EB-1A attorney fee
Ellis Porter
US$8,000 flat (published)
Beyond Border
US$10,000 - US$15,000
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If you are looking into an EB-1A or EB-2 NIW petition, you have probably come across Ellis Porter. They are one of the most visible names in employment-based immigration because they publish clear flat fees online.
Knowing the price is a great starting point, but it does not tell you everything. You also want to know how a firm builds your case, how much attorney access you will have, and how they handle requests for evidence (RFEs) from USCIS.
In this guide, we break down Ellis Porter’s current fees, explain why applicants shop around, and highlight five strong alternatives to consider in 2026.
Ellis Porter operates a specialized division within a larger full-service immigration firm. Their published flat fees currently stand at $8,000 for EB-1A and $6,000 for EB-2 NIW. These fees cover:
They offer payment plans up to 16 months, as well as a refund policy if a case is denied. These legal fees cover the Form I-140 stage. Later steps, like Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) and government filing fees, carry separate costs across all providers.
N.B. All fees quoted in this article cover legal fees only, including Elli Porter’s. USCIS applications, premium processing, and Adjustment of Status have separate charges, regardless of the firm you choose. This is the same in all enterprises.
A flat fee makes the legal cost easier to understand, but it does not tell the full story. Here are three main reasons applicants look at other options:
Ellis Porter notes over 90,000 approvals across its broader practice. While impressive, that figure spans many visa types. Applicants often want a firm with deep experience in their specific category, whether that is academic research or non-traditional startup profiles.
Not all guarantees are the same. Some cover legal fees entirely if denied, while others only apply to specific plans or profiles. Confirm what is covered and the conditions that apply.
Academic researchers usually have citations and peer reviews that map neatly into USCIS criteria. Founders, engineers, and executives often rely on venture funding, high salary, media coverage, or critical roles. These non-traditional profiles usually require a customized narrative not a standard template.
Depending on your background and priorities, here are five of the best alternatives to consider in 2026:
Beyond Border specializes in U.S employment-based visas for high-skilled professionals and companies: O-1A, O-1B, EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW, and L-1. The firm works with startup founders, executives, and tech professionals whose achievements do not fit a traditional academic style.
Instead of relying on citations, Beyond Border builds strong cases around startup funding, leadership roles, industry recognition, and product impact. We have prepared over 4,000 cases with a 98% approval rate.
Beyond Border has processed over 4,000 cases and has a consistent approval rate of 98%. Its client base includes professionals from Salesforce, Google, Yelp, Chime, Visa, and Mastercard, as well as startup founders from pre-seed to Series B. Every case is handled in-house by dedicated US immigration attorneys. Beyond Border is best for startup founders pursuing O-1A or L-1A; highly skilled technology professionals building EB-1A or O-1A cases.
WeGreened, operated by North America Immigration Law Group, is extremely popular among academic researchers. They report over 64,000 approvals across NIW, EB-1, and O-1 categories, boasting a 99% approval rate for NIW and 91% for EB-1A under their approval-or-refund program. WeGreened does not publish a single flat rate online; instead, they provide custom quotes after a free initial evaluation.
Manifest Law offers tiered pricing for EB-1A starting at $8,995 across Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels. Higher tiers include broader guarantee terms and extra reviews from former USCIS appeals officers. This tiered structure lets you choose how much review depth and risk protection you want for your filing.
Founded by managing attorney Loren Locke, this boutique firm focuses on direct senior-counsel interaction rather than working through multiple associate layers. Pricing is flat-fee based and provided after an initial case review. This direct-counsel approach works well for complex profiles where judging, publications, and industry leadership need to be tied into one cohesive narrative.
Alma offers a transparent $10,000 flat fee for EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, and EB-2 NIW petitions. Their single payment includes RFE responses, administrative costs, and access to an online portal to track your case. Speed and technology are two of Alma’s main selling points. They also claim that your case is prepared in as little as two weeks.
Here is a quick look at how Ellis Porter and Beyond Border compare side by side:
Want to see if EB-1A or EB-2NIW fits your background? Visit our EB-1A guide or check our EB-2 NIW guide to explore more details about these visas.
When comparing alternatives, remember that the best firm is the one that knows how to highlight your unique achievements effectively. At Beyond Border, we craft personalized strategies around your specific evidence from publications and patents to funding, press coverage, and leadership roles. The goal is not just to file, but to present the strongest case possible under the relevant USCIS criteria.
Ready to explore your options? Schedule a free consultation with our team today to review your profile and build a winning strategy.
Non-researcher cases can require more evidence development because achievements may not fit USCIS criteria as clearly as publications, citations, or peer-reviewed work. Some firms charge more for that added work.
Yes. Several firms here, including Ellis Porter, publish payment plans running 12 to 16 months. Confirm whether a payment plan changes the total fee before you sign an engagement letter.
No. You only need to satisfy 3 out of the 10 USCIS criteria. Publications are just one path; founders and executives frequently qualify through high remuneration, critical roles, media attention, or original contributions to their field. Nonetheless, press is still a good criteria for your profile.
Standard Form I-140 processing generally takes between 4.5 and 22.5 months. Upgrading to premium processing guarantees an initial action from USCIS within 15 business days.
Yes. USCIS offers premium processing for $2,965 for both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW filings, ensuring a response within 15 and 45 business days respectively. This fee is paid directly to USCIS and is non-refundable.
David Munam is an experienced writer with 10 years of expertise in researching and producing clear, authoritative content on complex and highly technical subjects. His work has focused on turning dense information into accurate, well-structured, and accessible content across areas such as U.S. customs and trade, Web3, fintech, immigration law, and technology. At Beyond Border, he applies this experience to researching and writing in-depth content on U.S. immigration pathways, including O-1, EB-1A, and EB-2 NIW.
Address: 4 W 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402, United States
Email: info@beyondborderglobal.com
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