how much does it cost to see an immigration lawyer

by Electa Steuber 9 min read

Legal Fees Start to End

Government Filing Fees Immigration Lawyer Cost Total Cost
Marriage-based Green Card (from abroad) I-130: $535 DS-260: $325 I-864: $120 Med ... $2000 – 3500 (Based on a survey of New Y ... $3400 – 4900
Marriage-based Green Card (living in the ... I-130: $535 I-485: $1,140 Biometrics: $8 ... $2400 – 3500 $4360 – $5460
Green Card for Parent (1 Parent, from ab ... I-130: $535 DS-260: $325 I-864: $120 Med ... $1500 – 3500 $2900 – 4900
Citizenship / Naturalization Application N-400: $640 Biometrics: $85 Total: $725 $1200 – $2500 $1925 – $3225
Apr 23 2022

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.

Full Answer

What are the requirements to become an immigration lawyer?

7 rows · An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation ...

Is an immigration lawyer worth the cost?

Apr 28, 2022 · You can expect to pay the following average immigration lawyer fees for the following work visas: H1B Visa – $1,195 to $1,495 H4 visa – $200 to $400 H1B1 visa – $995 J1 visa waiver – $995 L1 visa – $2,500 E3 visa – $500 TN visa – $500. Cost for Visitor Visas

How much do immigration lawyers get paid?

5 rows · Oct 28, 2019 · Immigration Lawyer Cost: Total Cost: Marriage-based Green Card (from abroad) I-130: $535. ...

How much does immigration law firm pay?

Apr 28, 2022 · Attorney Fee: USCIS Fee: Other Fees: Green Card by Employer-Sponsored Labor Certification with ...

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How much does an immigration lawyer charge?

Although you can expect an hourly rate of between $150 to $300 for immigration lawyers, the cost structure immigration lawyers work on differ. Some charge an hourly fee, and some charge a flat fee for specific applications. The exact price an immigration lawyer will charge you after your initial consultation will depend on a wide range ...

Do immigration lawyers charge for consultation?

Some immigration lawyers offer a free initial consultation, while others will only charge you for the first consultation if you don’t engage their services afterward. Some lawyers charge you for both. Before you go to an attorney, be prepared to pay a reasonable consultation fee.

How much does a B visa cost?

If you plan to visit the United States on a B-visa, or you need to renew, extend, or change your B1 or B2 visa, you can expect to pay the following average lawyer fees: B1 visa – $400. B1 or B2 visa renewal, extension or change of status application – $400.

What factors affect the cost of an immigration lawyer?

Generally, however, the following factors will affect the price you are charged: 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.

Is immigration complicated?

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.

How much does an immigration lawyer charge?

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.

Why is a lawyer in California more expensive than in North Carolina?

However, a lawyer in California may have more exposure to the immigration issue you are facing. It is important to balance cost and experience.

Is it optional to file for a government filing fee?

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.

What happens if you are here illegally?

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.

Is a notario a lawyer?

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.

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.

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 can an immigration attorney do?

An immigration attorney can assist U.S. citizens, permanent residents and undocumented immigrants, and can help with student visas, work visas and travel visas, including expired or overstayed visas.

What factors affect the cost of immigration legal assistance?

Other factors that can affect the cost of legal assistance are the background and experience of the lawyer or firm, the firm’s reputation, and geographic location. Do your research when hiring an attorney ...

What is the job of an immigration lawyer in 2020?

citizenship and immigration process. Immigration attorneys focus on the nuances of immigration law to aid you in your process. An immigration attorney can assist U.S.

Is immigration legal draining?

Immigration laws are complex, and immigration cases can be emotionally and financially draining if you don't have the right advocate by your side. Research the attorney’s background and reputation, the cases they've handled, and their success rates — especially for complex cases.

How long does it take to get a green card?

In family-based immigration, a U.S. citizen petitions for permanent residence (a green card) on behalf of a spouse, a fiancee or other family members. Cases can take years to complete; once the application process is complete, there is a significant waiting period for visas for spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21.

Hiring an attorney means adding legal fees to your immigration case, but often, avoiding mistakes can save money and time down the road - and prevent visa denials and even removal from the U.S

Hiring an attorney means adding legal fees to your immigration case, but often, avoiding mistakes can save money and time down the road - and prevent visa denials and even removal from the U.S.

How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Charge?

Legal fees vary widely depending on the services needed. For example, hiring an attorney to help file a family-based immigration petition will be much less costly than hiring a lawyer to defend you in a deportation (removal) case before an immigration judge.

Why Pay for an Attorney?

There are three main reasons to consider hiring a qualified immigration attorney:

Immigration Lawyers Offer Case Efficiency and Risk Reduction

It is estimated that hiring an immigration lawyer to complete your immigrant or nonimmigrant visa application can save you four to eight weeks in processing time.

Illegal Presence: Determining Whether There's a Way to Stay in the U.S

Many individuals want to know if there are ways to adjust their status from undocumented (illegal) to legal resident. An immigration lawyer can review the facts and help you determine what avenues, if any, are available to you.

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