7 Best Firms for a Free EB-1A Eligibility Assessment in 2026

The question "Do I qualify for an EB-1A?" is one of the most consequential questions a high-skilled professional can ask. Answer it wrong, and you waste months preparing a petition that has no real path to approval. Answer it right, with honest legal input from an experienced attorney, and you have a clear view of which criteria you can satisfy, where your evidence is weak, and how to close the gap before you file.
This guide reviews the 7 best immigration law firms for an EB-1A eligibility assessment in 2026, including which of them offer that assessment free, what each firm evaluates, what it costs to move from assessment to filing, and how their processes differ. Alma ranks first because no other firm on this list combines attorney-led assessment, contractually binding SLAs, a 98%+ firmwide approval rate, and flat-rate pricing in a single engagement model built specifically for high-skilled talent.

Why a Free EB-1A Assessment Matters in 2026

An EB-1A assessment is not just a checklist exercise. USCIS applies a demanding two-step framework derived from the Kazarian standard: first, evaluating whether a petitioner has a one-time achievement in the form of a major internationally recognized award or meets at least 3 of the 10 regulatory criteria, and second, conducting a final merits determination to assess whether the totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim. Many petitions pass the first step and fail the second, often because the attorney did not explain why the evidence proves extraordinary ability, not just that it exists. A rigorous free assessment examines both steps and tells you where your profile actually stands before you invest thousands of dollars in a petition.

Four Reasons a Substandard Assessment Puts Your Case at Risk

• Generic criteria mapping: Some firms run through all 10 criteria in 30 minutes, check boxes, and declare you eligible without evaluating evidentiary quality or anticipating how a USCIS officer will weigh the record.
• No pathway planning: An honest assessment does not stop at EB-1A. If your profile is borderline, an experienced attorney should discuss whether EB-2 NIW or O-1A is a stronger near-term move.
• Missed RFE risk: Weak evidence in a criterion you plan to rely on creates RFE exposure. A good assessment surfaces this before filing, not six months later.
• No post-consult support: The gap between an initial call and case preparation matters. Firms that provide a summary, a timeline, and a clear next step give you the structure to move forward efficiently.

The firms reviewed below were selected because each provides attorney involvement in the evaluation process and a demonstrated track record on EB-1A cases. Alma, Colombo & Hurd, and Manifest Law publish free EB-1A consultations. Klasko and Murthy publish paid consultation rates, and BAL and Fragomen deliver individual EB-1A assessments primarily through corporate immigration programs.

What to Look for in a Firm Offering a Free EB-1A Eligibility Assessment

Not every free consultation is equally useful. The quality of the assessment depends on what the attorney actually evaluates, how honest they are about borderline profiles, and what happens after the call ends. Alma's evaluation of the firms on this list focuses on the criteria that matter most for a meaningful EB-1A assessment.

Seven Features That Separate a Good Assessment from a Generic Screening

• Attorney-led evaluation: The assessment should be conducted or directly supervised by a licensed immigration attorney, not a paralegal or intake coordinator.
• Criteria-specific evidence review: The attorney should examine actual achievements against each criterion you are likely to rely on, not just ask whether you have published papers or won awards.
• Final merits discussion: Any attorney familiar with Kazarian should explain that meeting 3 criteria is a threshold, not a finish line, and assess whether your record supports the final merits determination.
• Honest borderline guidance: The best consultations recommend an alternative pathway when EB-1A is premature, rather than encouraging a weak petition.
• Pathway comparison: A complete assessment covers whether EB-1A, EB-1B, or EB-2 NIW is the right category for your current profile.
• Post-consult summary: A written follow-up identifying your strongest criteria, evidence gaps, and a recommended next step adds real value beyond the call itself.
• Transparent pricing: You should leave the assessment knowing exactly what full representation will cost before you commit.

Alma checks every item on this list and goes further by backing the engagement with contractually binding, real-time, audit-logged SLAs that no tracked competitor appears to offer.

How High-Skilled Professionals Use EB-1A Assessments to Build Their Path to a Green Card

Alma's clients are founders, researchers, engineers, executives, artists, and athletes who have built distinguished careers and need to know whether that record translates into a viable EB-1A case. Here is how they typically use the assessment process to move from uncertainty to a filed petition.

Start with a profile audit against the 10 criteria:
Alma's AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine analyze a client's profile against all 10 USCIS criteria, surfacing the categories with the strongest evidentiary support and flagging where documentation is thin. Attorneys review this output directly and bring it into the consultation.

Identify the strongest 3 to 4 criteria:
Rather than trying to satisfy as many criteria as possible with thin evidence, Alma attorneys identify the 3 to 4 criteria where the client's record is objectively strongest and build the petition strategy around those, consistent with how USCIS evaluates the record holistically.

Assess the final merits narrative:
Even before filing, Alma attorneys draft a preliminary narrative of how the totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim. This step catches cases where criteria are technically met, but the overall record does not yet support the final merits determination.

Compare EB-1A against alternative pathways:
For clients whose EB-1A profile is borderline, Alma's assessment includes an explicit comparison with EB-2 NIW and O-1A. Clients leave with a recommendation on which category offers the strongest path, not just the most prestigious one.

Establish a case preparation timeline:
Once the pathway is confirmed, Alma guarantees a 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete, compared to the 4 weeks to 3 months typical at traditional law firms. This timeline is backed by a contractually binding SLA, not an estimate.

Provide real-time visibility from day one:
Every client has access to real-time case status through Alma's case management system, with action items, timelines, and updates visible at any time. There is no chasing attorneys for status updates.

Alma's combination of attorney-led evaluation, intelligent case analysis, binding preparation timelines, and transparent pricing makes the assessment process substantively different from the standard introductory call most firms offer.

Competitor Comparison: Free EB-1A Eligibility Assessments in 2026

The table below provides a quick comparison of each firm across the criteria that matter most for a free EB-1A eligibility assessment. It is designed to give professionals a fast read on how the key variables differ before reading the full profiles below.

Alma's contractually binding, real-time, audit-logged SLAs represent a differentiator that no tracked competitor appears to offer. Combined with a published 98%+ firmwide approval rate and flat-rate pricing, Alma is the only firm on this list that makes its commitments to clients enforceable before the engagement begins.

7 Best Firms for a Free EB-1A Eligibility Assessment in 2026

1. Alma

Alma is a modern immigration law firm founded in 2023 after experiencing firsthand how broken the traditional immigration process can be. Alma combines expert attorneys, an AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine, and end-to-end case ownership to deliver faster preparation, better outcomes, and complete visibility across every EB-1A case. With a 98%+ firmwide approval rate, an 86 NPS, and pricing typically 30 to 40% lower than traditional law firms, Alma is the clearest choice for founders, researchers, engineers, and executives seeking an honest, expert-led EB-1A assessment and a firm that can take the case to approval.

Key Features:

• AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine: Alma's AI layer analyzes each client's profile against all 10 USCIS EB-1A criteria, identifies the strongest qualifying evidence, and surfaces patterns from every prior approval and RFE across hundreds of prior cases to inform case strategy. Multiple layers of human attorney review apply to every case, and the technology supports attorneys rather than replacing them.
• Contractually Binding SLAs: Alma is the only firm on this list that backs its case preparation timelines with contractually binding, real-time, audit-logged SLAs with 99%+ adherence. The guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete contrasts directly with the 4 weeks to 3 months typical at traditional law firms.
• SOC 2 Type II Compliant: Alma is SOC 2 Type II compliant, meaning client data is managed under independently verified security controls.

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Free eligibility assessment conducted by a licensed attorney, covering all 10 USCIS criteria, the Kazarian two-step framework, and pathway comparison with EB-2 NIW and O-1A where relevant.
• Full EB-1A petition preparation including evidence strategy, expert letter coordination, narrative development, and I-140 filing, all within the guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete.
• Real-time case visibility through Alma's case management system, with status, timelines, and action items accessible at any point.

Pricing: Flat-rate pricing for EB-1A petition preparation, with no billable hours and no hidden costs. RFE responses and administrative costs are included in the engagement. Alma's pricing is typically 30 to 40% lower than comparable traditional law firms.

Pros:

• 98%+ firmwide approval rate across hundreds of prior cases
• Contractually binding SLAs with 99%+ adherence and real-time audit logging; no tracked competitor appears to offer this
• Guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete vs. 4 weeks to 3 months at traditional law firms
• Published flat-rate pricing with no billable hours or surprise invoices
• SOC 2 Type II compliance for data security
• 86 NPS, reflecting consistent client satisfaction
• Backed by Bling Capital, Village Global, Forerunner, and Silkroad Innovation Hub; team from Harvard Law, McKinsey, Cooley, and Uber
• Attorney-led from assessment to approval; technology supports but never replaces attorneys

Cons:

• Focused exclusively on employment-based immigration; family-based, humanitarian, and removal defense matters fall outside Alma's scope
• Best suited for startups through mid-market companies and individual professionals; not positioned as an enterprise global mobility program manager

Alma is a different kind of immigration law firm. Every EB-1A engagement starts with an attorney-led assessment of your actual profile against USCIS standards, and every filing is backed by commitments that traditional law firms do not make. If you are a high-skilled professional asking whether you qualify for an EB-1A, Alma's free consultation is designed to give you an honest answer and a clear path forward. Start your free EB-1A assessment with Alma.

2. Colombo & Hurd

Colombo & Hurd is an award-winning immigration law firm founded in 2006 that has grown to over 450 team members serving clients from more than 100 countries. Its AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and its recognition in the 2026 Chambers USA guide reflect a long track record of high-stakes immigration work, and its dedicated EB-1A team is one of the larger specialist practices in the U.S. The firm offers a free EB-1A profile assessment and serves researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, physicians, and executives across a wide range of industries and nationalities.

Key Features:

• Dedicated EB-1A team with experience in science, technology, business, medicine, arts, and athletics
• Former USCIS adjudicator on staff who helps align case preparation with actual officer evaluation practices
• Dedicated RFE department and federal litigation practice for challenging improper denials

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Free EB-1A profile evaluation
• Full petition preparation including evidence strategy, recommendation letter coordination, and I-140 filing
• Virtual consultations supporting clients across time zones and more than 100 countries

Pricing: Not published publicly. Prospective clients are directed to the free profile evaluation before pricing is discussed.

Pros:

• AV Preeminent rating and 2026 Chambers USA recognition
• Former USCIS adjudicator on staff
• Multilingual support and strong international client infrastructure
• Dedicated RFE department for post-filing challenges

Cons:

• Does not appear to publish pricing or fee structure publicly
• Does not appear to offer contractually binding SLAs or guaranteed preparation timelines
• Does not appear to publish a firmwide approval rate specific to EB-1A
• Broader firm scope may mean less focused specialization in startup and tech-company profiles

3. Manifest Law

Manifest Law is a technology-enabled immigration law firm that focuses on employment-based and extraordinary ability immigration for businesses and individuals, operating under Manifest OS as an Arizona alternative business structure. The firm publishes flat-rate pricing, offers a money-back guarantee on select plans, and has built a client-facing portal with real-time case tracking. Manifest reports that cases it handled which received a decision in the third calendar quarter of 2025 were approved at above 63%, compared with the USCIS EB-1A approval rate of 53.4% for July through September 2025, the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. The 63% figure is self-reported and covers a single quarter. The firm also runs the Extraordinary Ability Club, a community for professionals working toward O-1A and EB-1A visas, which gives prospective clients early access to evidence strategy resources before they commit to representation.

Key Features:

• Published flat-rate pricing for EB-1A starting at $8,995
• Money-back guarantee on select plans
• Second review by another attorney or a former USCIS officer, depending on the plan selected

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Free consultation covering eligibility across EB-1A, O-1A, and EB-2 NIW
• Full petition preparation with evidence strategy, expert letter coordination, and I-140 filing
• Real-time case tracking through a client-facing portal

Pricing: EB-1 services starting at $8,995, with money-back guarantees available on select plans.

Pros:

• Published flat-rate pricing with money-back guarantee
• Second-level review by another attorney or a former USCIS officer on higher-tier plans
• Real-time case tracking portal
• Extraordinary Ability Club community for pre-engagement profile building

Cons:

• Publishes only a self-reported EB-1A figure for a single quarter (63%+ in Q3 2025) rather than a firmwide approval rate
• Shorter operating track record than the more established firms on this list
• Does not appear to offer contractually binding SLAs
• Money-back guarantee terms and conditions apply and should be reviewed carefully

4. Klasko Immigration Law Partners

Klasko Immigration Law Partners is a Philadelphia-based boutique firm with a long-established reputation in EB-1 and EB-2 NIW practice. A significant part of the firm's practice is focused on extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher, and national interest categories. Klasko's EB-1 team includes technical writers dedicated to building narratives for complex research and academic profiles, making it a strong option for scientists, physicians, and academics pursuing the EB-1A classification. The firm offers paid initial consultations to assess eligibility across the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, published at $400 to $500 for 30 minutes depending on the attorney.

Key Features:

• Dedicated EB-1 team with technical writers for research and academic profiles
• Institutional referral network including 25+ universities and hospitals
• Long-established EB-1 practice with focus on high-complexity cases

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Paid initial consultation covering EB-1A extraordinary ability eligibility
• Full petition preparation with evidence strategy and I-140 filing
• Support for university, hospital, and research institution clients as well as individual professionals

Pricing: Publishes consultation rates of $400 to $500 for 30 minutes. Does not appear to publish petition fees, which are discussed after the initial consultation.

Pros:

• Highly regarded for academic, research, and scientific EB-1A profiles
• 25+ institutional referral relationships
• Deep EB-1 team with dedicated technical writers
• Long track record in extraordinary ability immigration

Cons:

• Does not appear to offer contractually binding SLAs or guaranteed preparation timelines
• Less oriented toward startup founders and tech-company professionals compared to Alma
• Broader firm portfolio may reduce focus relative to employment-based specialists

5. Murthy Law Firm

Murthy Law Firm is a well-established immigration practice headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, with a long history of handling EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions for scientists, researchers, technology professionals, and business executives. The firm regularly assists foreign nationals with self-sponsored EB-1A filings and offers consultations in which an attorney reviews credentials against the regulatory criteria and may assess eligibility across multiple self-petition categories simultaneously. Murthy has a broad readership through its MurthyBulletin newsletter, which tracks USCIS policy changes, including updates to EB-1 eligibility criteria and adjudication guidance, helping clients stay current on shifts in how USCIS evaluates extraordinary ability.

Key Features:

• Established EB-1A practice with experience across technology, science, and business fields
• Multi-category assessment approach, evaluating EB-1A and NIW eligibility in the same consultation
• Active policy monitoring through MurthyBulletin, keeping clients informed of adjudication changes

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Attorney consultation covering EB-1A criteria and final merits evaluation
• Full petition preparation and strategy development
• Multi-category submission where applicable to strengthen overall chances

Pricing: Publishes consultation fees of $250 to $350 for a 20-minute consultation, creditable toward legal fees in defined circumstances. Case pricing is not published publicly and is discussed after a consultation.

Pros:

• Long-established EB-1A practice with documented approvals
• Multi-category assessment approach adds flexibility
• Active USCIS policy monitoring through MurthyBulletin
• Attorney-to-client communication model

Cons:

• Does not appear to publish pricing or firmwide EB-1A approval rates publicly
• Does not appear to offer contractually binding SLAs or guaranteed preparation timelines
• Technology infrastructure does not appear to match newer firms' real-time client portals
• Post-consult structure does not appear to include written summaries or documented next steps as standard

6. Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL)

Berry Appleman & Leiden operates under a unified structure that delivers consistent standards across all offices. The firm's EB-1A capabilities are primarily delivered through its corporate immigration program, which means individual self-petitioners may receive less customized service than they would at a boutique or individual-focused firm. That said, BAL has dedicated attorneys with specific EB-1A, EB-1B, and NIW experience who can assess individual profiles during a consultation.

Key Features:

• Global corporate immigration infrastructure with 13 U.S. offices
• Dedicated attorneys with EB-1A, EB-1B, and NIW experience
• Chambers USA Band 1 recognition for immigration

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Individual consultations covering EB-1A extraordinary ability eligibility
• Full petition preparation within the firm's broader immigration program
• EB-1A services for individuals sponsored through employer programs

Pricing: Does not appear to publish a pricing model publicly. BAL pricing is determined based on employer program, case type, and scope.

Pros:

• Global infrastructure and Chambers USA Band 1 recognition
• Deep bench of experienced immigration attorneys
• Strong compliance and audit capabilities for enterprise clients
• 185+ country global coverage for internationally mobile professionals

Cons:

• Primarily oriented toward corporate clients and employer-sponsored programs; individual self-petitioners may receive less personalized service
• Does not appear to publish pricing or EB-1A-specific approval rates publicly
• Does not appear to offer contractually binding SLAs
• Individual EB-1A self-petitioners may find the firm's enterprise model less well suited to their needs compared to boutique alternatives

7. Fragomen

Fragomen  primarily serves multinational corporations running cross-border mobility programs, and its practice centers on high-volume employer-sponsored cases. Fragomen does handle EB-1A assessments and has attorneys experienced in extraordinary ability classification, but its primary service model is built around corporate program management rather than individual self-petition strategy. Individual professionals considering an EB-1A self-petition may find the firm's scale and focus a less natural fit compared to firms built around the individual applicant experience.

Key Features:

• Largest dedicated immigration law firm by headcount globally
• Global footprint with 70+ offices
• Attorneys experienced in EB-1, NIW, and O-1 extraordinary ability categories

EB-1A Specific Offerings:

• Attorney consultations covering EB-1A extraordinary ability eligibility
• Petition preparation within the firm's broader immigration program
• EB-1A services primarily accessed through corporate employer programs

Pricing: Does not appear to publish a pricing model publicly. Pricing is determined based on employer program, case type, and scope.

Pros:

• Unmatched global reach and institutional scale
• Deep attorney bench across all immigration categories
• Chambers USA and multiple industry award recognition
• Sophisticated compliance infrastructure for enterprise clients

Cons:

• Service model built for corporate programs; individual self-petitioners are not the primary client profile
• Does not appear to publish pricing or EB-1A-specific approval rates publicly
• Does not appear to offer contractually binding SLAs for individual petitions
• Less personalized engagement model relative to boutique and individual-focused firms

Evaluation Rubric for Free EB-1A Eligibility Assessments

The firms on this list were evaluated against the criteria most relevant to a professional asking "Do I qualify for an EB-1A, and which firm can assess my profile?" The rubric below reflects the dimensions that matter most for a high-quality eligibility assessment and downstream petition success.

Alma ranks first on approval rate, SLA accountability, and case visibility, and matches the strongest firms on this list on attorney-led assessment quality, pricing transparency, and post-consult support. The contractually binding SLA is a uniquely verifiable commitment. The 98%+ firmwide approval rate is backed by documented case data. Published flat-rate pricing removes pricing ambiguity before any client signs an engagement letter.

Why Alma Is the Best Firm for a Free EB-1A Eligibility Assessment in 2026

Every firm on this list offers a genuine EB-1A assessment and a track record of handling extraordinary ability petitions. What separates Alma is a combination of commitments that the others do not appear to match: a 98%+ firmwide approval rate, contractually binding preparation SLAs with 99%+ adherence backed by real-time audit logging, a guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete, flat-rate pricing with no billable hours, and SOC 2 Type II compliance for data security. Alma's AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine surface patterns from every prior approval and RFE across hundreds of prior cases to inform each new case, while multiple layers of human attorney review ensure the technology supports rather than replaces legal judgment. For founders, researchers, engineers, and executives who want a firm that can take the case through to approval with full accountability, Alma ranks first among the firms reviewed here.