Review achievements, proposed U.S. work and an employer or agent petitioner.Review achievements, proposed U.S. work and an employer or agent petitioner.
STEM Student Status Planning, for STEM students in the U.S.STEM Student Status Planning · For STEM students in the U.S.
Stay in the U.S.,
Stay in the U.S.,
without the lotteryStay in the U.S.
No lottery.
O-1 work status + NIW green-card path; you can start planning while still enrolled. O-1 has no lottery and is filed by a U.S. employer or agent; NIW allows self-petitioning. Organize your research, projects and work achievements from your time in school.Plan an O-1 work-status option and an EB-2 NIW green-card path while you study. O-1 has no lottery and is filed by a U.S. employer or agent; NIW allows self-petitioning. Organize research, project and work achievements from your studies.
STEMmajorsSTEMmajorsEnrolledyou can startStartwhile enrolledAfter the master's degreeFilingFileafter the master'sWithin 5 years of graduationWithin 5 yearsof graduation
The paths aheadThe paths ahead
GoalsGoals
The goals are work status in the U.S. and a green-card petition. O-1 has no lottery but needs an eligible employer or agent to file; NIW permits self-petitioning. Both paths require checking actual achievements and application conditions.The goals are work status in the U.S. and a green-card petition. O-1 has no lottery but needs an eligible employer or agent to file; NIW permits self-petitioning. Both paths require checking actual achievements and application conditions.
| ComparisonComparison | OPT → H-1B → PERM | EB-5 investmentEB-5 investment | O-1 + NIW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relies onRelies on | OPT eligibility, employer and applicable cap rulesOPT eligibility, employer and applicable cap rules | CapitalCapital | Achievements, O-1 petitioner and work arrangementsAchievements, O-1 petitioner and work arrangements |
| Work statusWork status | Meet the applicable OPT or H-1B work authorization requirementsMeet the applicable OPT or H-1B work authorization requirements | If eligible to file I-485, apply for an EAD; work requires authorizationIf eligible to file I-485, apply for an EAD; work requires authorization | Work within the approved status, validity dates and employment scopeWork within the approved status, validity dates and employment scope |
| Green cardGreen card pathway | Employer-sponsored PERM, a long waitEmployer-sponsored PERM, a long wait | The investment and immigration requirements both require reviewThe investment and immigration requirements both require review | Self-petitioned NIW, no employer neededSelf-petitioned NIW, no employer needed |
| VariablesVariables | Lottery rules, OPT policy, employer willingnessLottery rules, OPT policy, employer willingness | Investment amount and priority date backlogInvestment amount and priority date backlog | Evidence, the O-1 petitioner and the work arrangementEvidence, the O-1 petitioner and the work arrangement |
Eligibility varies from person to person and is subject to assessment; for policy changes seeInsights。Eligibility varies from person to person and is subject to assessment; for policy changes see Insights.
How we work with youHow we work with you
TimelineTimeline
Four preparation stages, with timing based on your existing record and evidence gaps. Review O-1 and NIW separately.Four preparation stages, with timing based on your existing record and evidence gaps. Review O-1 and NIW separately.
Set the directionSet the direction
Map your evidence against the O-1 / NIW criteria: what you already have, and what you still need to build.Map your evidence against the O-1 / NIW criteria: what you already have, and what you still need to build.
Build the recordBuild the record
Research planning and publication guidance: topics, matching journals and conferences, submission timing.Research planning and publication guidance: topics, matching journals and conferences, submission timing.
Build influenceBuild influence
Get your work seen by peers: showcasing results, peer-review and professional-activity opportunities.Get your work seen by peers: showcasing results, peer-review and professional-activity opportunities.
FilingFile
Once eligible, choose the order or parallel filing of O-1 and NIW based on the work plan and visa availability; prepare each petition separately.Once eligible, choose the order or parallel filing of O-1 and NIW based on the work plan and visa availability; prepare each petition separately.
You build the record; we plan and assist throughout.You produce the work; we plan and support you throughout.
Who it fitsWho it is for
Who it is forWho it is for
Enrolled in STEM? You can start now.Enrolled in STEM? You can start now.
STEM majorsSTEM majorsBachelor's / master's / PhD studentsBachelor's / master's / PhD studentsFile after the master's degreeFile after the master's degreeWithin 5 years of graduationWithin 5 years of graduation
The degree and graduation timeline above applies to this STEM plan. Business, arts, design and film cases need separate review of achievements, U.S. work arrangements and the petitioner.The degree and graduation timeline above applies to this STEM plan. Business, arts, design and film cases need separate review of achievements, U.S. work arrangements and the petitioner.
Science & engineeringScience & engineering
O-1 + NIW: the work-status and green-card tracks run in parallel.O-1 + NIW: the work-status and green-card tracks run in parallel.
Business: separate reviewBusiness: separate review
Assess O-1A against the applicant's record, petitioner and U.S. work arrangement; determine the green-card path separately.Assess O-1A against the applicant's record, petitioner and U.S. work arrangement; determine the green-card path separately.
Arts · Design · Film: separate reviewArts · Design · Film: separate review
Assess O-1B against work samples, industry recognition, the petitioner and U.S. work arrangements.Assess O-1B against work samples, industry recognition, the petitioner and U.S. work arrangements.
Already working for years with a strong record? Go straight to National Interest Waiver · NIWNational Interest Waiver · NIW or Extraordinary Ability · EB-1AExtraordinary Ability · EB-1A。Already working for years with a strong record? Go straight to National Interest Waiver · NIWNational Interest Waiver · NIW or Extraordinary Ability · EB-1AExtraordinary Ability · EB-1A.
AssuranceAssurance
Assess first, then decide; if not approved, the VIP balance is waived and the SVIP service fee is refundedAssess first, then decide; if not approved, the VIP balance is waived and the SVIP service fee is refunded
Sign only after the assessment passesSign only after the assessment passes
If you do not qualify, we say so; no hard sell.If you do not qualify, we say so; no hard sell.
If not approved: VIP balance waived, SVIP service fee refundedNot approved: VIP balance waived, SVIP service fee refunded in full
Refund terms are governed by the service contract.Refund terms are governed by the service contract.
Since 2014Since 2014
12 years in U.S. immigration services, 2,000+ clients, 400+ partner agencies.12 years in U.S. immigration services, 2,000+ clients, 400+ partner agencies.
VIP / SVIP dedicated team, end to endVIP / SVIP dedicated team, end to end
With team delivery, a lead writer sets direction, a dedicated writer drafts and argues your case one-on-one, and partner counsel reviews as the case requires.With team delivery, a lead writer sets direction, a dedicated writer drafts and argues your case one-on-one, and partner counsel reviews as the case requires.
How to tell your familyHow to tell your family
Three things for parentsThree things for parents
- A path based on meritA path based on meritNo investment or lottery; the O-1 employer or agent petitioner is confirmed during assessment.No investment or lottery; the O-1 employer or agent petitioner is confirmed during assessment.
- Fees follow the agreementFees follow the agreementWe sign only after the assessment passes; if ultimately not approved, the VIP balance is waived and the SVIP service fee is refunded in full.We sign only after the assessment passes; if ultimately not approved, the VIP balance is waived and the SVIP service fee is refunded in full.
- Delivered by a company with a long track recordDelivered by a company with a long track recordThe brand dates to 2014, has served 2,000+ clients and has worked with 400+ agencies.The brand dates to 2014, has served 2,000+ clients and has worked with 400+ agencies.
Your timelineYour timeline
Your U.S. planning timelineYour U.S. planning timeline
Start assessing and preparing now, and estimate subsequent timing based on your expected filing year.Start assessing and preparing now, and estimate subsequent timing based on your expected filing year.
Master’s degree or higherMaster’s degree or higher
Expected master's degree or higherExpected qualifying degree year
Planned NIW filing year (eligible and ready)Planned NIW filing year (eligible and ready)
Five-year waiting-time scenarioFive-year waiting-time scenarioAssume I-485 can be filed about 4 years after the NIW filing and the green card approved about 5 years after. The years below change with the expected filing date; the final result depends on actual visa availability, application conditions and adjudication progress.Assume I-485 can be filed about 4 years after the NIW filing and the green card approved about 5 years after. The years below change with the expected filing date; the final result depends on actual visa availability, application conditions and adjudication progress.
Prepare now; file when eligiblePrepare now; file when eligible
Application pathsApplication paths
Assessed separately; preparation can run in parallelAssessed separately; preparation can run in parallel
A qualifying master's degree can meet the advanced-degree threshold. Review its connection to the proposed endeavor, other EB-2 requirements and NIW criteria.A qualifying master's degree can meet the advanced-degree threshold. Review its connection to the proposed endeavor, other EB-2 requirements and NIW criteria.
FAQ
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
I am still an undergraduate. Can I start?I am still an undergraduate. Can I start?
Yes. Planning starts while you study; filing waits until you hold a master's degree. The undergraduate years are for setting direction and preparing evidence.Yes. Planning starts while you study; filing waits until you hold a master's degree. The undergraduate years are for setting direction and preparing evidence.
I have no publications. Is this still viable?I have no publications. Is this still viable?
That is exactly what the program is for: plan against the O-1 / NIW criteria and build the record while you study. Start with a free assessment to see which year to begin and what to do.That is exactly what the program is for: plan against the O-1 / NIW criteria and build the record while you study. Start with a free assessment to see which year to begin and what to do.
Why pursue O-1 and NIW together?Why pursue O-1 and NIW together?
O-1 is a renewable work-status path without a lottery and is filed by a U.S. employer or agent; NIW is a green-card path that permits self-petitioning. Some evidence may be reused, and whether to run both paths in parallel depends on the case.O-1 is a renewable work-status path without a lottery and is filed by a U.S. employer or agent; NIW is a green-card path that permits self-petitioning. Some evidence may be reused, and whether to run both paths in parallel depends on the case.
I was selected in the H-1B lottery. Do I still need this?I was selected in the H-1B lottery. Do I still need this?
H-1B can remain your work status, while NIW can be assessed as a separate self-petition. Whether O-1 is also useful depends on your current status, U.S. work arrangement and eligibility; the two do not always need to be filed together.H-1B can remain your work status, while NIW can be assessed as a separate self-petition. Whether O-1 is also useful depends on your current status, U.S. work arrangement and eligibility; the two do not always need to be filed together.
Can parents enquire on my behalf?Can parents enquire on my behalf?
Yes. When leaving your details, choose the parent-enquiry option; the planner will cover what parents care about: the path, how the costs work, and the safeguards.Yes. When leaving your details, choose the parent-enquiry option; the planner will cover what parents care about: the path, how the costs work, and the safeguards.
