Question 1

How can I get a free evaluation for my US immigration case?

Accepted Answer

You can request a free case evaluation by completing the online form at https://www.rzlawllc.com/evaluation. After you submit your background — including your education, work history, publications, and target visa category — our attorney will review your profile and respond within 1 to 2 business days with an initial assessment and, if you appear eligible, an invitation to schedule a paid consultation. There is no charge for the evaluation and no obligation to proceed.

Question 2

Does RZ Law LLC serve clients outside of Boston, Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RZ Law LLC provides US immigration and business law services to clients nationwide across all 50 states through virtual consultations. As a virtual law firm based in Boston, MA, we work with clients in California, New York, Texas, Washington, and throughout the country. All consultations, document reviews, and case preparation are conducted remotely, and we communicate fluently in both English and Simplified Chinese (Chinese).

Question 3

What is the difference between EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, and which one is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Both EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) are self-petition green card categories that do not require an employer sponsor, making them popular choices for independent researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. EB-1A requires showing sustained national or international acclaim — you must meet at least 3 of 10 USCIS criteria and demonstrate that you are among the small percentage at the very top of your field. EB-2 NIW requires satisfying the Dhanasar three-prong test: your proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, you are well-positioned to advance it, and it benefits the US to waive the normal job offer and labor certification requirements. EB-1A has a higher evidentiary bar but benefits from better priority dates (EB-1 category moves faster than EB-2 for Indian and Chinese nationals). Many clients with strong profiles pursue both simultaneously, filing the NIW first to secure an early priority date while building toward the stronger EB-1A case.

Question 4

Who qualifies for the H-1B visa and how does the lottery work?

Accepted Answer

The H-1B visa is an employer-sponsored temporary work visa for specialty occupations — positions that require at minimum a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a specific field. Classic qualifying roles include software engineers, scientists, architects, accountants, and healthcare professionals. The H-1B is subject to an annual cap of 65,000 visas plus an additional 20,000 for holders of US master's degrees or higher. Registration opens each March for an October 1 start date, and if registrations exceed the cap — which has been the case every recent year — USCIS conducts a random computerized lottery. Applicants with US master's degrees get two chances: they are entered in the regular 65,000 cap first, then any unselected master's holders enter a separate 20,000 cap lottery. Cap-exempt employers such as universities, university-affiliated nonprofits, and government research organizations can hire H-1B workers at any time without the lottery.

Question 5

How long does the EB-2 NIW green card process take from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

The NIW process begins with filing an I-140 self-petition with USCIS. Standard I-140 processing currently takes approximately 6 to 18 months; premium processing is available and reduces USCIS's decision window to 15 business days. After I-140 approval, the next step depends on your priority date and country of birth. For applicants from most countries, EB-2 priority dates are current, meaning you can file for adjustment of status (I-485) or begin consular processing immediately after approval, adding roughly 6 to 18 more months. For applicants born in India or China, the EB-2 per-country backlog can be significant — the wait for a priority date to become current can range from several years to over a decade in the current environment, making it critical to establish your priority date as early as possible.

Question 6

What is the F2A visa and who is eligible for a marriage-based green card through a green card holder spouse?

Accepted Answer

F2A is the family preference category for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of US Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders — not US citizens). Unlike the Immediate Relative category for spouses of US citizens, F2A is subject to annual numerical limits and a priority date backlog, which means there is an additional wait between I-130 approval and the final green card. For most countries, the total F2A process — from I-130 filing through receiving the green card — takes approximately 2 to 4 years. If the sponsoring spouse naturalizes and becomes a US citizen while the case is pending, the category automatically upgrades to Immediate Relative with no priority date wait, which can significantly accelerate the process.

Question 7

Does RZ Law LLC offer legal services in Chinese (Chinese)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our attorney is fully fluent in both English and Chinese Chinese (中文). Consultations can be conducted entirely in Chinese, entirely in English, or in a mix of both depending on your preference. All written communications, case updates, and explanatory materials are available in your preferred language. Our website is also fully bilingual — English at rzlawllc.com and Simplified Chinese at the same domain — and we specifically serve Chinese-speaking immigrant professionals across the United States seeking EB-1, EB-2 NIW, H-1B, and family-based green card assistance.

Question 8

How much does it cost to hire RZ Law LLC for an immigration case?

Accepted Answer

The initial case evaluation is completely free — submit your profile online and receive an assessment at no charge. Attorney fees for full case representation vary by visa category, case complexity, and scope of work; a detailed fee schedule is available at https://www.rzlawllc.com/fees. In addition to attorney fees, there are USCIS government filing fees (for example, the I-140 filing fee is currently $700 for standard processing, and premium processing adds $2,805). We provide a complete cost breakdown — including all government fees — before you commit to representation, so there are no surprises.

Question 9

What types of evidence are needed for an EB-1A extraordinary ability petition?

Accepted Answer

USCIS requires that you satisfy at least 3 of 10 established criteria to establish the initial evidence threshold for EB-1A. The 10 criteria include: (1) nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards, (2) membership in elite associations requiring outstanding achievement, (3) published material in major media about you, (4) judging or reviewing others' work in your field, (5) original contributions of major significance, (6) authorship of scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, (7) display of work at distinguished artistic exhibitions, (8) a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations, (9) a high salary relative to peers in the field, and (10) commercial success in the performing arts. Once the initial threshold is met, USCIS performs a final merits determination reviewing the full record. Strong EB-1A cases typically satisfy 4 to 6 criteria with well-documented, specific evidence — not just certificates, but context showing the significance and recognition your achievements represent.

Question 10

Can I file for a green card while on F-1 student visa or STEM OPT?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can file an I-140 immigrant petition (for EB-1A, NIW, or employer-sponsored categories) while on F-1 or STEM OPT — there is no requirement that you be on a specific visa to file the I-140. Filing the I-140 early during STEM OPT is often a smart strategy because it establishes your priority date immediately. However, filing the I-485 adjustment of status application (the final green card step) requires an available visa number for your country and preference category. If your priority date is current, you may be able to file the I-485 concurrently with or shortly after the I-140. If you are not immediately eligible for I-485, you will need to maintain valid nonimmigrant status — many clients transition to H-1B status after OPT — while their priority date advances in the queue.

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