I’d like to hear from those who have already gone through this difficult path — what exactly do lawyers do when filing for an O-1 visa? Is it worth applying with them, or is there not much difference? I’m specifically interested in the quality of the case and the final outcome — does their involvement affect it, or can you handle it yourself?
Detailed breakdown of the topic: O-1 Visa: petitioner, agent, agency scheme
I personally chose between firms that work with lawyers and going directly to a lawyer — the cost turned out to be more or less the same. The difference is more about communication: it’s easier to clarify details about your case directly with a lawyer; through a firm there’s usually a manager in the middle. Basically what they do: structure the evidence according to the criteria, write a cover letter for the petition, and organize letters of support from experts. The latter especially — finding the right people yourself and explaining what to write is really hard. You can do it without a lawyer, but the O-1 isn’t the most straightforward petition.