Lawyers generally charge a flat fee to handle the more predictable types of immigration matters, like an application for an immigrant visa for a family member of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The majority of attorneys in our study reported using a flat-fee arrangement at least some of the time.
Full Answer
Fees for Employment Non-immigrant Visas Application/Petition Type Initial Attorney Fees Fees Due Upon Approval H-1B, Skilled worker (new) $2,100 $2,100 H-1B Transfer, Extension and Amendment $950 $950 H-4 Dependent (With H-1B) $350 None H-4 Dependent only $550 None 11 more rows ...
The application you will be making – immigration lawyers charge different fees for different applications as each application has a different complexity or amount of work. So, whether you’re applying for a green card or an L1 visa, for example, will make a difference to what you are charged.
Attorney Fee: $5200 (Does not include RFE response or Adjustment of Status filing) Attorney Fee: $5200 (Does not include RFE response or Adjustment of Status filing) USCIS Fee: $370 + $85 for Biometrics.
Although immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can generally overcome a visa overstay without a lawyer, other relatives will need help. Depending on the nature of the violation, it can be extremely serious, resulting in removal (deportation) from the United States. Therefore, investing in the cost of an immigration lawyer is generally a good idea.
An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation fee of $75 to $150. Legal assistance when filing basic immigration forms costs $250 to $800, while green card assistance runs from $800 to $5,000, plus the USCIS fees of $460 to $700.
Administrative Processing means that the Consular Officer is sending the case from the Embassy/Consulate for further evaluation and screening.
within 60 daysAccording to the Department of State (DOS), most administrative processing cases are resolved within 60 days after the visa interview.
Deportation Defense: $2,000-15,000 (and could go up further if the case involves many court appearances or complex defense strategies)
Upon completion of the case-specific administrative processing, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. Alternatively, the officer may conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa.
If your application for administrative review is successful, the Home Office will withdraw the original decision to refuse your application and you should then be granted leave to remain and be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) visa card.
Administrative Processing If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed back within two business days. This status includes: The visa issuance process (visa has been approved but not yet printed)
If your application is selected for administrative processing, you may not return to the United States until the visa is issued. All visa applicants should plan travel carefully and plan for the contingency of being delayed by administrative processing.
A visa application under “administrative processing” will be deemed “refused” unless and until the application is overturned.
The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.
Expect to pay the attorney somewhere between $3,000 and $7,000 in total—in addition to the application fees described above. Most attorneys will quote you a flat fee in advance, and ask you to pay part of it at the beginning and the rest at the end.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for lawyers, which includes those practicing immigration law, is strong. The agency expects employment in this field to grow 9% by 2030, which is about as fast as the average rate of occupations in the general workforce.
In most cases, an immigration attorney will charge an hourly rate of $150 to $300 per hour, whereas others will charge a set fee for the entire process. For basic immigration form filing, you can expect to pay around $250 to $1,200 in fees. Immigration attorney fees significantly range, depending on the types of services ...
An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation fee of $75 to $150. Legal assistance when filing basic immigration forms costs $250 to $800, while green card assistance runs from $800 to $5,000, plus the USCIS fees of $460 to $700.
Green Card lawyer fees range from $795 to $2,900 depending on your situation. Green Card lawyer fees for a sibling or parent of a U.S. Citizen is around $795. An employee sponsored labor certification costs $2,000 in attorney fees, $700 in USCIS filing fees, and takes 2 to 3 years to process.
Unlike the average citizen with no experience, an immigration lawyer will know exactly which forms to file and when. Also, the level of advice you'll receive is often invaluable, especially when you need to prepare for an interview or court date.
Attorney fees for filing a K-1 Visa Petition for the fiance of a U.S. Citizen is around $725 with the USCIS fees costing $535. Typical processing time is 7 to 10 months.
Attorney Fee: $2400 (does not include RFE responses, if applicable). Please note that the legal fee may be higher in certain complex cases. In any event, you’ll be provided a written quote before retaining our firm.
In every possible instance, we do our best to anticipate any potential issues and address them in advance. For that reason, it’s imperative that you be completely honest and transparent regarding the details of your case during the initial consultation.
SGM Law Group only offers free general consultations to certain individuals/businesses who are looking to retain a law firm for the following cases:
Immigration cases are complex. There are layers of complicated rules, laws, and regulations you need to navigate to get a successful outcome. Some cases are simple and don’t need special assistance.
There are a lot of resources and information on immigration available online. So, it might seem unnecessary to pay a high price for an immigration lawyer when all these resources are free. The reality is, however, the immigration process is complex, and there is usually a lot at stake.
There is a whole host of factors that will influence the cost of an immigration lawyer. Generally, however, the following factors will affect the price you are charged:
As we’ve explained above, there is a whole range of factors that will influence the actual cost of an immigration lawyer. What we can do, however, is look at what the average costs are for different types of visas.
Now you no longer have to wonder how much does an immigration lawyer cost. These legal fees can seem very expensive. But it may save you time and money in the long run. It could also be the difference between a successful application and a possible denial (or worse – deportation!).
Immigration lawyers typically charge between $100 and $250 for a detailed consultation and many credit this to legal fees should you choose to hire them. Many also offer introductory calls at no cost – these are not meant to be detailed consultations, but an opportunity to share some context, get to know the lawyer and decide if you want to work with them. You’ll find many lawyers that specialize in removal / deportation cases do not charge any consultation fees at all.
If you are here unlawfully, an attorney can help you figure out if there is a path to legal status. If you’ve had any brush ups with the law, even if you weren’t convicted, you might be at risk for deportation. These are just a few scenarios in which the advice of an immigration lawyer is crucial.
However, a lawyer in California may have more exposure to the immigration issue you are facing. It is important to balance cost and experience.
Note: If you come across a “notario” or immigration “consultant”, they are not lawyers and are not licensed to practice immigration law. Be very careful who you trust with your immigration needs. Navigating U.S. immigration is incredibly time consuming and complex.
Government filing fees are not optional (unless you qualify for a fee waiver. Whether you work with an attorney or file your paperwork yourself, you will incur these costs and they can be quite steep. Thousands of people immigrate to the U.S. each year without the help of an immigration lawyer.
On an hourly basis, the cost of an immigration lawyer ranges from $150 to $300.
Examples of immigration violations include entering without inspection, visa overstays, marriage fraud and misrepresentation on previous applications. Although immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can generally overcome a visa overstay without a lawyer, other relatives will need help.
The meeting may be in an office, but these days it is typically online (Skype, Zoom, etc.) or on the phone. An initial consultation may last 30 to 60 minutes. This gives you a chance to evaluate your chances of success and if you have confidence in the lawyer. For the lawyer, it’s an opportunity to get sell his or her services. It’s very common to find an initial consultation for $150 or less. However, some attorneys choose to charge their regular rates.
Therefore, investing in the cost of an immigration lawyer is generally a good idea.
Most people are shocked at the cost of an immigration lawyer. While it can be expensive, certain people have needs that justify the expense. After all, a lawyer who specializes in immigration law can help you navigate a difficult situation. That may mean the difference between deportation and lawful permanent residence.
The truth is that not all lawyers are equal. Like any profession, there are good lawyers and not-so-good lawyers. Some attorneys practice in several areas. For example, a criminal defense or personal injury may do immigration law on the side for additional clients.
Sometimes you just have an unusual situation. A foreign diplomat adjusting status to permanent resident or a naturalization applicant with presumed disruption in the continuous residence requirement have more complicated cases. These circumstances are generally best addressed by a legal professional and justify the immigration lawyer cost.
In addition to assisting with the application forms, a lawyer can help you gather the necessary documents and prepare for the interview.
Immigration attorneys normally charge a “flat,” or fixed, fee rather than billing by the hour. In fact, our survey showed that 96% of our readers paid their lawyers a flat fee to handle their adjustment-of-status applications. Most immigration applicants prefer fixed legal fees, because they know from the start exactly what it will cost. And in standard cases, lawyers are able to predict approximately how much time they will need to spend.