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Compare Your Options

know the difference.

What Kind of Immigration Help Fits Your Case?

Online services offer different levels of form preparation, attorney review, and legal support. Compare the specific plan and agreement with working with a law firm.

See If Our Process Is Right for You

3000+

Families Helped

30

Days to File or Less

10+

Years of Service

4.7

Google Rating

side by side.

Compare Your Options

Service model

Online service plans

Varies by plan: self-guided forms, legal review, or attorney support

Occam Immigration

Attorney-led representation for accepted cases

Human support

Online service plans

SimpleCitizen lists live chat and attorney consultations on some plans; Boundless lists live support

Occam Immigration

Attorney, paralegal, and case manager

USCIS requests for evidence

Online service plans

Some plans include RFE support; check the specific plan and agreement

Occam Immigration

Confirm response representation in your engagement agreement

Attorney relationship

Online service plans

Depends on provider, plan, and any separate attorney agreement

Occam Immigration

Defined in the firm's engagement agreement

Case fit

Online service plans

Ask whether your facts and requested benefit are within the plan's scope

Occam Immigration

The firm screens each matter before accepting it

Filing timeline

Online service plans

Depends on the plan and when the applicant provides required information

Occam Immigration

Firm commits to filing accepted cases in 30 days or less

After filing

Online service plans

Support varies by provider and plan

Occam Immigration

Confirm the ongoing service scope in your engagement agreement

Cost

Online service plans

Varies by provider, benefit, plan, and government fees

Occam Immigration

Quoted by case type and complexity; government fees are separate

Provider examples checked September 17, 2026. Features vary by plan and may change. See the current SimpleCitizen plans and Boundless FAQ.

an honest assessment.

When DIY Works — and When It Doesn’t

A DIY platform may work if…

  • Your case is straightforward with no complications
  • Neither spouse has prior visa issues or overstays
  • You’re comfortable with government forms and legal terminology
  • You don’t anticipate needing to respond to an RFE

You need an attorney if…

  • You’ve been denied before or have a prior petition
  • There’s any history of overstay, unlawful presence, or criminal record
  • Your case involves a waiver of any kind
  • You want someone watching for policy changes that affect your case
  • You want a human being accountable for the outcome

Not sure which category you fall into? That’s exactly why a consultation exists.

the landscape has changed.

Why 2026 Is Different

Immigration policy is shifting faster than ever. Here's what that means for your case.

Processing Delays

USCIS backlogs mean mistakes are costlier. A denied case means starting over — months lost.

Policy Shifts

Immigration policy changes weekly. Your attorney tracks every change that affects your case.

Increased Scrutiny

RFE rates are rising. When USCIS asks for more evidence, you need an attorney who knows how to respond.

Fewer Second Chances

In this climate, getting it right the first time isn't a luxury — it's a necessity.

In this environment, “attorney-reviewed” isn't enough.

who's actually working your case.

Your Legal Team at Occam

Your Attorney

  • Builds your case strategy with your input
  • Walks you through every page before filing
  • Signs on as counsel of record to handle USCIS correspondence
  • Prepares you for your interview

Your Paralegal

  • Prepares and organizes your application
  • Coordinates document collection
  • Ensures filing accuracy and completeness
  • Manages the paperwork so you don't have to

Your Case Manager

  • Schedules your weekly check-ins
  • Tracks deadlines and milestones
  • Keeps your case on schedule
  • Your main point of contact

At a DIY platform, your application is reviewed by an attorney who never meets you, never learns your name, and has no obligation to your outcome.

work with us from anywhere.

Your Legal Team, Wherever You Are

Occam Immigration is built for clients nationwide — not just locally. From your first consultation to your final approval, everything happens through OccamOne, our secure client platform. Upload documents, message your attorney, join video calls, and track your case in real time. No office visits required.

  • Track your case in real time
  • Upload documents securely
  • Message your attorney directly
  • Join video calls right inside the app
See How We'd Handle Your CaseExplore OccamOne
OccamOne on laptop and phone — track your case, upload documents, and message your attorney from any device

What some online service customers reported:

Google Review, February 2026

“Was in process for a green card for my wife for a year gathering all the necessary documents. 1 year later they tell me we need some sort of ‘approved waiver’ and they can’t help me further, and they refused to answer questions as to why they can’t help me or assist me in getting this supposed waiver.”

Google Review, February 2026

“We interviewed with the company, and they said we were a great fit. They said we needed to pay $89, speak to one of their lawyers about the case, get their approval, and then proceed once the lawyer signed off. We did that, the lawyer approved everything, and sent that back to Boundless. Then Boundless said they won’t continue the application.”

Google Review, January 2026

“I paid nearly $2,000 for their services, completed lengthy applications and was informed and re-informed at various levels that my case ‘doesn’t qualify.’ I caution anyone considering this service to carefully evaluate whether Boundless can truly handle your case before committing your time and money.”

Google Review, March 2026

“After months of working on our case, they sent us documents with someone else’s information on them. There are real lives tied to every case and this level of carelessness is unacceptable.”

Google Review, November 2025

“The sales team will sell you a package telling you everything is included but buyers be aware that you’ll find out later through the process something wasn’t included. They need to be transparent!”

These excerpts describe individual experiences from public reviews, not every provider or plan. Check current service terms before choosing a provider.

filed in 30 days. here's how.

Fast-Track To Filing™ Program

We don't do one-size-fits-all. Your attorney will review your history, goals, and legal issues, then set the case strategy and evidence plan for your circumstances.

While you are collecting and uploading evidence, your legal team is building your application. With scheduled check-ins at least once a week, your case stays on track.

The legal team checks the complete package for accuracy and completeness, and an attorney reviews the forms, evidence, and legal strategy before anything is filed.

For every case we accept, we file within 30 days of engagement, provided you attend scheduled meetings and submit requested evidence on time. After filing, while the government controls the processing timeline and outcome, we have monthly check-in appointments to give you updates, answer questions, and prepare you for the next case milestone.

Strategy & Kickoff

Week 1

Attorney-led case review and evidence plan

Application Building

Weeks 1–3

Forms, evidence, and weekly check-ins

Attorney Review

By Day 30

Accuracy, completeness, and legal review

Filed

By Day 30

Package submitted to the government

Every case we accept is filed in 30 days or less

Client participation requirements apply.

your move.

Stop navigating immigration alone.

Our attorneys review your situation and map out a clear, fast path to filing — so you never have to guess what comes next.

We take on a limited number of new cases each month.

Find Out If We're the Right Firm

got questions?

DIY vs. Attorney: Your Questions, Answered

For straightforward cases with no complications — no prior denials, no overstays, no criminal history, and no waivers needed — a DIY platform can work. But if there is any complexity in your case, the risk of mistakes, RFEs, or denials increases significantly without professional representation.
The phrase describes a review, but it does not by itself define the scope of legal advice or representation. Some online plans include consultations and RFE support, sometimes through a separate attorney agreement. Read the terms for the specific provider and plan.
At Occam, you get a dedicated legal team — an attorney, a paralegal, and a case manager — who handle your case from start to finish. Your attorney develops a case strategy, your paralegal prepares the application, and your case manager keeps everything on schedule with weekly check-ins. Your engagement agreement defines the scope of representation, including whether responses to requests for evidence or denials are covered.
Fast-Track-to-Filing is Occam's process for preparing and filing a case the firm accepts within 30 days. It covers the firm's work before filing, not USCIS processing or the outcome. The engagement agreement explains the work and milestones for your case.
RFE help depends on the provider and plan; some online services expressly offer it. Check whether the plan includes legal advice, preparation, and representation for the specific response. Follow the deadline on your USCIS notice.
Occam offers transparent pricing that varies by case type and complexity. We are happy to discuss fees during your free consultation. Our focus is on providing real legal representation — not competing on price with software platforms.
Yes. Many of our clients come to us after starting with a DIY platform — sometimes after receiving an RFE or denial, and sometimes simply because they realized they wanted professional representation. We will review what has been filed and pick up where you left off.

let's talk.

See If Our Process Is Right for You

Tell us about your situation. We'll let you know if you need an attorney — or if DIY might work for you.

BBB rating: A+·AILA 2026 Member — American Immigration Lawyers Association·Free · No obligation · 24hr response