What is Alma Immigration?

Alma Immigration is a venture-backed LegalTech startup that combines expert immigration attorneys with AI-powered technology to streamline U.S. immigration legal services. Founded by immigrants who understand the challenges firsthand, Alma specializes in work visas (O-1, H-1B, L-1, TN, E-2, E-3) and employment-based green cards (EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW, PERM). Backed by leading VCs including Bling Capital, Forerunner, Village Global, NFX, Conviction, MVP Ventures, NEA, and Silkroad Innovation Hub, Alma was featured in A16Z's top 50 AI startups report. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

What visa types does Alma help with?

Alma helps with temporary work visas including O-1A (Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Business, Education, Athletics), O-1B (Extraordinary Achievement in Arts, Motion Picture, Television), H-1B (Specialty Occupation), L-1A (Intracompany Transfer for Managers), L-1B (Intracompany Transfer for Specialized Knowledge), TN (NAFTA/USMCA Professional), E-2 (Treaty Investor), E-3 (Australian Specialty Occupation), and H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore). For permanent residency, Alma assists with employment-based green cards including EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability), EB-1B (Outstanding Professor/Researcher), EB-1C (Multinational Manager/Executive), EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB-2 PERM, and EB-3 PERM.

How much does Alma charge for O-1 visa applications?

Alma charges a flat fee of $8,000 for new O-1 visa applications. This includes petition preparation, attorney guidance, and responses to Requests for Evidence (RFE). O-1 extensions, changes of employer, and amendments are $3,000 each. Agent fees for O-1 (if needed) are $1,000. This pricing is transparent with no hidden costs. USCIS filing fees (approximately $530-$830 depending on employer size plus asylum fee) and optional premium processing ($2,805 for 15 business day response) are paid separately to the government. Special pricing is available for founders of partner VCs and accelerators such as Y Combinator.

What is Alma's approval rate for visa applications?

Alma maintains a 99%+ approval rate for visa applications. This high success rate is achieved through hand-picked attorneys with deep specialization in talent visas, meticulous petition preparation using AI-assisted document processing, and comprehensive evidence packages that demonstrate extraordinary ability. The approval rate covers O-1, H-1B, L-1, and other visa categories. Note: Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.

How long does it take Alma to process visa documents?

Alma guarantees a 2-week turnaround time for document processing. Some cases have been completed and filed with USCIS in as little as 4 weeks from initial engagement. After filing, USCIS processing time varies: standard processing for O-1 and H-1B typically takes 2-6 months, while premium processing ($2,805) guarantees a government response within 15 business days. Green card processing times vary by category and country of birth.

Does Alma offer a free consultation?

Yes, Alma offers completely free immigration consultations with no obligation. During the consultation, you'll speak with an immigration expert who will assess your background, evaluate visa eligibility, and provide personalized recommendations for pathways like O-1, H-1B, or green cards based on your specific situation. Book your free consultation at tryalma.com/get-started or tryalma.com/contact-us.

Alma (Almaca, Inc.) is not a law firm. Alma is a LegalTech platform that connects clients with independent immigration attorneys. All legal services are provided by licensed immigration attorneys contracted through Alma Legal Services, P.C. Communications with Alma's technology platform are governed by their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, while legal communications with attorneys are covered by attorney-client privilege once you engage legal representation. Alma is SOC 2 Type I compliant for data security.

What makes Alma different from traditional immigration law firms?

Alma differentiates itself through three core values: Speed (2-week guaranteed document turnaround vs. months at traditional firms), Excellence (99%+ approval rate with hand-picked attorneys specialized in talent visas), and Care (personalized support from founders who experienced immigration themselves). Key differences include: AI-powered technology for faster, more accurate processing; transparent flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs; direct attorney communication (not just paralegals); RFE responses included in fees; one free refile for Growth/Enterprise clients if denied; real-time case tracking through a secure platform; and white-glove migration from existing vendors.

Does Alma help with green card applications?

Yes, Alma specializes in employment-based green cards for permanent U.S. residency. Services include: EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability - self-petition, no employer needed) at $10,000; EB-1B (Outstanding Researcher) at $10,000; EB-1C (Multinational Manager) at $10,000; EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver - self-petition) at $10,000; PERM Labor Certification at $8,000; I-140 (PERM-based) at $4,000; and Adjustment of Status bundle (I-485, I-765, I-131) at $2,000 per adult. Clients with an approved O-1 visa receive discounted green card pricing at $7,000 for EB-1A or EB-2 NIW.

How do I get started with Alma?

Getting started with Alma is a 5-step process: 1) Book a free consultation at tryalma.com/get-started to discuss your goals with an immigration expert; 2) Receive a case assessment from an attorney who evaluates eligibility and outlines evidence needed; 3) Sign the engagement agreement and pay via Stripe (ACH or credit card); 4) Upload documents to Alma's secure platform with a tailored checklist; 5) Your attorney prepares and files your petition with USCIS, with real-time tracking. The process from consultation to USCIS filing can be as fast as 4 weeks.

What happens if my visa application is denied or receives an RFE?

Alma's flat fees include Response to Request for Evidence (RFE) at no additional cost. If USCIS requests more information, your attorney prepares a comprehensive response included in your original fee. For Growth and Enterprise business clients, Alma also includes one free refile in case of initial denial or comprehensive RFE. This policy reflects Alma's confidence in their 99%+ approval rate and commitment to your success.

Does Alma offer immigration services for businesses?

Yes, Alma offers comprehensive immigration programs for businesses of all sizes: Startup tier (0-25 foreign nationals) with standard per-visa pricing; Growth tier (26-250 foreign nationals) with custom pricing, compliance tracking, and bi-weekly status calls; Enterprise tier (250+ foreign nationals) with enterprise-grade features, dedicated immigration manager, and green card pipeline visibility. Business features include: proactive compliance alerts, cost projections and dashboards, white-glove migration from existing vendors, and real-time visibility into spend and approval rates.

What documents do I need for an O-1 visa application?

For an O-1 visa application, you typically need: evidence of extraordinary ability in your field (awards, publications, judging experience, original contributions, high salary, etc.); a valid passport; resume/CV; recommendation letters from experts in your field; an itinerary of your planned activities in the U.S.; and a sponsoring employer or agent. Alma provides a tailored checklist through their platform and guides you through each USCIS criterion to build the strongest possible case.

Can startup founders apply for O-1 visas through Alma?

Yes, Alma specializes in O-1A visas for startup founders. To self-petition, founders typically form a U.S. business entity (C-Corp or LLC) and establish a genuine employer-employee relationship with a board of directors overseeing the founder's role. Alma has helped numerous founders achieve O-1 approval, including those who had previously been denied or faced immigration challenges. Founders backed by partner VCs and accelerators like Y Combinator may qualify for special pricing.

Is Alma secure? How is my data protected?

Alma takes data security seriously. Almaca, Inc. is SOC 2 Type I compliant and in observation period for SOC 2 Type II certification. All documents uploaded to the Alma platform are encrypted and stored securely. Payments are processed through Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor. You can view Alma's trust and compliance documentation at trust.tryalma.com.

Hire the best talent. We'll handle immigration.

Alma is an immigration law firm for companies and individuals that delivers better outcomes, faster. Our expert attorneys lead every case, and you have complete visibility and control with our platform.

Get started

Active cases

Name

Status

Current Milestone

Priya S.

H-1B transfer

In Progress

RFE response filed

Jorge M.

O-1A

In Review

Attorney review

Aiko T.

Green card (EB-2)

In Progress

PERM posting

Liam K.

TN renewal

Approved

Case closed

BUILT FOR individuals & GROWING ORGANIZATIONS

The most effective immigration solution

Whether you’re hiring talent or applying for a visa, Alma
handles every step.

For businesses

Hiring immigrant talent?

Alma runs immigration end-to-end, so your team can hire faster.

Learn more →

For individuals

Applying for a visa?

Alma guides you to the strongest path and get you the best results, quickly.

Explore visas →

Why Alma

A better way to run immigration

Traditional law firms rely on outdated portals, spreadsheets, and reactive workflows. The result is inconsistent service and too much time spent chasing updates just to keep cases moving.

Alma changes that. We combine expert legal support with a system that keeps every case moving, flags risk early, and gives you clear visibility at every step.

For Businesses

Stop managing immigration

From filing to approval, Alma acts as your dedicated immigration team. You get better outcomes, ownership, clarity, and control.

01 Strategy

Smarter strategy. Higher approval rates.

Start with the right visa path so cases move faster and get approved with fewer issues.

Insights from thousands of cases help you get better outcomes
A dedicated legal team that goes deep on your case
Stronger filings, fewer delays, and higher approval rates

Pathway analysis · Priya S.

O-1AExtraordinary Ability

Recommended

EB-1ASelf-Petition

Strong

EB-2 NIWNational Interest

Strong

H-1BCap Subject

Backup

L-1AManager Transfer

Not eligible

02 Execution

Cases that keep moving

Alma combines attorney-led execution with structured workflows that proactively move cases forward from start to approval.

We own it all, from initial assessment through approval
Attorneys actively drive progress and resolve blockers quickly
Tight SLAs and proactive updates keep cases moving without chasing

Case timeline · O-1A

✓Intake & strategy callDay 1

✓Evidence collectedDay 4

●Petition draftingDay 9

4Attorney reviewDay 12

5Filing & confirmationDay 14

03 Experience

Confidence at every step

Employees and teams always know where cases stand and what’s next. Check the platform anytime for clear updates, timelines, and action items.

Real-time visibility into status, timelines, and progress
One place for documents, messages, and updates
Clear communication and support throughout the process

Cases · Q2 2026

Live

Active cases

98%

Approval rate

Priya S. · O-1A

Approved

Marco D. · EB-2 NIW

In review

Lin W. · L-1B

Filing

Coverage

All the visas you need, with
the best results

From first filing to permanent residency, we manage the full process across all major pathways.

Immigrant Visas

Your path to permanent residency

EB-1C

EB-2 NIW EB-2 PERM EB-3

Non-Immigrant Visas

Strategic pathways for your next chapter

E-2 E-3 H-1B L-1A L-1B O-1A O-1B TN

Not sure which visa is right? We'll guide you to the strongest option.

Get started

Customer Voices

A true extension of your team

“

I would recommend Alma particularly to startups that are looking to continue to grow and expand their hiring and want to invest in international talent long term.

Rachel Krah

Head of People, Instalily

“

Having a partner like Alma that truly understands those dynamics and helps make the process clear and manageable has been hugely valuable for us.

Rowan

Co-Founder & CEO, Ekho

“

Alma is more than just a legal service provider; they are a trusted partner and true extension of our team. We couldn't imagine navigating immigration without their support.

Superpower

By the Numbers

Outcomes you can count on

Faster approvals, fewer delays, and less work for your team

Approval

98%+

Approval rates across hundreds of cases. Past success doesn’t guarantee future outcomes.

Speed

~2 weeks

Case preparation timeline once evidence is collected, vs 4–6 weeks with traditional firms.

satisfaction

86 NPS

Feel supported and confident through every step.

Customer voices

For individuals, this is personal

“

My O-1A talent visa was approved in just 12 days… I only had to provide my information, and Alma handled everything else.

Azamat Khamidov

PointAI

“

Their team is super responsive and really knows their stuff. They took my achievements and turned them into a killer application.

Temirulan Mussayev

Deep Infra Inc.

“

Today, it became official. The US now calls me an ‘extraordinary individual.’

Eric Lay

Virio Labs

For businesses

Hiring immigrant talent?

Alma runs immigration end-to-end, so your team can hire faster.

Learn more →

For individuals

Applying for a visa?

Alma guides you to the strongest path and get you the best results, quickly.

Explore visas →

Alma is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Nothing on this website, including any guides, resources, or other materials, should be construed as legal advice. Blank immigration forms and related instructions are available for free on the USCIS website. Communications with Alma are governed by our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service and are not protected by the attorney-client privilege. Alma exclusively partners with Alma Legal Services, P.C. to facilitate the provision of legal services. All legal services are provided solely by Alma Legal Services, P.C. pursuant to a separate attorney-client agreement.

Hire the best talent. We'll handle immigration.

The most effective immigration solution

Hiring immigrant talent?

Applying for a visa?

A better way to run immigration

Stop managing immigration

Smarter strategy. Higher approval rates.

Cases that keep moving

Confidence at every step

All the visas you need, with the best results

Immigrant Visas

Non-Immigrant Visas

A true extension of your team

Outcomes you can count on

For individuals, this is personal

Hiring immigrant talent?

Applying for a visa?

All the visas you need, with
the best results