7 Best Firms for Deciding Between an EB-2 NIW and EB-1A in 2026

Alma compares the 7 best firms for deciding between EB-2 NIW and EB-1A in 2026, ranked on real track records and attorney-led guidance, so you can find the strongest path to a U.S. green card.

Choosing between an EB-2 NIW and an EB-1A is not just a question of eligibility. It is a strategic decision that shapes your priority date, your visa bulletin exposure, and the strength of the petition you ultimately file. The wrong framing at this stage can cost years. The right firm helps you see both pathways clearly before committing to either one.

This guide ranks 7 providers that actively handle both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions and can genuinely advise you on which path fits your profile. Five are conventional law firms. Manifest Law and Beyond Border Global work with networks of independent attorneys (noted in their profiles). Alma leads the list because it is the only firm in this guide that combines attorney-led strategy, contractually binding and audit-logged SLAs, and a 98%+ firmwide approval rate into a single end-to-end engagement. The other 6 firms are evaluated fairly, with their genuine strengths and limitations noted.

Why Choosing Between EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Requires Specialized Guidance

The EB-1A and EB-2 NIW are the 2 self-petition green card categories available to high-skilled professionals who do not want to depend on employer sponsorship. Both lead to permanent residency. Both skip the PERM labor certification requirement. But the legal standards, evidentiary burdens, and priority date realities are meaningfully different, and the wrong choice for your specific profile can result in a denial, a lengthy retrogression wait, or both.

The Core Differences That Make This Decision Consequential

• Evidentiary standard: The EB-1A requires proof of extraordinary ability, meaning sustained national or international acclaim. Petitioners qualify either through a one-time achievement in the form of a major internationally recognized award, or by satisfying at least 3 of the 10 regulatory criteria, followed in both cases by a final merits determination. The EB-2 NIW requires proof that your work has substantial merit and national importance under the Dhanasar three-prong test, a standard that does not require you to be at the very top of your field.
• Priority date and visa bulletin exposure: The EB-1 is a first-preference category and is current for all chargeability areas except China-mainland and India in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin. The EB-2 carries a separate, second-preference queue that is heavily backlogged for those same countries: EB-2 China sits at a September 2021 final action date and EB-2 India is listed as unavailable. Check the current bulletin before relying on any date.
• Approval rate trends in 2026: Approval rates in both categories have fallen well below historical levels and shift quarter to quarter. Experienced counsel tracks USCIS Form I-140 data as it is published.
• RFE exposure: Historically, EB-1A petitions have tended to attract more RFEs than EB-2 NIW petitions, though 2026 adjudication data shows RFE rates in both categories are converging - so the gap should not be treated as a settled or permanent distinction.
• Dual-filing strategy: Some applicants benefit from filing both simultaneously, locking in an earlier priority date through the NIW while pursuing the EB-1A for its visa bulletin advantages.

Finding a firm that can genuinely assess both pathways and explain the tradeoffs for your specific background is the most important first step. The firms on this list all meet that baseline requirement.

What to Look for in a Firm for Deciding Between EB-2 NIW and EB-1A

Not every immigration firm is equipped to help you make this decision well. Many handle only one category fluently, or they recommend a path based on what they file most often rather than what serves your profile. When evaluating firms for this specific decision, the criteria below matter most.

Features to Evaluate When Selecting a Firm for EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Pathway Decisions

• Genuine dual-category depth: The firm should be actively filing and winning both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions, with results reflected somewhere beyond a practice area page.
• Transparent track record: Look for firms that publish verifiable approval data, not just marketing claims, so you can assess their actual performance against USCIS adjudication trends.
• Attorney-led strategy from day one: The pathway assessment should come from a licensed attorney who understands the evidentiary standards for both categories.
• Contractual accountability: Firms that bind themselves to SLAs and timelines in writing give you recourse if service quality slips. This is rare in the industry.
• Pricing transparency: Billable-hour models make it hard to predict total cost. Flat-rate pricing tied to specific deliverables gives you a clearer picture.
• Case visibility: You should be able to track your case status in real time, with updates delivered proactively rather than on request.
• RFE response capability: Both categories carry RFE risk. A firm that treats RFE response as an add-on, or charges separately for it, is shifting risk to you at the worst possible moment.

Alma checks all of these boxes. The sections below explain how Alma compares to 6 other firms that are competitive in this space.

How High-Skilled Professionals Use Alma to Navigate the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Decision

Alma's clients include researchers, engineers, founders, executives, and other professionals who are choosing a self-petition green card pathway or managing an active petition through to approval. Here is how they use Alma across the key stages of this process.

Initial pathway assessment:
Alma's attorneys evaluate both the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW against a client's actual background, evidence, and visa bulletin exposure before recommending a direction. For applicants born in India or China, the priority date analysis alone can shift the decision significantly.

Evidence gap analysis:
For EB-1A petitions, Alma maps the client's credentials against all 10 USCIS criteria and identifies which 3 or more can be satisfied with the strongest evidence. For EB-2 NIW petitions, attorneys build the Dhanasar three-prong argument from the client's actual work, not a generic template.

Case preparation within a guaranteed 2-week window:
After evidence collection is complete, Alma prepares the petition within 2 weeks. Traditional law firms typically take 4 weeks to 3 months for the same stage. This timeline is guaranteed by contract, not offered as an aspiration.

Contractually binding, audit-logged SLAs:
Alma's SLAs are contractually binding, with a deadline and delivery commitment at every step of the visa process, live on the platform with a full audit log visible to clients in real time and backed by 99%+ SLA adherence.

AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine support:
Alma's AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine supports attorneys with case intelligence drawn from hundreds of prior cases, helping identify evidentiary patterns and adjudication trends. Multiple layers of human attorney review apply to every case. Technology supports the attorneys; it does not replace them.

End-to-end ownership:
Alma handles the case from the initial pathway conversation through filing, with real-time case visibility, centralized documents, and attorney-led communication at every stage. Clients do not hand off their case to a paralegal after the strategy call.

This model is why Alma maintains a 98%+ firmwide approval rate and an 86 NPS, both published without qualification.

Competitor Comparison: Firms for Deciding Between EB-2 NIW and EB-1A

The table below gives a quick reference across the 7 firms evaluated in this guide. All data is sourced from each firm's own public website or publicly available information.

Alma is the only modern immigration law firm in this comparison that publishes contractually binding, audit-logged SLAs and a guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete. Reach out to Alma to get started.

7 Best Firms for Deciding Between an EB-2 NIW and EB-1A in 2026

1. Alma

Alma is a modern immigration law firm that combines expert attorneys, end-to-end ownership, and a technology layer to deliver stronger outcomes, faster execution, and complete visibility across every case. For professionals deciding between EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, Alma offers a combination the other firms in this guide do not: a structured, attorney-led pathway assessment backed by a 98%+ firmwide approval rate and a guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete.

Alma also publishes contractually binding SLAs, with a deadline and delivery commitment at every step of the visa process, live on the platform with a full audit log visible to clients in real time and backed by 99%+ SLA adherence. Alma's team comes from Harvard Law, McKinsey, Cooley, and Uber. The firm is backed by Bling Capital, Village Global, Forerunner, and Silkroad Innovation Hub. Alma is SOC 2 Type II compliant and has an NPS of 86.

Key Features:

• Attorney-led dual-pathway assessment: Alma's attorneys evaluate both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW against your actual credentials, visa bulletin exposure, and long-term strategy before recommending a direction.
• AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine: Case intelligence drawn from hundreds of prior cases supports attorney strategy and identifies evidentiary patterns. Multiple layers of human attorney review apply to every case.
• Contractual SLA accountability: Alma's SLAs are contractually binding, with a deadline and delivery commitment at every step of the visa process, live on the platform with a full audit log visible to clients in real time and backed by 99%+ SLA adherence.

EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Specific Offerings:

• EB-1A petitions for extraordinary ability professionals, including founders, engineers, researchers, and executives
• EB-2 NIW self-petitions for professionals whose work advances national interests in STEM, business, healthcare, and related fields
• Dual-filing strategy analysis for applicants who may benefit from filing both categories simultaneously

Pricing: Flat-rate pricing for EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, and EB-2 NIW petitions. Fees include attorney expertise, paralegal support, platform access, compliance tracking, and RFE and NOID responses. No billable hours, no hidden costs.

Pros:

• 98%+ firmwide approval rate, consistently published
• Guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete, versus 4 weeks to 3 months at traditional law firms
• Contractually binding SLAs with a deadline and delivery commitment at every step of the visa process, live on the platform with a full audit log visible to clients in real time and backed by 99%+ SLA adherence (a differentiator among the firms in this guide)
• Flat-rate pricing with no surprise charges
• SOC 2 Type II compliant, relevant for professionals and companies with data security requirements
• 86 NPS, reflecting strong client satisfaction
• AI-powered platform and case intelligence engine provides case-level insight without removing attorney judgment
• End-to-end attorney-led ownership from pathway assessment through filing

Cons:

• Alma does not handle family-based immigration, asylum, or deportation defense
• Alma's model is only built for high-skilled professionals, founders, and companies

Alma is the standard for professionals who need a clear, accountable, attorney-led process for one of the most consequential immigration decisions they will make. Get started with Alma.

2. WeGreened (North America Immigration Law Group / Chen Immigration Law Associates)

WeGreened, operating as North America Immigration Law Group and Chen Immigration Law Associates, is a nationwide law firm that specializes in EB-1 and EB-2 NIW petitions. It publishes category-level approval data and offers an Approval or Refund guarantee on eligible cases.

Key Features:

• Approval or Refund guarantee as a contractual term in the retainer for eligible cases
• Custom-drafted petition letters and recommendation letters, no templates

Pricing: Flat-fee structure; does not appear to publish specific pricing on the public website and requires a consultation to obtain. RFE response is included at no extra charge for eligible cases.

Pros:

• Category-level approval data published publicly
• Approval or Refund guarantee is contractually binding on eligible cases

Cons:

• Does not appear to publish specific pricing without a consultation, which makes upfront cost comparison difficult
• Does not appear to offer real-time case tracking through a client portal
• The firm's primary strength appears to be research and academic profiles; industry professionals may find the intake process less tailored to non-research backgrounds

3. Manifest Law

Manifest Law is a growing immigration law firm that handles EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions with a tiered flat-fee model and a notable process feature. The firm has built out a content-heavy educational presence and uses proprietary software to monitor USCIS approval trends.

Key Features:

• Tiered flat-fee pricing across Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans with clearly published rates
• Minimum two-attorney review on every case
• Ex-USCIS officer petition review available as an add-on or on the Platinum plan

EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Specific Offerings:

• EB-2 NIW petitions with separate pathways for researchers and non-researchers
• EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions
• Step-up strategy guidance for professionals pursuing NIW first and EB-1A later

Pricing: EB-2 NIW starts at $8,995 on the Silver plan, with tiered options up to approximately $14,975 on the Platinum plan. Payment plans up to 6 months are available. Money-back or free refile guarantee applies on Gold and Platinum plans for denial cases. EB-1A starts from $8,995.

Pros:

• Published tiered pricing with clear plan-level differences
• Money-back guarantee on higher-tier plans adds risk protection
• Two-attorney review structure on every case
• Ex-USCIS officer review available as an additional check on adjudication readiness
• Strong content resources for applicants researching the NIW-to-EB-1A strategy

Cons:

• Does not appear to publish a firmwide approval rate as a single verifiable figure
• Does not appear to publish case preparation timelines
• Does not appear to offer contractual SLAs
• Does not appear to extend the money-back guarantee on denial to the Silver plan

4. Colombo & Hurd

Colombo & Hurd is a Florida-based immigration law firm founded in 2006. The firm specializes in self-sponsored green card pathways, with a particular emphasis on EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions. A former USCIS adjudicator is on staff, which the firm positions as an inside-view advantage on how cases are evaluated.

Key Features:

• Former USCIS adjudicator on staff providing an insider adjudication perspective
• Dedicated RFE department with specialized handling for complex petition challenges

EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Specific Offerings:

• EB-2 NIW petitions for advanced-degree professionals and exceptional ability candidates
• EB-1A petitions for extraordinary ability professionals across science, technology, business, and other fields
• EB-5 investor visa services alongside self-petition categories

Pricing: Does not appear to publish specific EB-2 NIW and EB-1A pricing on the firm's public website and requires a consultation.

Pros:

• Former USCIS adjudicator on staff is a genuine differentiator for understanding officer behavior
• Dedicated RFE response team reduces the risk of post-filing disruption
• Broad case acceptance across professional disciplines, including non-research profiles

Cons:

• Does not appear to publish the pricing publicly, making it harder to benchmark before a consultation
• Does not appear to publish a firmwide approval rate as a single verifiable figure in the same format as some competitors
• Does not appear to publish contractual SLAs on timelines
• Does not appear to publish real-time case tracking
• Fee information is available only after a consultation

5. Klasko Immigration Law Partners

Klasko Immigration Law Partners is a Philadelphia-based firm with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. The firm handles EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions for individuals and institutions, with a particular strength in university, hospital, and research institution clients.

Key Features:

• Dedicated EB-1 team with attorneys and technical writers specializing in extraordinary ability petitions
• Immigration litigation capability for contested or complex cases

EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Specific Offerings:

• EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions for individuals across science, technology, athletics, and business
• EB-2 NIW national interest waiver petitions for advanced-degree professionals
• Combined EB-1 and NIW strategy where dual filing makes sense given visa bulletin exposure

Pricing: Does not appear to publish specific pricing publicly and is provided on a case-by-case basis during consultation.

Pros:

• Deep experience with university and research institution clients, a strong fit for academic professionals
• Immigration litigation capability is useful for cases that face prolonged USCIS challenges
• Dedicated EB-1 team with technical writing support
• Published guidance on dual-filing EB-1 and NIW strategy

Cons:

• Does not appear to publish the pricing publicly
• Does not appear to publish a firmwide approval rate as a verifiable figure
• Does not appear to offer case tracking and SLA structure
• The firm's strong institutional client base may mean less focus on individual founders, startup professionals, or tech operators

6. Beyond Border Global

Beyond Border Global is a technology-enabled immigration services firm that operates in partnership with a network of U.S. immigration attorneys, focusing on O-1, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and L-1 cases. The firm targets founders, executives, and technology professionals. It reports a 98% approval rate on its own website and offers a money-back guarantee for EB-1A denials resulting from a preparation error. Beyond Border does not handle H-1B, PERM, or family-based immigration.

Note: Beyond Border's own website describes the firm as an "immigration tech firm" and states that it operates through a vetted network of attorneys. Prospective clients should confirm the specific attorney-client relationship and licensing structure before engaging.

Key Features:

• Exclusive focus on high-skilled self-petition categories with no generalist immigration work
• Evidence-first intake process that maps credentials to USCIS criteria before drafting begins

EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Specific Offerings:

• EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions with a structured credential-mapping intake
• EB-2 NIW petitions with a money-back guarantee of up to 50% on denial
• Concurrent EB-1A and EB-2 NIW filing strategy for qualifying profiles

Pricing: Publishes a $10,000 service fee for EB-1 and EB-2 NIW petitions. A money-back guarantee of 100% applies to EB-1A denials from preparation errors; up to 50% applies for EB-2 NIW.

Pros:

• Money-back guarantee
• Exclusive category focus
• Same-day communication commitment is a strong client service differentiator
• Digital-first model supports remote clients across time zones

Cons:

• Beyond Border operates through a network of attorneys and describes itself as an "immigration tech firm," not a traditional law firm; confirm your specific attorney-client relationship and oversight structure before engaging
• Does not appear to publish contractual SLAs behind its advertised one-month petition drafting timeline
• The money-back guarantee on EB-1A covers only denials from preparation errors, not all denials
• The firm does not handle H-1B, PERM, or family-based immigration

7. Murthy Law Firm

The Murthy Law Firm is a well-established Maryland-based immigration practice with an employment-based immigration scope that includes EB-1 extraordinary ability, EB-2 NIW, PERM labor certification, H-1B, L-1, and EB-5. Murthy serves both individuals and employers, which makes it a reasonable option for professionals whose situation involves both personal self-petition strategy and employer-sponsored pathway awareness.

Key Features:

• Full-scope EB immigration representation including both self-petition and employer-sponsored pathways
• Regular USCIS news updates and client education resources on evolving adjudication standards

EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Specific Offerings:

• EB-2 NIW petitions for members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability
• EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions across all qualifying fields
• Physician NIW pathway under the special national interest waiver for physicians

Pricing: Does not appear to publish the pricing and is only provided through a consultation. The firm notes case-by-case evaluation of options during attorney consultations.

Pros:

• Full-scope practice covers both self-petition and employer-sponsored pathways, useful for professionals navigating both
• Physician-specific NIW expertise is a noted capability not prominent at all competitors
• Regular USCIS policy updates help clients track changing adjudication standards

Cons:

• Does not appear to publicly publish the pricing
• Does not appear to publish a firmwide approval rate as a verifiable figure
• Does not appear to offer case tracking and SLA accountability
• The firm's broad practice scope means it is not exclusively focused on self-petition EB-1A and NIW strategy
• Technology-enabled case management does not appear to be a featured part of the client experience

Evaluation Rubric for Firms Handling EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Pathway Decisions

When professionals evaluate firms for this decision, the most important criteria are not name recognition or case volume alone. The following framework reflects what actually determines whether a firm is well-suited for the EB-1A versus EB-2 NIW decision.

Alma scores strongly across this rubric because it is the only modern immigration law firm in this group that publishes contractually binding, audit-logged SLAs, a guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete, a 98%+ firmwide approval rate, and flat-rate pricing, while delivering attorney-led strategy from the first pathway conversation through the final filing.

Why Alma Is the Best Firm for Deciding Between EB-2 NIW and EB-1A

The other 6 firms in this guide are all legitimate options depending on your profile, budget, and priorities. WeGreened brings substantial case volume for research profiles. Manifest Law offers tiered pricing with strong process documentation. Colombo & Hurd provides a dedicated RFE team and former USCIS officer insight. Klasko brings Chambers-recognized institutional experience with university and research-institute clients. Beyond Border Global delivers a digital-first experience for tech founders. Murthy covers the broadest scope across employer-sponsored and self-petition categories.

Alma is in a different position because the EB-1A versus EB-2 NIW decision is not just about which petition to file. It is about finding a firm that will give you an attorney-led assessment of both paths, commit to a clear timeline for executing whichever path you choose, and hold itself accountable in writing. Alma's 98%+ firmwide approval rate, 86 NPS, 99%+ SLA adherence, guaranteed 2-week case-preparation turnaround once evidence collection is complete, and SOC 2 Type II compliant infrastructure are substantive proofs. They are published, and the SLAs and case-preparation turnaround are contractually backed.

For professionals who need certainty at the point of the most consequential immigration decision they will face, Alma is the modern immigration law firm built to deliver it. Reach out to Alma to get started.

Disclaimer: The information in this article, including any comparisons with other companies, is provided for informational purposes only. Details may change over time. Please confirm current information directly with each company mentioned.