I.
You are on an O-1
and ready to lock in a permanent path.
For founders
U.S. Green Card Strategy for International Founders
The Green Card paths that work for founders depend on several factors, including the structure of the company they’re trying to build in the U.S., and the specific items they have that document their achievements. At Manifest, our attorneys have helped founders and entrepreneurs explore their various Green Card options, from the EB-1A to the EB-2 NIW.
- Flat fees with flexible payment plans.
- Ex-USCIS officer review available on every plan as an add on
- Live case tracking through the Manifest portal.
- Built for founders — we know how to translate fundraises, traction, and press coverage into evidence.
/Find your path
What Green Card options does an international founder typically have?
Most founders cannot use the standard employer-sponsored EB-2 PERM path, because they are running the company that would be sponsoring them. That leaves the two self-petition routes: the EB-1A and the EB-2 NIW. Both Green Card categories let you apply without a sponsor, and can be filed from inside the U.S. or from abroad.
Common starting points for founders
II.
You are on an E-2
and want a route that is not tied to keeping the business alive forever.
III.
You are outside the U.S.
with a funded company and ready to relocate permanently.
/Available pathways
Your Green Card options
EB-1A — Extraordinary Ability, Self-Petition
For founders with strong public proof of what they have built. The EB-1A is the best fit when you have major press, tier-one investors, prior exits, accelerator wins, named awards, or speaking and judging credentials. You self-petition, so no employer is required. The priority date is current for most countries.
EB-2 NIW — National Interest Waiver, Self-Petition
For founders whose work clearly benefits the U.S., even without top-tier press. The NIW works best when your work falls into a recognized national interest area — defense, climate, AI safety, biotech, critical infrastructure, public health, or advanced manufacturing. You also need proof that you are well-positioned to advance it.
Meet our experienced attorneys
Our immigration lawyers are more than credentialed. They are personally committed to your outcome. Only 1% of attorney applicants are selected to work with Manifest, and they bring the care, insight, and precision needed to craft complex cases at the highest level.
Jeff Joseph
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
30+ Years of Experience
Gregory Boult
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
25+ Years of Experience5,000+ Cases Filed*
Rami Lee
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
18+ Years of Experience5,000+ Cases Filed*
Evan J. Law
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
17+ Years of Experience1,300+ Cases Filed*
Ana Senior
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
14+ Years of Experience1,200+ Cases Filed*
Lahaina Araneta McBeth
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
12+ Years of Experience4,800+ Cases Filed*
Avalon L. Paul
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
10+ Years of Experience1,700+ Cases Filed*
Ana Gabriela Urizar
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
10+ Years of Experience15,000+ Cases Filed*
Amanda Mitchell
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
9+ Years of Experience2,500+ Cases Filed*
Nicole Gunara
PRINC. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
7+ Years of Experience1,700+ Cases Filed*
Henry Lindpere
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
5+ Years of Experience700+ Cases Filed*
Bruna Maciel Soledade
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
5+ Years of Experience1,150+ Cases Filed*
*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client
/Our approach
Why clients trust Manifest’s immigration lawyers
Here is what our clients get on every Manifest case.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour. Payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for founders
We have represented founders, international founders, across the country.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa isn’t approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour. Payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for founders
We have represented founders, international founders, across the country.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa isn’t approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour. Payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for founders
We have represented founders, international founders, across the country.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa isn’t approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client
/Success stories
Helping founders build their future in the U.S.
From EB-1A self-petitions to EB-2 NIW approvals, we’ve helped founders and entrepreneurs navigate Green Card pathways with confidence.
EB-1A
A Founder Finally Wins Her EB-1A After Two O-1s
Catlea Bobis - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCatlea Bobis helped an Indian entrepreneur secure permanent residency through the EB-1A extraordinary ability Green Card. The client, a startup founder who had already earned two O-1 approvals, had been told by previous attorneys that she was close but not quite ready. Manifest took on the entire petition end to end - drafting, organizing the evidence, and filing - and won approval roughly two weeks after submission.
EB-2 NIW
AI Patent Holder and Founder Wins an NIW
Lauren Vizar helped a Canadian software engineer specializing in AI secure his Green Card through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver. The case was built on his patents in artificial intelligence, his publications, and his strong industry experience at a major cloud computing company, along with the AI software business he founded. His professional engineering licensure further supported the petition.
EB-1A
Space Engineering Founder Wins an EB-1 on His Company's Innovation Awards
Carmiann Cespedes - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCarmiann Cespedes helped a French space engineering entrepreneur secure his Green Card through the EB-1 visa. The PhD-holding founder built his case on his critical role leading the European company he founded, European innovation awards won by the business, and a patent. It was further strengthened by his committee role judging work at one of the largest international science conferences in his field.
EB-2 NIW
E-2 Entrepreneur Builds a Self-Petitioned NIW Path
Bruna Maciel Soledade - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawBruna Soledade helped a Mexican professional win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition. Already building his career in the U.S. on an E-2 visa, the client worked with the team to craft a compelling narrative around his proposed endeavor, supported by translated academic credentials earned in Mexico, putting him on a self-petitioned path to a Green Card.
EB-1A
A Founder Finally Wins Her EB-1A After Two O-1s
Catlea Bobis - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCatlea Bobis helped an Indian entrepreneur secure permanent residency through the EB-1A extraordinary ability Green Card. The client, a startup founder who had already earned two O-1 approvals, had been told by previous attorneys that she was close but not quite ready. Manifest took on the entire petition end to end - drafting, organizing the evidence, and filing - and won approval roughly two weeks after submission.
EB-2 NIW
AI Patent Holder and Founder Wins an NIW
Lauren Vizar helped a Canadian software engineer specializing in AI secure his Green Card through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver. The case was built on his patents in artificial intelligence, his publications, and his strong industry experience at a major cloud computing company, along with the AI software business he founded. His professional engineering licensure further supported the petition.
EB-1A
Space Engineering Founder Wins an EB-1 on His Company's Innovation Awards
Carmiann Cespedes - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCarmiann Cespedes helped a French space engineering entrepreneur secure his Green Card through the EB-1 visa. The PhD-holding founder built his case on his critical role leading the European company he founded, European innovation awards won by the business, and a patent. It was further strengthened by his committee role judging work at one of the largest international science conferences in his field.
EB-2 NIW
E-2 Entrepreneur Builds a Self-Petitioned NIW Path
Bruna Maciel Soledade - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawBruna Soledade helped a Mexican professional win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition. Already building his career in the U.S. on an E-2 visa, the client worked with the team to craft a compelling narrative around his proposed endeavor, supported by translated academic credentials earned in Mexico, putting him on a self-petitioned path to a Green Card.
EB-1A
A Founder Finally Wins Her EB-1A After Two O-1s
Catlea Bobis - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCatlea Bobis helped an Indian entrepreneur secure permanent residency through the EB-1A extraordinary ability Green Card. The client, a startup founder who had already earned two O-1 approvals, had been told by previous attorneys that she was close but not quite ready. Manifest took on the entire petition end to end - drafting, organizing the evidence, and filing - and won approval roughly two weeks after submission.
EB-2 NIW
AI Patent Holder and Founder Wins an NIW
Lauren Vizar helped a Canadian software engineer specializing in AI secure his Green Card through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver. The case was built on his patents in artificial intelligence, his publications, and his strong industry experience at a major cloud computing company, along with the AI software business he founded. His professional engineering licensure further supported the petition.
EB-1A
Space Engineering Founder Wins an EB-1 on His Company's Innovation Awards
Carmiann Cespedes - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCarmiann Cespedes helped a French space engineering entrepreneur secure his Green Card through the EB-1 visa. The PhD-holding founder built his case on his critical role leading the European company he founded, European innovation awards won by the business, and a patent. It was further strengthened by his committee role judging work at one of the largest international science conferences in his field.
EB-2 NIW
E-2 Entrepreneur Builds a Self-Petitioned NIW Path
Bruna Maciel Soledade - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawBruna Soledade helped a Mexican professional win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition. Already building his career in the U.S. on an E-2 visa, the client worked with the team to craft a compelling narrative around his proposed endeavor, supported by translated academic credentials earned in Mexico, putting him on a self-petitioned path to a Green Card.
*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
/Testimonials
Client stories
Discover how Manifest has helped clients navigate the visa process and read their success stories.
Very professional, Simon and Dan responded to my clarifications with satisfaction. prepared my case with detailed documentation and got my approval from USCIS. Highly recommended for individuals looking for GC process under employment-based category
Gurinder Singh
I have worked with Dan and Simon directly, and my experience has been like no other. It feels like I'm talking with actual people who care about my case. Any questions I had, they were happy to assist me with in a very short time and make sure everything was clear before moving on to the next thing. I will definitely be working with them again in the future.
Sandra Rocha
I had an amazing experience with Manifest Law from the first intake interview, through a fast and professional process of working on the file, to a straightforward approval of my case. Catlea Bobis is a superstar attorney, and I recommend everyone considering trusting your case to professional support like I had with Catlea and the entire team at Manifest Law.
Irina Batukhtina
*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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/FAQs
Common questions founders ask about Green Card options
Should I file an EB-1A or an EB-2 NIW?
The EB-1A fits founders with strong public proof of what they have built — major press, tier-one investors, prior exits, accelerator wins, named awards, or speaking and judging credentials. The EB-2 NIW fits founders whose work clearly benefits the U.S., even without top-tier press, especially in recognized national interest areas like defense, climate, AI safety, biotech, critical infrastructure, public health, or advanced manufacturing. A strategy call is the fastest way to tell which one your record supports.
Can I switch from EB-2 NIW to EB-1A later?
Many founders strengthen their evidence over time and later pursue a different path. Whether switching or stacking petitions makes sense depends on your record and timeline — something to map on a strategy call.
Which option leads to a Green Card fastest?
For most countries, the EB-1A priority date is current, which is why founders with strong public proof often prefer it when they qualify. The right answer for you still depends on which path your evidence supports.
Which option gives me the most flexibility?
Both the EB-1A and the EB-2 NIW are self-petitions, so neither ties you to an employer sponsor. Which one gives you more flexibility depends on your evidence profile and business goals — something a strategy call can map.
Do I need an employer sponsor for any of these?
No. Both the EB-1A and the EB-2 NIW let you apply without a sponsor, and both can be filed from inside the U.S. or from abroad.
What if I do not qualify for the EB-1A yet?
The EB-2 NIW may still be a fit if your work clearly benefits the U.S. and falls into a recognized national interest area, even without top-tier press. You also need proof that you are well-positioned to advance that work.
Money-back guarantees and refunds are subject to the terms of the selected service plan and engagement agreement.
