Egor Akimov - About the Consultant
I received an O-1 in 2016 and an EB-1A in 2017. Since then I’ve analyzed 300+ USCIS decisions, reviewed 250+ real petitions, and built a community of 13,000+ members. Here are my story, services, and client results.
My story
In January 2016 I decided to move to the U.S. I was 34, with a PhD in human physiology, 40+ scientific publications, and experience working with national teams in endurance sports.
2016 - Decision and preparation
A contact in the U.S. offered the position of Sport Development and Performance Director at a nonprofit in Wisconsin. I found Russian-speaking lawyers in San Diego. In 4 months I collected 21 recommendation letters and filed an O-1 petition of 837 pages.
June 2016 - O-1 approved
The petition was approved. I proved 6 out of 8 criteria: membership in organizations, publications, authorship (40 publications, 13 in PubMed), high salary, judging (21 conferences), and leading role. I entered the U.S.
November 2016 - First EB-1A filing (self-filed)
Seven months after arriving I submitted an EB-1A petition. I paid for premium processing ($1,225). Ten days later I received an RFE — a Request for Evidence. But I mistook it for a denial.
January 2017 - My big mistake
Acquaintances advised me to contact a New York attorney. Her reply shocked me: "This is not a denial, this is an RFE. And today is the last day to respond." The deadline was missed. I had to collect everything again.
April 2017 - EB-1A approved in 9 days
We reworked the petition with an attorney. USCIS received the documents on April 20. On April 29 — approval. I proved 6 out of 10 criteria: awards, membership, judging, original contribution (methods for the Rio 2016 Olympics), authorship (845 citations on Google Scholar), and leading role (40 staff).
December 2017 - Green card received
In October I had an interview and another RFE. The attorney reassured me; we collected additional letters. On December 23, 2017 — green card in hand. A year and a half after arriving in the U.S.
Key lessons
An RFE is not a denial. My biggest mistake cost me months and money on a refile. Of the 300+ RFEs I’ve analyzed over the years, about 70% are successfully closed with a proper response.
Quality matters more than quantity. 837 pages is a lot. What matters is not the volume but the quality of the argument. Every document should work for your story.
Recommendation letters decide outcomes. 21 letters is serious work. Petitions with 6+ strong letters receive RFEs half as often as those with 3–4 formal letters.
Be ready for the interview. It’s too early to relax after petition approval. Unexpected questions can arise at the interview, and an RFE can be issued after the conversation.
What I do now
Five years after getting my green card, and after acquiring U.S. citizenship, I created the community “Talant v Kazhdom (Талант в Каждом)” for those seeking an O-1 or EB-1A visa. Today it has over 13,000 members.
Over the years I’ve analyzed 300+ RFEs, NOIDs, and denials. Each week I study 2–5 new RFEs and 1–3 cases. More than 120 cases per year from various attorneys. I hold calls in Telegram every Wednesday — 3 years in a row, not a single skip.
- Google Scholar - 873 citations
- PubMed - 19 articles
- LinkedIn - 10+ years of experience
Services and pricing
I provide consultations and analyses personally. For full support — a team of people who themselves went through EB-1.
60-min Consultation - $200
- Profile review and strengths analysis
- O-1 or EB-1: which visa is better
- Criteria: what works in 2026
- Where to cut corners, where it’s risky
- What to save on and what not to risk
- Already in process? We’ll review materials
Memo analysis - $750
- How an officer will view the case
- Patterns from 300+ RFEs
- What to strengthen, remove, restructure
- Linking evidence to the claimed field
- Awards off-topic? I’ll warn you
Exhibits analysis - $300
- Recommendation letters: key elements
- Screenshots: do not satisfy criteria
- Readability of scans
- Translator affidavits and translation quality
- Organization: order, numbering
- Unacceptable sources: Wikipedia, Medium
Full representation - Individually priced
- Strategy and positioning
- Weekly sprints and control
- All letters: critical role, expert letters
- Final Merits: evidence
- Until approval: refilings and RFEs included
Printing and shipping - ~$500
- Petition of any volume or NVC
- Color printing in U.S. format
- Checking every page
- Secure packaging: won’t fall apart
- Shipping via UPS with tracking
- U.S. address for forms (+$100)
Help with USCIS payment - $200-400
- Money Orders were canceled! Only U.S. card/account
- No U.S. account? I can pay from my account
- NVC after approval — also
- Premium is more expensive ($400)
Reviews
EB-1A without RFE after 2 denials
“2 attorneys, 2 denials, $50k wasted. I filed myself with Egor’s help — approved without RFE!”
EB-1A approved after denial
“After a denial with attorneys I came to Egor — approved in 5 months”
EB-1A approved after denial
“I sent the memo to Egor — his suggestions greatly helped strengthen the petition”
EB-1A approval on day 15
“All roads led to Egor. Together we built a strong case — approved on the first try”
EB-1A approved after RFE
“Half an hour with Egor got me back on track after the RFE and gave me confidence”
EB-1A without RFE in 2 weeks
“I wrote it myself, Egor checked the final version. Approved without RFE!”
EB-1A without RFE in 7 days
“Thanks to Egor for proofreading the case, checking exhibits, and printing — super valuable!”
EB-1A after RFE
“Thanks to Egor for the support, important advice, and help — invaluable! Approved after RFE”
“We’re jumping for joy with my daughter! Thank you for agreeing to help when we were about to give up and it seemed impossible. Thanks to you and the team for the huge hard work — it worked!”
EB-1A after RFE
“I wrote it myself under Egor’s close guidance. Professionalism, patience, and humanity!”
EB-1A without RFE
“Egor’s level of involvement impressed us — at every stage we felt support and a clear strategic understanding”
EB-1A approved
“I gave the memo to Egor — his expertise and criticism helped cut it from 195 to 145 pages. He’s like a mentor!”
EB-1A without RFE
“Egor was my support in the hardest moments. His consultation was THE most useful of all!”
“Egor is the most reasonable and level-headed person among everyone I communicated with from helpers and lawyers in this field”
EB-1A without RFE + green card in 6 months
“Thanks to Egor for the support and advice! Green card from scratch in 6 months, approved without RFE”
How to start
Start with the $200 consultation. In 60 minutes we’ll review your situation, identify criteria, and make a plan of action. If more is needed — we’ll discuss options.
Are these legal services?
No, I am not an attorney and do not provide legal services. I’m a consultant with personal O-1 and EB-1A experience who helps you understand the process, prepare materials, and avoid common mistakes. For legal questions I recommend working with an immigration attorney.
Do I need an attorney?
It depends. Many successfully file petitions pro se. An attorney is useful if: the case is complex, there were denials, legal protection is needed. In the consultation we’ll determine whether you need an attorney specifically.
What if I received an RFE?
An RFE is not a denial, but a Request for Evidence. I’ve studied 300+ RFEs and know officer patterns. I’ll help analyze and respond correctly.
How does the consultation work?
60 minutes on Zoom. We discuss your questions: what works and doesn’t in 2026, trends, any topics I’m competent in — from “where to start” to “how to close Final Merits.” Send details of the case, prepared documents, and your questions in advance to Telegram (@e_akimov).
Book a consultation
- Calendly (choose a time): calendly.com/egor_akimov/60min
- Telegram: @e_akimov
- Community (13,000+ members): Talant v Kazhdom (Талант в Каждом)