how much lawyer for green card petition

Immigration Lawyer Prices

Immigration Type	Lawyer Fees
Application for Employment Authorization	$250 – $500
Citizenship/Naturalization Application	$500 – $1,200
Family-Based Green Card Petition	$800 – $1,500
Employment-Based Green Card Petitions	$1,500 – $5,000

Apr 27 2022

Full Answer

How much does it cost to get a green card attorney?

Green Card by Employer-Sponsored Labor Certification with PERM Attorney Fee: $3350 (for PERM process), $2200 for I-140, $1500 for I-485/AP/EAD (*PERM Audit response fee = $1000, if applicable) USCIS Fee: $700.

Do I need an immigration lawyer to get a green card?

In short, though you are not required to get an attorney, most people are happy with their decision to have done so. (See this survey on Family-Based Green Cards: Are Immigration Lawyers Worth the Cost?) What's So Difficult About Applying for a Green Card? The U.S. immigration system is widely regarded as "broken."

Can I get a green card through self petition?

For this reason, successfully applying for an EB1A visa or for a national interest waiver can be thought of as getting a green card through self petition. 2. What are the Benefits of a Green Card Through Self Petition

Which is the best law firm for green card holders?

Hands down, Ashoori Law is a firm that you can rely on. As a greencard holder working abroad, It can be quite a struggle to do your own legwork in applying for a travel document especially in these trying times with the pandemic.

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 does a green card cost in legal fees?

$2750Legal Fees Our flat fee for an Adjustment of Status (Greencard) application + the travel and work permit is $2750 (past and current clients are eligible for a discount; please call for details). The fee is the same whether you have filed the form I–130 previously or not.

Can a lawyer speed up the green card 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 it cost to sponsor someone for a green card?

Mandatory FeesGreen Card CostsFamily Sponsorship Form (I-130)$535$535Green Card Application Form (I-485)$1,140Not requiredFinancial Support Form (I-864)$0$120Work Permit Application Form (I-765) (optional)$0Not required7 more rows

How can I get green card fast in USA?

There are several quick ways to achieve that goal.Marriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. ... Immigration through family reunification. ... Political Asylum in the USA. ... Immigration of extraordinary ability people. ... Investment immigration.

How much does a green card cost 2022?

The fees are (as of early 2022): $535 for an I-130; $435 for an I-360 (with exemptions for VAWA and many other applicants); $535 for an I-129F; and $700 for an I-140.

Which state is easiest to get a green card?

Best 5 States to Immigrate to in the USCalifornia. With the largest numbers of immigrants living in the US, California is one of the best states to go with your dream card. ... New York, New York. ... Montgomery Country, Maryland. ... Washington State. ... New Haven, Connecticut.

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.

How long does it take for I-130 to be approved 2022?

between 5 and 14.5 monthsForm I-130 Processing Times For immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried child under 21 or parent) of a U.S. citizen, the wait times for Form I-130 are currently between 5 and 14.5 months (as of June 2022). The sooner you get started on your I-130 application, the better.

What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant?

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 the I 130 petition cost?

$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 US sponsorship cost?

In general, a visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 but may cost $8-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals....How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Visa?Visa/FormCostAmerican Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 charges$750 to $1,5004 more rows•Mar 16, 2022

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 Do Immigration Lawyers 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 and time commitments required.

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 it cost to become a US citizen?

US citizenship lawyer fees are $500 on average to fill out the application for naturalization and $725 for the USCIS fees. Processing time usually takes 6 to 9 months to complete this task.

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.

Is it hard to get legal immigration?

Obtaining your legal immigration status is complicated and often overwhelming, so when hiring legal assistance, here's what you need to know .

Is experience important in investing in a lawyer?

Please note: As stated above, it's important to note that although it's critical that you invest in a lawyer that has maintained a positive reputation, more experience is not always the most vital factor.

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 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.

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.

How Much Is a Green Card Lawyer Fee?

Green card lawyer fees vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. This explains why it’s important to set up an initial consultation with your lawyer. The immigration attorney evaluates your petition and then suggests a fee. At the Law Office of Serah Waweru, we charge our clients reasonable fees because we understand how expensive it is to file for a green card.

Where Can I Find Some Good Reviews on Lawyers for Green Card?

We always encourage our clients to review our services. This gives other potential clients like you an idea of what to expect when contacting our immigration attorneys. Check out some of our reviews on Google to find out what other clients are saying about us.

Can You Hire an Immigration Lawyer To Renew Green Card?

Yes, an immigration lawyer can help review your application for green card renewal.

Can You Hire a Lawyer To Expedite Your Green Card?

Secondly, such an attorney can contact the USCIS on your behalf to follow up on your petition if the delay is longer than normal. So if you’re wondering, ‘can a lawyer speed up green card application process?’ the answer is YES.

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.

How to get a Perm certification?

In order to obtain a PERM Labour Certification, your employer will have to prove that they were not able to find a suitably qualified U.S employee for the position. You will also need to be employed on a full-time, permanent basis.

How long do you have to work for a L-1 visa?

To be eligible, you must have worked at the foreign office of the company for one year in the three years prior to your application.

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.

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.

Is it expensive to get a green card?

Applying for a visa or a green card can be costly and the hefty fees can easily become an obstacle towards fulfilling your dreams. This is especially considering you’ll probably have to pay an attorney to assist you in the process.

Does withholding information affect the cost of a case?

Be advised that withholding information may affect not only the cost for your case but also the approach we take. We understand that neglecting to mention some information (i.e., criminal, financial, etc.) may not be intentional and may later reveal itself during the filing proceedings. In these cases, if any additional work or fees are required, we will communicate them to you, the client.

Does SGM offer free 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:

Is immigration a serious matter?

Remember that your immigration status is a very serious matter which should be handled by only a qualified and experienced immigration attorney. Our immigration attorney fees are among the most competitive and our customer dedication is exceptional, bar none. Should you have any questions regarding the fees listed below, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with a senior paralegal or lawyer.

Why do lawyers hold special meetings?

Lawyers' associations hold special meetings just to discuss the latest ways of contacting someone within the immigration bureaucracy when something like this goes wrong. (The government doesn't make it easy.) Without a lawyer's help, you might spend hours on hold waiting to talk to an immigration customer service officer, only to be told by someone who has no actual access to your file that your case is "pending."

Is legal representation worth it?

As with any legal representation, there are fees to pay. But when you consider the time and headaches saved, it can be well worth it.

Is it better to be knowledgeable about a lawyer?

True, the more knowledgeable you are about the process you're about to undertake, and about the work you're paying the lawyer to perform, the better off you'll be.

Can you prepare a case yourself?

But when it comes to actually preparing the whole case yourself ... yes, some people have done it, and succeeded. If you really can't afford any other option, there are resources to help you, such as the articles found, and the books mentioned on, this site.

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.

How much does it cost to file an I-485?

Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status is used for this process; more information about the filing fees associated with it can be found on the I-485 page of the USCIS website, but most people had to pay $1,225 as of 2020.

How to find the I-130 fee?

The I-130 petition filing fee is subject to change, as USCIS raises its fees on a fairly regular basis and has proposed doing so in 2020. Always check the USCIS Web page for Form I-130 to confirm the fee before you file. You can also find out the current filing fee by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

What happens if I prepare my own I-130?

If, for example, you prepared your own I-130 petition and there are lots of mistakes in it, it is possible the attorney will spend more time fixing your work than had he or she started the petition from scratch.

What is an I-130 form?

Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative is the form that a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident submits to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when sponsoring a qualified relative for permanent residence (a green card) in the United States.

How much does it cost to get an I-130?

Most attorneys will charge you a flat fee for preparing an I-130 petition. An average flat fee for the I-130 approval process is around $800; but realize that this is only step one in a lengthy process, and the total fee to see it through will likely be a few thousand dollars. (Also see this survey of what people paid lawyers for family-based green card help.)

Is flat fee a good idea?

A flat fee is ordinarily a good choice, particularly if you have a complicated case that requires a lot of documentation.

How to get a green card without a sponsor?

There are also ways to get a green card without a US company sponsor. Two of these ways are: (1) the EB1A visa; and (2) the National Interest Waiver. Through both of these options, you do not need a job offer and you do not need a company to file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf. Instead, you apply for the immigrant visa on your own behalf.

What are the benefits of self petitioning for a green card?

1. You do not need a job offer from a US company. Many qualified professionals have a lot of difficulty securing a job offer from a US company.

What is an EB1A visa?

The EB1A visa is is a visa classification for people with an extraordinary ability in either the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

What are the requirements for an EB1A visa?

There are 3 requirements for getting an EB1A visa: 1. You must demonstrate that you have an extraordinary ability in a particular field in the arts, sciences, business, education, or athletics. 2. You seek to enter the United States to continue to work in the field of your extraordinary ability. 3.

How to sponsor foreign workers for green card?

To sponsor foreign workers for a green card, a US employer must get a Labor Certification through the Department of Labor. Getting an approved Labor Certification requires your employer to show that they were unable to find a qualified US worker to fill the position that they are hiring you for.

Can a US company sponsor a foreign national?

Many US companies are hesitant to sponsor foreign nationals for a green card based on the time and expense involved in the process as well as the uncertainty that the foreign worker will stay with the company long-term.