For companies
Visa sponsorship for teams that are hiring now.
We handle work visas and green cards for startups and growing companies: choosing the category, preparing the petition, and keeping the candidate informed. Flat fees, quoted before we start.
Attorney-led. Our team replies within one business day.
At a glance
- Categories
- O-1A, O-1B, H-1B, L-1, TN, E-2, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW
- Fees
- Flat, quoted before we start
- First reply
- Within one business day
- Premium processing
- Used wherever USCIS offers it
- Who does the work
- A licensed attorney, start to finish
- 0
- lottery for O-1A, L-1, TN, and E-2
- 15
- business days to a decision with premium processing
- 1
- business day to a first reply from our team
- 8
- categories, one team, one process
Immigration counsel that understands runway, hiring plans, and option grants.
Categories
The right category per hire
Most roles have more than one path. This is the map we work from. The recommendation depends on the candidate.
| Category | Best for | Cap / lottery | Decision | Who petitions | Attorney fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1A | Founders, senior engineers, researchers with a record | None | 15 business days | Employer, or the founder's own company | $12,000 |
| H-1B | Degree-linked specialty roles | 85,000 · March lottery | 15 business days | Employer | $3,000 |
| L-1 | Transfers from a foreign affiliate | None | 15 business days | Employer | $10,000 |
| TN | Canadian and Mexican professionals | None | Same day at the border (Canadians) | Employer letter | $2,500 |
| E-2 | Treaty-country founders and investors | None | Varies by consulate | The company or founder | $10,000 |
| EB-1A / NIW | Permanent residence for standout talent | Annual limits by country | 15 business days (I-140) | Self-petition allowed | $15,000 |
Decision times assume premium processing where USCIS offers it. Timelines vary by case. Fees are flat attorney fees; USCIS fees are billed at cost.
How sponsorship works
From offer letter to approval
- 01Day 0
Scope the hire
Send us the role and the candidate's background. We come back with the categories that fit, a recommendation, the timeline, and a flat fee, before you commit to anything.
- 02Weeks 1–3
Build the petition
We draft the petition, collect the evidence, and write the support letters. Your team answers a short set of questions. We keep the candidate informed directly.
- 03Filing
File and track
We file with premium processing wherever it exists, so most decisions arrive within 15 business days. You and the candidate get written status updates at each step.
- 04Ongoing
Keep them here
Extensions, amendments after a promotion or relocation, and the green card. We plan these from the first filing so status dates never surprise anyone.
Our practice
Why companies work with us
We know how startups hire.
Most of our clients are venture-backed startups. We understand hiring plans set against a runway, why a founding engineer can't wait six months, and how equity and compensation read to an adjudicator. That informs the category we recommend.
- 0
- lottery for O-1A, L-1, TN, E-2
- 15
- business days with premium processing
- 1
- flat fee, quoted before we start
Every category, one team
Beyond our own attorneys, we work with immigration attorneys across the startup and venture community, each with substantial employment-based experience. When a case needs particular depth, we bring in the right person and tell you who they are.
- O-1A
- O-1B
- H-1B
- L-1
- TN
- E-2
- EB-1A
- EB-2 NIW
An attorney on every case
Every inquiry is read by our team and answered by a licensed attorney. You deal with the same people from the first call through approval.
How fast
1 business day
to a first reply on any inquiry, with the categories that fit, a recommendation, and a flat fee.
FAQ
Questions companies ask
Can an early-stage startup sponsor a visa?
Yes. There is no minimum size or revenue to sponsor most employment-based categories. The O-1A, in particular, works well for startups, and a founder's own company can petition for them with the right corporate structure. We'll tell you up front if a category is a poor fit for your stage.
We missed the H-1B lottery. What are our options?
Usually more than people expect. Depending on the candidate: O-1A for a strong technical or business record, TN for Canadian and Mexican citizens, L-1 if they've worked for a foreign affiliate, E-2 for nationals of treaty countries, or a cap-exempt H-1B through a qualifying partner. We map the alternatives in the first conversation.
What does sponsorship cost the company?
Government fees vary by category and are set by USCIS. Our fees are flat and quoted before we start, so you can budget the hire. We'll also flag which costs the law requires the employer to bear versus what the employee may cover.
How long does it take?
Premium processing gets most O-1, H-1B, and L-1 decisions in 15 business days once filed; preparation typically takes two to six weeks depending on how quickly evidence comes together. Green cards run longer and depend on the candidate's category and country of birth. We give you a realistic timeline for each hire, not a best case.
Can you work alongside our HR platform or existing counsel?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with in-house teams, PEOs, and outside counsel, and we're happy to take a single hard case or your whole pipeline.
Have a hire in mind?
Tell us about the role.
Our team replies within one business day with the categories that fit, a recommendation, and a flat fee.
Karan reviews every inquiry and Isabelle coordinates the case from first call to filing. Before founding Thrive, Karan was a Director at Morgan & Morgan and a Senior Consultant at Deloitte.
