Institutions
Medical facilities and research organizations require expertise in physician immigration, J-1 waivers, and cap-exempt H-1B filings. The intersection of immigration law with medical licensing and credentialing demands specialized knowledge beyond standard business immigration or general mobility services.
Financial Services and Consulting
Professional services firms managing global talent rotation need efficient L-1 blanket petition management, E-3 strategies for Australian professionals, and expedited processing for time-sensitive transfers. Modern platforms provide the speed and transparency these industries demand.
Building Resilient Immigration Programs
Successful companies develop immigration strategies extending beyond individual cases to comprehensive talent acquisition programs:
- Diversified visa portfolios reducing single-category dependency
- Proactive green card strategies initiated early in employment
- Compliance infrastructure preventing violations and penalties
- Technology adoption enabling program scalability
- Strategic partnerships with specialized immigration counsel
The immigration landscape continues evolving with regulatory changes and extended processing times, making partner selection increasingly critical for business success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vialto Partners, recently spun off from PwC, provides global mobility services including tax compliance, immigration support, and relocation management. However, for U.S. employment immigration specifically, specialized alternatives like Alma offer deeper expertise, faster processing, and technology advantages. Vialto's broad mobility focus often means less specialization in complex employment visa categories compared to dedicated immigration platforms.
Immigration-focused providers typically deliver higher approval rates, faster processing, and deeper regulatory expertise than general mobility companies. For example, Alma's 99%+ approval rate and guaranteed 2-week document processing specifically for employment visas exceeds what broad mobility providers achieve. Full-service companies may offer convenience for global relocations but often lack the specialized expertise critical for complex U.S. immigration cases.
Global mobility companies typically bundle services with opaque pricing, while specialized immigration providers offer transparent, category-specific fees. Alma's pricing ranges from $3,000 for H-1B filings to $10,000 for EB-1 applications, clearly published online. Traditional mobility companies often charge percentage-based fees or retainers that can significantly exceed actual service value, particularly for straightforward immigration cases.
For U.S. employment immigration specifically, technology platforms like Alma's business solution often surpass traditional providers through automation, transparency, and efficiency. While physical relocation services may still require traditional providers, immigration processing benefits tremendously from modern platforms offering real-time tracking, automated compliance, and integrated workflows that mobility companies cannot match.
USCIS expertise proves absolutely critical, particularly given complex regulations and extended processing times. Specialized immigration firms understand USCIS adjudication patterns, evidence requirements, and response strategies that general mobility providers often lack. With 258,190 H-1B continuing employment petitions processed annually, experienced counsel familiar with USCIS preferences achieves significantly higher approval rates than generalist providers.
Pegah Karimabakhsh Asli is an Associate Attorney at Alma, where she advises startups, founders, and enterprise clients on a wide range of employment-based immigration matters. She has extensive experience preparing and filing petitions across key categories, including TN, H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-1, NIW, and Adjustment of Status (AOS), and provides strategic counsel to clients navigating complex immigration pathways.
Before joining Alma, Pegah worked at Fragomen in Silicon Valley, where she supported multinational corporations and high-growth companies with business immigration strategy and case management.
Jihan (Jina Hassan) Merlin is an Immigration Attorney and Head of Immigration Strategy at Alma, where she leads efforts to build smarter, faster, and more human immigration solutions. With over a decade of experience advising individuals, startups, and Fortune 100 companies, she combines legal expertise with technology to design scalable immigration programs. A graduate of Boston College Law School, Jihan is passionate about innovation in process and improving every stage of the immigration journey.
Want to fast-track your immigration journey?
.jpg)
