Question 1

How long have you been practicing immigration law?

Accepted Answer

I have been practicing U.S. immigration law for 6 years as a DOJ/EOIR Accredited Representative through Global Gateway Foundation Inc. Over that time I have handled a wide range of employment-based and family-based matters before USCIS, EOIR, and the BIA, including complex petitions, RFE and NOID responses, and appeals.

Question 2

How much of your practice is dedicated to immigration cases?

Accepted Answer

100% of my practice is dedicated to U.S. immigration law. I do not handle any other legal matters — every case I work on involves USCIS, EOIR, or BIA proceedings, which allows me to stay deeply current on policy memoranda, AAO precedent, and case law in this single field.

Question 3

What types of immigration cases do you handle, and how is your practice divided among those cases?

Accepted Answer

My practice focuses primarily on employment-based immigration — EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 National Interest Waiver, O-1A, O-1B, L-1A, L-1B, E-2, and EB-5 petitions. I also handle family-based immigration, adjustment of status, consular processing, RFE and NOID responses, AAO and BIA appeals, and motions to reopen or reconsider. The majority of my work is in extraordinary ability and national interest categorie

Question 4

Do you particularly focus on representing foreign nationals from a certain part of the world?

Accepted Answer

I have substantial experience representing Russian and Ukrainian-speaking applicants, as well as clients from across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states. That said, my practice is not limited by geography — I serve foreign nationals from any country pursuing U.S. immigration benefits.

Question 5

What languages can you (or your staff) speak?

Accepted Answer

I am fluent in both English and Russian, and I conduct consultations and case work in either language. All filings with USCIS, EOIR, and the BIA are prepared in English, with certified translations provided for any foreign-language supporting evidence.

Question 6

What are some of your most memorable successes in immigration cases?

Accepted Answer

Some of my most memorable approvals include an EB-1A petition for a researcher whose work was initially viewed as too narrow in impact, which I rebuilt around independent citation evidence and expert opinion letters to secure approval after an RFE. I have also approved O-1B petitions for artists and beauty industry professionals whose portfolios required careful curation under the "distinction" standard, and EB-2 NIW cases for entrepreneurs whose business plans needed to be reframed under the Dhanasar three-prong test. Each of these wins came from disciplined evidence work rather than reliance on a single strong fact.

Question 7

What are some challenges or obstacles that you’ve faced while handling immigration cases, and how have you addressed them?

Accepted Answer

The most common challenge in current immigration practice is the increasing scrutiny USCIS applies at the Final Merits Determination stage — meeting the regulatory criteria is no longer sufficient on its own. Another recurring obstacle is the unpredictability of RFEs and NOIDs, which often raise issues unrelated to the actual strength of the petition. I address both by building each case as a coherent narrative supported by independent third-party evidence, expert opinion letters, and detailed comparative analysis, and by anticipating likely objections during initial drafting rather than reacting to them later.

Question 8

How do you help clients prepare for interactions with the government?

Accepted Answer

I prepare each client in advance for every step that involves direct contact with USCIS or a consulate — including biometrics, adjustment of status interviews, and consular interviews. We review the case file together, anticipate likely questions, and ensure the client understands the legal basis of every document submitted on their behalf.

Question 9

Can you help a client appeal a decision if they don’t get the desired outcome?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I regularly file appeals to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and motions to reopen or motions to reconsider with USCIS. I also handle responses to Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) and Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIRs), which can often resolve adverse outcomes before an appeal becomes necessary.

Question 10

What is your fee structure?

Accepted Answer

I work on flat fees set at the beginning of each engagement, with the fee determined by the visa category and the complexity of the case. EB-1A, O-1, and EB-2 NIW petitions, for example, require significantly more preparation than a straightforward family-based filing, and the fee reflects that. Clients always know the full cost in writing before any work begins.

Question 11

Do you offer payment plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes. My standard payment structure is 50% at the signing of the engagement agreement and the remaining 50% within 90 days. This allows clients to begin case preparation immediately without paying the full fee upfront, while keeping the engagement straightforward and predictable.

Question 12

What other types of costs might need to be covered beyond your fee?

Accepted Answer

Beyond my professional fee, clients are responsible for government filing fees set by USCIS, EOIR, or the Department of State, as well as costs for certified translations, document procurement, premium processing (if elected), medical exams for adjustment of status, and any expert opinion letters required to support the petition. All third-party costs are disclosed in advance.

Question 13

How do you keep up with the frequent changes in immigration laws and policies?

Accepted Answer

I monitor USCIS Policy Manual updates, AAO non-precedent decisions, BIA precedent, federal court rulings affecting immigration practice, and DHS, EOIR, and Department of State announcements on an ongoing basis. Because immigration law changes constantly through both regulation and policy memoranda, staying current is a daily professional obligation, not an occasional one.

Question 14

How do you make the process less stressful and confusing for clients?

Accepted Answer

I explain every step in plain language — in English or Russian — and provide each client with a clear written roadmap of what to expect, what documents are needed, and what timelines are realistic. I keep clients informed of any USCIS action on their case promptly, so there are no surprises and no long stretches of silence.

Question 15

What can a client do to make the process smoother and improve their chance of success?

Accepted Answer

The single most important thing a client can do is provide complete, accurate, and timely documentation. Responding quickly to my requests for information, keeping me informed of any changes in employment, address, or family status, and being fully transparent about immigration and travel history all directly affect the strength of the petition and the speed at which it can be filed.

Andrei Solodov

Immigration Law