how much does cost to do petition for alien relative for lawyer

by Isabella Rowe 9 min read

Immigration attorney fees differ depending on the Immigration Principle and the case that you would apply for. If you are applying for an I-130 or the Petition for Alien Relatives, an initial attorney fee will cost $800 with a filing fee of $535.

Here are some typical legal fees for common immigration services: Green Card Petition for Relative: $1,000 to $3,500. Adjustment of Status Application: $2,000 to $5,000. Citizenship/Naturalization Application: $500 to $2,500.Dec 29, 2020

Full Answer

How much does it cost to petition a relative living in USA?

How Much Does it Cost to Petition a Relative Living in the U.S. USCIS Form Fee Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative $535 *Form I-485, Adjustment of Status $1,140 Biometrics (Fingerprints and Photo) $85 Form I-693, Immigration Medical Exam $0 2 more rows ...

How much does it cost to file an I-130 petition?

The filing fee for the I-130 petition is currently (as of 2019) set at $535. If you are sponsoring more than one family member who qualifies as an “immediate relative,” you will have to file a separate I-130 petition and filing fee for each one. An “immediate relative” is the spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen.

How are immigration attorney fees calculated?

The attorney fees below are calculated based on the amount of work and number of hours that a qualified immigration attorney should spend on a typical case. If the case involves more challenging and complicated issues than a typical case, the fees for legal assistance might vary.

Are there any fees associated with applying for citizenship?

This chart does not include application fees or petition processing fees, which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services charges separately. You can find the list of USCIS fees at the end of this page. Please note that the USCIS has recently increased the filing fees.

How much does it cost to file for an alien relative?

$535$535. You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier's check. When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

How much is the fee for I-130 Petition for Alien Relative?

$535The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535. The filing fee for this petition cannot be waived. NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition.

How much does it cost to hire an immigration lawyer in the US?

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.

How much does it cost to petition someone from the Philippines?

The filing fee for the I-130 petition is (as of 2022) set at $535. If you are sponsoring more than one family member who qualifies as an "immediate relative," you will have to file a separate I-130 petition and filing fee for each one.

How much does it cost to get a green card with a lawyer?

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.

How long does it take for I-130 to be approved 2020?

5 to 9 monthMost Form I-130 petitions for immediate relatives are approved within a 5 to 9 month time frame, but they can take longer in some cases. If you are in the United States and also filed an application to adjust status, USCIS will begin reviewing Form I-485 at this point.

Can immigration lawyer speed up process?

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.

How much does immigration process cost?

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes $640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.

How much does an immigration advisor cost?

Prices for an adviser can range from $150 for a consultation, to an excess of $5,000 for a full visa service. For an immigration lawyer, prices also vary, usually in accordance with the service required.

How much money do I need to make to sponsor an immigrant 2020?

For example, in 2021, a sponsor in the U.S. mainland would need to have income (or assets) of at least $33,125 to cover a petitioner who lives alone and is sponsoring one immigrant and two children (that is, a total of four people).

How much does it cost to file immigration papers?

Most Form I-90 applications require a USCIS filing fee of $455 plus a biometric screening fee of $85. In some limited cases, certain applications may require no fee. To determine your exact fee, choose the reason why you are filing: Choose the reason why you are filing Form I-90.

How much income do I need for affidavit of support?

The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $22,887. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not in active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.

How much does it cost to consult with an attorney?

When you first meet with an attorney, you will almost always have to pay a consultation fee. A consultation fee can range anywhere from $75 to several hundred dollars depending on where the attorney is located and the size of the firm he or she works for.

What is an immediate relative?

An "immediate relative" is the spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen. If you are a permanent resident sponsoring more than one relative, ...

Do I need to file an I-130 for a derivative relative?

If you are a permanent resident sponsoring more than one relative, you are not required to file a separate I-130 petition for each relative who qualifies as a "derivative.". A derivative relative would include the children of your foreign national spouse. For more information on who qualifies, see Derivative Immigration Status For Family Members ...

Can I file an I-130 concurrently?

If you wish further services once the I-130 is approved; or if you're allowed to file the I-130 concurrently with an adjustment of status application ; preparing all paperwork for that step of the process and even accompanying the immigrant to the USCIS interview, or preparing the paperwork for consular processing.

How much does an immigration lawyer cost?

On an hourly basis, the cost of an immigration lawyer ranges from $150 to $300.

How long is a free initial consultation?

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.

What are some examples of immigration violations?

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.

Is it a good idea to invest in an immigration lawyer?

Therefore, investing in the cost of an immigration lawyer is generally a good idea.

Is it expensive to hire an immigration lawyer?

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.

Is a lawyer equal to a lawyer?

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.

Can a foreign diplomat adjust to permanent resident?

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.

What Factors are Used in Calculating Immigration Attorney Fees?

As with any lawyer in any of the numerous areas of legal practice, the cost of an immigration lawyer varies depending on a number of factors. The factors that have the the most impact on immigration lawyers’ fees are the following:

What Other Costs are Associated with Immigration Law Attorneys?

Usually the USCIS or courts charge a fee for the filing of an application or petition. Filing fees can cost from $500 to more than $1000 dollars. For example, the filing fee for a petition for an alien relative is now $535. Of course the person who is seeking the visa or change of status is responsible for paying this fee.

What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?

Immigration lawyers provide legal services involved in all phases of immigration law. They can represent immigrants who cross at the southern border of the U.S. and request asylum. They can represent companies seeking H1-B visas so they can hire foreign workers to fulfill their need for qualified workers who are not available in the U.S.

What are the Advantages of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer?

The advantage of hiring an immigration lawyer is that a person will have a representative who is experienced at providing the service the person needs and is familiar with the process involved in seeking a visa, change of status, or relief from deportation.

Do I Need to Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

Immigration laws and policies in the U.S. are constantly changing. An experienced immigration lawyer is a professional who has to stay abreast of changing laws, policies and procedures. You are most likely to get the best possible outcome in your case if you have an experienced immigration lawyer representing your interests.

How much does an immigration lawyer cost?

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.

How much does an immigration attorney charge?

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 ...

How much does it cost to get a K-1 visa?

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.

How much does a green card lawyer cost?

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.

What do immigration lawyers know?

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.

What is the form I-130?

Form I-130 of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is used to prove a relationship with an eligible relative who wishes to enter the United States permanently. Officially called “Petition for Alien Relative,” the filing of Form I-130 is the first step in a family member’s immigration process.

How long does it take to get a visa for a family member?

For applications from U.S. citizens sponsoring an immediate relative currently living in the United States, it usually takes between 7 and 13 months for approval. For applications sponsoring other family relatives living outside the United States, the U.S. limits the number of visas available.

What is the evidence of a sponsor's citizenship?

national status: A copy of a birth certificate showing birth in the United States; A copy of naturalization citizenship certification issued by the USCIS or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS);

What is the I-130?

Officially called “Petition for Alien Relative,” the filing of Form I-130 is the first step in a family member’s immigration process. The USCIS will approve your I-130 petition if you can show a valid relationship with your sponsored relative. Once approved, your family member can apply for a permanent residency that allows you to live ...

What is a copy of a passport?

A copy of an unexpired U.S. passport; An original statement from a U.S. consular official stating U.S. citizen with a valid passport; or. A copy of the front and back of a Permanent Residence Card (also known as a green card or a Form I-551). Evidence of family relationship with one or more of the following:

Where is the I-130 sent?

For a family member in the Immediate Relative Category who lives outside the United States, after USCIS approves the I-130 application, your I-130 file will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.

Can I file an I-130 online?

and Abroad. Regardless of where one is living – in the United States or abroad – Form I-130 can always be filed online with the help of SelfLawyer. Get help with Form I-130 from SelfLawyer here.

Nonimmigrant Work Visas

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.

Addressing Potential Issues

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.

Immigration Consultations

SGM Law Group only offers free general consultations to certain individuals/businesses who are looking to retain a law firm for the following cases:

What is a non-immigrant visa?

Non-immigrant work visas are visas that are obtained for the purpose to work, invest, trade and do business in the U.S. Non-immigrant visas only apply for a limited time period and do not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.

What is an EB-1 green card?

An EB-1 green card is an employment-based petition for permanent residency in the U.S. The EB-1C was specifically designed for the most skilled and proficient business managers and executives. EB-1 green cards do not require PERM labor certification

How long does a N-400 card last?

The N-400 application can be used by lawful permanent residents in the U.S, that is older than 18, to apply for U.S citizenship. Your green card must have been valid for at least 5 years prior to your application to be eligible. If your green card is based on marriage, it only has to be valid for three years.

What is CPR status?

CPR status (or conditional permanent resident status) is given to those people who received permanent residence in the U.S based upon marriage to a U.S citizen or permanent resident spouse. This status applies if you were married less than 2 years at the time you were granted a green card. CPR status expires after two years, so you have to do a timely application in order for the conditions on your residence to be removed. This application must be made before your green card expires, otherwise you might be deported.

Can a US citizen petition for a foreign citizen to live in the US?

U.S Citizens and legal permanent residents are allowed to petition for foreign relatives to come live in the U.S legally. There are two categories, namely Immediate Relative Petitions and Family Preference Petitions. The category of family members that are allowed to come to live in the U.S differs if you are a U.S citizen versus only being a green card holder.

Can a foreign national get an O-1 visa?

Foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in one of the below categories can obtain an O-1 non-immigrant visa. The purpose of the visa is for these individuals to engage in the activities in the U.S.