Manifest Law vs. Ellis: O-1 Visa Comparison
Updated May 20, 2026 · Sources: manifestlaw.com and ellis.com
Quick Answer
Both Manifest Law and Ellis handle O-1 petitions with published pricing and money-back guarantees. Manifest Law starts at $6,999 with four tiered flat-fee plans (Silver through Diamond). Ellis publishes a single flat fee of $12,000 with a 100% money-back guarantee on legal fees if the visa is not approved.*
*As of May 20, 2026
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Manifest Law | Ellis |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Manifest Legal Services LLC | Ellis Legal, P.C. |
| Headquarters | Arizona, serving clients nationwide | New York City |
| O-1 starting feeLegal fees only; USCIS filing fees additional | $6,999 (Silver plan) | $12,000 (for an initial O-1 visa) |
| Fee structure | Tiered flat fee (4 plans: Silver $6,999 / Gold $8,500 / Platinum $10,500 / Diamond $12,500) | Single flat fee |
| Pricing published | Yes | Yes |
| Payment plans | Up to 6 months | Not published |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — Gold (60%), Platinum (100%), Diamond (100% + RFE/NOID). Terms apply. Silver: none. | Yes — 100% of legal fees if visa not approved |
| RFE/NOID response included | Diamond plan only; available as add-on for other plans | Yes — all USCIS responses included |
| Recommendation letters drafted | Yes | Yes |
| Attorney review per case | 2-chair legal review on all plans | Attorney performs final accuracy and compliance checks before filing |
| Ex-government officer review | Ex-USCIS officer — Platinum and Diamond plans | Former Consulate Officer for interview prep (included) |
| Client portal | Yes | Yes |
| Response time standard | <5 hours average* | Not published |
| Additional services | O-1A, O-1B, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW; corporate, investment, and family immigration | O-1A, O-1B, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW; corporate, investment, and family immigration |
All data sourced from each firm’s publicly available website, as of May 20, 2026. “Not published” means the firm does not publicly disclose this information.
*Response time is the average amount of time within which Manifest lawyers responded to communications from the client after formation of attorney-client relationship. Response time data is provided as of February 2026.
How Each Firm Approaches O-1
Manifest Law
- Takes a “master storyteller” approach — attorneys frame achievements into a coherent extraordinary ability narrative tailored to USCIS criteria, not just file forms
- Minimum 2-chair legal review on every case (W-2 attorneys or vetted co-counsel)
- Ex-USCIS officer reviews the petition on Platinum and Diamond plans, providing direct insight into how USCIS adjudicators evaluate extraordinary ability claims
- Proprietary software tracks USCIS approval trends in real time, allowing attorneys to refine strategy as adjudication patterns shift
- O-1 pricing starting at $6,999 (Silver plan)
Ellis
- Includes a former Consulate Officer for interview prep
- All USCIS responses (RFE/NOID) included in flat fee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Manifest Law and Ellis for O-1?
Manifest Law starts at $6,999 (Silver) with four tiered flat-fee plans up to $12,500 (Diamond) and offers payment plans up to 6 months. Ellis charges a single flat fee of $12,000. Both firms publish pricing, draft recommendation letters, and offer money-back guarantees (terms apply). Ellis includes RFE/NOID responses in its flat fee; Manifest Law includes them in the Diamond plan and offers them as an add-on for other plans. Manifest Law provides ex-USCIS officer review on Platinum and Diamond plans, plus available as an add-on service for Silver and Gold plans; Ellis includes a former Consulate Officer for interview prep.
Is RFE/NOID response included?
Ellis includes all USCIS responses (RFE/NOID) in its flat fee. Manifest Law includes RFE/NOID response in the Diamond plan and offers it as an add-on for Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans.
Do both firms offer payment plans?
Manifest Law offers payment plans of up to 6 months. Ellis does not publish payment plan terms.
About This Comparison
This comparison presents facts sourced from each firm’s publicly available website as of May 20, 2026. This content is published by Manifest Law. It is not legal advice. Approval rates, pricing, and policies are subject to change. Verify directly with each firm before making a decision.
Sources: manifestlaw.com and ellis.com
