how much does it cost to hire a lawyer and complete the whole k1 visa process?

by Warren Cormier 6 min read

Government FeesVariable Costs
USCIS Filing Fee: $535Travel Costs
Embassy Fee: $265Medical Exam (Varies by country.)
Total Government fees: $800Assistance (ie. RapidVisa or an attorney)

How much does a K-1 visa lawyer cost?

Lawyers charge extraordinary fees for services on top of the K-1 visa cost. A simple 1-hour consultation can set you back anywhere from $75-$300+ depending on their fees. Why are they so high? Well, first: they’re running a business.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for CR-1?

Attorney fees for filing a CR-1 Petition for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder averages $725 with the USCIS fees costing $535. Typical processing time is 10 to 14 months. Green Card lawyer fees range from $795 to $2,900 depending on your situation.

What is a K-1 visa interview?

The K-1 visa interview is designed to allow immigration officers an opportunity to determine if your relationship is a sham created with the purpose of entering the U.S. through fraudulent means. While this may seem intimidating, it should not be a serious issue for those who maintain a legitimate relationship with their foreign fiancé (e).

How much does it cost to apply for a working visa?

Working Visas In USA Cost. When applying for an H-1B Working Visa in the USA, you will likely spend $1,195 to $1,495 on attorney fees, and between $460 and $2,460 on USCIS filing fees.

Can a lawyer help with a K-1 visa?

Once officially married, your k1 visa attorney can help you apply for a Green Card using Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

How much does a US 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 is the whole K-1 visa process?

The total cost for a K-1 visa is roughly $1000. Here is a breakdown of K-1 visa costs: The government's required fee for Form I-129F is $535. An applicant may pay with a money order, cashier's check, or personal check.

How much does it cost to sponsor K-1 visa?

$535Fiancé or K-1 visa cost: $2,025 The U.S. citizen partner completes the appropriate government form (I-129F – “petition for a K-1 Visa”), and mails it to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with the $535 filing fee.

Is it worth getting an immigration lawyer?

Immigration Lawyers Offer Case Efficiency and Risk Reduction This will save you time and money, and could avoid your receiving a rejection of your application, or a request for more evidence (RFE). Furthermore, a lawyer can prepare you for your interview at a consulate abroad, or at USCIS within the country.

Do you automatically get a green card when you marry a US citizen?

The beneficiary, or person who is applying to receive a green card, is generally automatically eligible to receive a green card once they are lawfully married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

How long does K-1 visa take 2021?

Regarding the K1 visa processing time, it takes about 8 months to 1 year to get your K1 visa. Once you are in the United States on your K1 visa, it takes about another 7 to 9 months to get your green card and become a permanent resident.

How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2021?

Average time -- Five to 30 months to get the Form I-130 approved by USCIS; no time on the Visa Bulletin waiting list as of early 2022, and the rest depending on various complicated circumstances.

How long does K-1 visa take 2022?

approximately 9 to 12 monthsAs of March 2022, K-1 visa processing took approximately 9 to 12 months (USCIS time to process Form I-129F). Click here to see exact ranges based on your service center. In addition to that, it takes between three to four weeks to receive notice from the National Visa Center with further instructions.

How many K1 visas are approved each year?

In 2015 and 2016, an average of 49,000 I-129F petitions were approved. In 2017 and 2018 an average of 34,000 petitions were approved.

What is faster fiancé or marriage visa?

If the goal is for the couple to be together in the U.S. as soon as possible, the K-1 visa is most likely the fast path. From the date of filing to the date of admission to the U.S., it will take approximately 5-10 months on a K-1 fiancé visa. On the other hand, the marriage visa may take 10-16 months.

How long is the processing time for fiancé visa?

approximately 8 to 11 monthsK-1 Visa Processing Time Summary After filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, it may take approximately 8 to 11 months to obtain a K-1 visa. It may be shorter for some and longer for others. As explained, the K-1 processing time can vary based on the agencies that adjudicate the many steps.

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 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 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.

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 ...

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 an Immigration Lawyer?

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.

Who Needs an Immigration Lawyer?

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.

What Are the Different Cost Factors for an Immigration Lawyer?

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:

What Are the Average Costs for an Immigration Lawyer?

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.

Conclusion

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!).

What is a K-1 visa?

The K-1 fiancé (e) visa is a nonimmigrant classification of marriage-based visa that is designed for the foreign-born fiancé (e)s of U.S. citizens. It gives those foreign fiancé (e)s the opportunity to come to the U.S. with the intention of marrying their U.S. citizen fiancé (e)s who are sponsoring their visas.

When should a K-1 adjust?

K-1 (foreign fiancé (e)s) holders should adjust their statuses as soon as they marry their U.S. citizen fiancé (e). K-2 holders (children of foreign fiancé (e)s) should adjust their statuses at the same time as their K-1 parent. K-3 holders (foreign spouses) can adjust their statuses as soon as they enter the U.S.

What is an E in immigration?

Definition of a Fiancé (e) According to the regulations set by United States immigration law, the official definition of a fiancé (e) is anyone who receives an I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) that has been approved.

Where to send I-129F?

citizen lives. It is important to note that the I-129F cannot be submitted to a U.S. embassy, consulate, or overseas USCIS office.

What is a foreign fiance's birth certificate?

The foreign fiancé (e) ’s birth certificate. Divorce and/or death certificates from any prior marriages for both the foreign citizen fiancé (e) and the sponsoring U.S. citizen. The police certificate from the country in which the foreign-born fiancé (e) currently resides.

Can I-129F be filed with USCIS?

on the date when the. I-129F petition is filed with the USCIS.

Can I leave the US on a K-1 visa?

A K-1 visa holder upon arriving in the US is not allowed to leave and re-enter on the same visa. If you intend to exit the country then re-enter it’s recommended to apply for a travel document with Form I-131 or adjust your status to legal permanent resident.

The top 4 questions about hiring a lawyer to handle your Fiance K-1 visa

The top 4 questions we all have regarding hiring lawyers, filing services or an expert:

Reasons you should hire Legal help

I have to admit: lawyers are good. They’re professionals who know a thing or two about immigration. They oversee your case and help if you have questions. And they’re allowed to do almost everything on your behalf in your fiance K-1 visa process, such as…

Reasons you should NOT hire Legal help

Even if lawyers effectively “replace you” in paperwork, there’s still a huge list of things that they can’t do. Here are a few….

How do I choose a lawyer?

If you decide to go with an attorney make sure he/she is experienced and willing to work with you. Here’s how to spot a good versus not-so-good lawyer…

Should I hire a lawyer?

It depends. If you have the right mix of the following things, you may need one:

How much is the fee for a fiance visa in 2021?

As of 2021, the total Fiance visa filing fee to the USCIS is $535. It should be payable to the US Department of Homeland Security. Check the USCIS latest fees for the current amount. . . Add the cost of mailing the actual application to the USCIS (Fedex, UPSP, etc).

Where is the I-129F case sent?

After the USCIS approves your I-129F petition, the case is sent to the NVC and then to U.S. Consulate in your fiance’s country. Before the actual interview, however, your fiance pays for a number of fees. These include: