An Orlando EB-2 lawyer helps professionals compare employment-based routes and build the evidence USCIS expects. The guide contrasts EB-1A for extraordinary ability, EB-1C for multinational managers, and EB-2 with the National Interest Waiver, and adds TN status as a separate temporary option for Canadians and Mexicans. It also covers the process, a document checklist, requests for evidence and planning your status while a green card case moves. Our only office is in Orlando, and we serve professionals throughout Florida.
- EB-1A, EB-1C and EB-2 NIW suit different professional profiles.
- TN is a separate temporary option for Canadians and Mexicans.
- Choosing a route depends on your record and your status plans.
- A consultation checklist helps you bring the right documents.
Introduction
Professionals in Orlando who want a green card without waiting for an employer to sponsor them often look at EB-1A extraordinary ability or the EB-2 National Interest Waiver, while managers moving within a multinational company look at EB-1C. Canadian and Mexican professionals have a separate temporary option, the TN visa created under NAFTA and continued under the USMCA. An Orlando EB2 visa lawyer helps you compare these routes honestly and build the evidence USCIS expects. To discuss your options, call 1-844-YO-PELEO or contact us.
Vasquez Law Firm practices immigration law only. Our only office is at 1111 E Amelia Street in Orlando, and we work with professionals throughout Florida by phone and secure video, in English and Spanish.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Categories, standards and visa availability change, so confirm the current rules and talk with a lawyer about your own record.
Employment-Based Green Cards at a Glance
Employment-based immigrant visas are grouped into preference categories. Three of them matter most for the professionals who contact us:
- EB-1A: people with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. The person can self-petition, and no labor certification is required.
- EB-1C: multinational managers and executives. The U.S. employer files, and no labor certification is required.
- EB-2 NIW: advanced-degree professionals or people of exceptional ability whose work benefits the United States. The person can self-petition, and the labor certification is waived.
Each category is filed on Form I-140. After approval, the applicant either adjusts status in the U.S. on Form I-485 or completes consular processing abroad, depending on visa availability for their country and category. Wait times vary by country of birth and change monthly, so a lawyer checks the current Visa Bulletin when planning your case.
EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability
EB-1A requires sustained national or international acclaim. Applicants show either a major, internationally recognized prize (a one-time achievement) or evidence meeting at least three of the regulatory criteria, such as published material about them, judging the work of others, original contributions of major significance, scholarly articles or a high salary relative to others in the field. Meeting three criteria is only the first step; USCIS then weighs the record as a whole.
An EB-1A visa attorney in Orlando who works with researchers, engineers, artists and entrepreneurs will usually start with an honest assessment of whether the record is ready now or would be stronger in a year or two. Anyone looking for an extraordinary ability visa attorney should expect that kind of candid answer, not a promise.
EB-1C: Multinational Managers and Executives
EB-1C is for managers and executives who worked abroad for a related company for at least one year in the three years before coming to the U.S. (or before the petition) and who will work in a managerial or executive role for the U.S. company. It closely resembles the L-1A visa, and many people move from L-1A to EB-1C.
An EB-1C visa lawyer focuses on the organizational structure, because USCIS looks closely at whether the person truly manages people or an essential function rather than doing the day-to-day work. Companies should prepare current organizational charts for both the foreign and U.S. entities.
EB-2 and the National Interest Waiver
EB-2 covers members of the professions with an advanced degree (or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience) and people with exceptional ability. Normally an employer must complete PERM labor certification first. The National Interest Waiver removes that requirement when the applicant shows that the proposed work has substantial merit and national importance, that the applicant is well positioned to advance it and that, on balance, waiving the job offer and labor certification would benefit the United States.
An NIW lawyer helps physicians, engineers, founders and researchers define the proposed endeavor precisely, because vague descriptions are a common reason for Requests for Evidence. You can read about related options on our work visa services page.
TN Status: The NAFTA Visa for Canadians and Mexicans
The TN classification lets citizens of Canada and Mexico work in the U.S. in listed professional occupations, such as engineers, accountants, computer systems analysts and certain scientists and medical professionals. NAFTA was replaced by the USMCA in 2020, but TN status continued, and many people still search for a NAFTA visa attorney in Orlando. Canadian citizens generally request TN status at a port of entry or preclearance location without a visa. Mexican citizens generally need a TN visa from a U.S. consulate first.
TN status is granted in periods of up to three years and can be renewed, but it is a nonimmigrant status that requires intent to depart. That last point matters for anyone who later wants a green card. Lawyers who work with TN professionals often plan the timing of an EB-2 or EB-1 filing around the TN worker's travel and renewals. A lawyer will also check that the job title and duties match a listed profession, since mismatches are a frequent reason for refusal at the border.
How the Employment-Based Green Card Process Works
- Assessment. We review your education, work history, achievements and goals and compare the available routes.
- Choice of category. We choose between EB-1A, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW, a standard EB-2 with PERM or another route.
- Evidence. We help you assemble documents, letters and, for EB-1C, corporate records.
- Petition. Form I-140 and a legal brief are prepared and filed.
- Visa availability. The case waits for a visa number if the category requires one.
- Green card stage. You file Form I-485 in the United States or process at a consulate abroad.
Throughout the process, we check that your temporary status stays valid, because a petition does not by itself give you permission to remain or work.
Document Checklist for an Orlando Consultation
- A current CV listing publications, presentations, prizes, patents and press.
- Degrees, transcripts and any professional licenses.
- Letters or contact information for people who can speak to your work.
- For EB-1C: organizational charts and proof of the corporate relationship.
- For TN: the job offer letter, a description of duties and your passport.
- Prior visa approvals, denials and your I-94 history.
- Your current employer and job duties, if you are already working in the U.S.
Bring what you have. If you are unsure whether a document matters, bring it anyway, and we will tell you which items are useful.
Timeline and Processing Expectations
Employment-based cases have two clocks: the time USCIS takes to decide the petition and the time a visa number takes to become available. USCIS publishes processing information, and the Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin. Both change, so we do not give times. For TN cases at a port of entry the timing is much shorter, but the decision rests with the officer at the border.
Planning around the longest clock is the main strategy. The table below shows the general stages for a green card case.
| Stage | What happens | Who acts |
|---|
| Assessment | The record is reviewed and the category is chosen | Client and lawyer |
| Petition | Form I-140 and the evidence are filed | Lawyer or employer, then USCIS |
| USCIS decision | The petition is approved, denied or sent back for more evidence | USCIS |
| Visa availability | The case waits for a visa number if required | Department of State |
| Green card | Form I-485 is filed or consular processing is completed | Applicant, with USCIS or the consulate |
Responding to a Request for Evidence
Requests for evidence are common in EB-1A and NIW cases, because officers apply demanding standards. A request usually points to the part of the standard the officer thinks is not met, such as the national importance of the work, the significance of a contribution or the managerial nature of a role. The response should speak to that concern with new evidence and a clear explanation, not repeat what was already filed.
We review the request, decide what the officer found lacking and gather new exhibits, such as independent letters, evidence of how others have used your work or revised organizational charts. The deadline is firm, so start the day the notice arrives, and keep a complete copy of what you send.
Planning Your Status While the Green Card Case Moves
A green card case can take a long time, and your temporary status has to stay valid while you wait. Professionals in Orlando may hold an H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, F-1 practical training or another status, and each has its own limits on how long you can stay and whether you can change employers. A lawyer can map your status dates against the green card timeline and tell you when an extension or a change is needed.
If you are on TN status, remember that it requires intent to depart, so timing and travel need care once an immigrant petition is filed. If you are on a status that allows dual intent, such as the H-1B or L-1, a green card filing generally does not conflict with the status, though the details depend on your case. Ask before you travel, and keep copies of every approval notice.
Families should be part of the plan. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can generally be included in an adjustment application or follow to join, and their status and work authorization depend on the primary applicant's category. We review the whole household so there are no surprises later, including children who may reach age 21 during the wait.
Choosing Among EB-1, EB-2 and TN
Many professionals qualify under more than one option, and the choice is a strategy decision. EB-1A can be faster for some countries but demands a high level of acclaim. EB-2 NIW has a lower evidence threshold in many cases, but it requires a persuasive plan for the proposed work. EB-1C depends on the corporate relationship. TN is temporary and can be a bridge while a green card case is prepared, with attention to the intent-to-depart rule.
When you compare lawyers, ask each one how they would frame your evidence and who will write your petition. Florida Bar rules do not allow a firm to claim it is better than others, so rely on clear answers and a written agreement, not a ranking. Be cautious about any lawyer who guarantees an outcome.
Before you commit, it also helps to think about your goals for the next several years. Do you plan to change jobs, start a company, move to another state or bring family members? The answers can affect which category is the better fit, and a lawyer can explain how each choice handles those plans.
Employers who plan to sponsor a worker through PERM, or who support an EB-1C petition, should also talk with the lawyer about their own role. The employer signs documents, supplies corporate records and may be audited, so the company and the employee need a shared plan from the start.
Cost Factors and Fee Breakdown
The cost of an employment-based case depends on the category and the stage.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|
| Form I-140 filing fee | Check USCIS for the current fee | Premium processing, where available, has a separate fee |
| Form I-485 and related filings | Check USCIS for the current fee | Applies when you adjust status in the U.S. |
| Consular and visa fees | Check the Department of State for current fees | Apply to TN visas and consular processing |
| Credential evaluations and translations | Varies by case | Needed for some degrees and foreign documents |
| Attorney fees | Varies by case | Explained in a written fee agreement |
Ask what the fee covers and whether a response to a request for evidence is included. Compare options by what you receive, not only by price.
Government fees change, so confirm the current amounts before you plan a budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filing before the record is ready, which can leave a denial in your file.
- Describing the proposed endeavor in an NIW case in vague terms.
- Submitting a title instead of proof of real managerial authority in an EB-1C case.
- Choosing a TN job title that does not match a listed profession.
- Ignoring the intent-to-depart rule for TN status when planning a green card.
- Assuming that approval of the I-140 alone gives you the right to work or stay.
When to Call a Lawyer
Call a lawyer when you are comparing EB-1A, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW and TN, when you want an honest view of whether your evidence is ready, or when you received a request for evidence or a denial. Call early if your current status is close to expiring, since your options may narrow as the date approaches.
About Vasquez Law Firm
Vasquez Law Firm practices immigration law only. The firm's only office is at 1111 E Amelia Street in Orlando. We serve clients across Florida by phone and secure video, and we meet in person at the Orlando office. William J. Vásquez is the founding attorney. Consultations are offered in English and Spanish. We meet clients in person in Orlando and work with professionals throughout Florida by phone and secure video. To talk about your situation, call 1-844-YO-PELEO or contact us.
Sources and References
Related services: U.S. work visas, immigration lawyers in Florida
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This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different; speak with an immigration lawyer about your situation.
