why passport is needed on initial consultation on immigration lawyer

by Gage Berge 5 min read

How can a visa immigration lawyer help me?

Some visa immigration lawyers offer a free consultation to meet, become acquainted and discuss ways in which their associates can assist you with visa and immigration issues. The purpose of an initial visit is for you and the attorney to determine if representation makes sense, and for you to decide if the attorney is the right choice for you.

How can a free immigration consultation help you?

Scheduling a free immigration consultation with a reputable immigration attorney is the first step to solving your immigration problems. The team at Davis & Associates is eager to answer all of your questions and guide you on what your options are.

Why do I need a formal immigration lawyer contract?

A formal written contract is essential to ensure that both the immigration lawyer and the client are aware of the expectations and responsibilities. You can expect to enter into a written contract with the attorney you choose, and you’ll both be expected to hold up your end of the bargain.

Is immigration law your attorney’s primary focus?

Many law firms include immigration law as only one part of a broader portfolio of specialties. If immigration law is not the attorney’s primary focus, changing laws and accelerated enforcement may catch him or her off guard.

How do I prepare for immigration Consultation?

5 Tips to Make the Most of your Immigration ConsultationAsk the Prospective Attorney Questions about His or Her Experience. ... Tell the Lawyer if Your Case Involves an Emergency. ... Bring the Necessary Immigration Documents to Your Appointment. ... Bring Copies of Criminal Records, if Applicable. ... Take Good Notes.

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.

What is the difference between immigration lawyer and immigration consultant?

Services: When it comes to practicing immigration law, lawyer and consultants can offer most of the same services. Lawyers however can represent a client in federal court for complicated cases, whereas a consultant can only go up to the appeal tribunal level when there is an issue with an application.

Can a lawyer go to an immigration interview?

There are immigration attorneys who will agree to attend just for an interview as long as they can review the file ahead of time.

Why immigration cases are taking so long?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resource constraints resulting from the prior administration, USCIS inherited a significant number of pending cases and increased processing times.

How long does I-130 take to get approved 2022?

between 5 to 16 monthsFor immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, I-130 processing times currently vary between 5 to 16 months (as of April. 13, 2022). The sooner you get started on your I-130 application, the better.

What do immigration consultants charge?

According to various research reports, The immigration consultants charge in India is about 50,000 to 1,50,000 . It totally depends on the company you go to. If you go for a very popular company that guarantees results, the immigration consultants charge in India is slightly higher.

Can immigration consultant give legal advice?

Immigration consultants are only trained in immigration and refugee law. This means that they are not trained to give advice in any other areas of the law.

What does an immigration consultant do?

Immigration consultants help people immigrate from one country to another for study, work, travel or business purpose. They provide legal services in the area of immigration law as permitted by legislation.

What does initial interview mean USCIS?

Interviews with USCIS are a normal part of the green card application process, allowing the agency to confirm the information you and your petitioner have provided on the petition and your application for adjustment of status and review all the facts with you present.

What should I bring to immigration interview?

Items to Take to InterviewA government-issued photo identification such as a passport (even if expired) but can also be any other government-issued photo ID like a driver's license.Appointment notice (I-797C, Notice of Action) for your I-485 interview.A complete copy of your adjustment of status application package.More items...•

What questions are asked at an immigration interview?

Immigration Status-Related Interview Questions What is your legal status in the United States? When did you come to the United States? How do you come to the United States? Are you a legal resident?

What should an immigration lawyer do after a thorough analysis of your case?

After a thorough analysis of your case and setting the final objectives, your immigration lawyer should present you with an actionable plan with a set timeline, and following steps, you should undertake explained in detail. The main purpose of this strategy is to avoid all potential risks you might confront while your application process is in progress. This plan should cover the deadlines for collecting all the necessary documentation, affidavits, and interview preparations.

What to ask an immigration lawyer after presenting a case?

After you present your case to an immigration lawyer it is almost expected to ask for an opinion about your case. An experienced and reputable immigration lawyer will give you an honest and realistic idea of your prospects, final outcome, and chances for success.

Is it important to get a local immigration lawyer?

However, if your case involves appearances before local immigration judges or the local USCIS district office, it is recommended to get a local immigration lawyer.

Before a Consultation

Prospective clients should gather documents that relate to their immigration history including any previous petitions filed on their behalf, along with any notices from US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).

Why Is There a Consultation Fee?

In addition to law school, most experienced attorneys have years of valuable experience in determining appropriate visa categories, case strategies, how USCIS adjudicates cases, and spotting potential problems or issues for cases. This knowledge and experience is used during a consultation to evaluate the case and decide upon the best strategy.

During the Consultation

Although many prospective clients may come in for one specific issue, it's important for the attorney to get a full picture of their immigration situation. The attorney will ask detailed questions about their immigration history, past and current visas and status, as well as educational and work experience.

After the Consultation

The initial consultation, as mentioned, should answer the prospective client’s questions, outline any available immigrant or nonimmigrant visa options, as well as provide fees and a timeline. For those prospective clients who are happy with the information provided, that’s great.

Retain the Attorney to Start Work on the Case

For prospective clients who are ready for the attorney to begin work, they should obtain the retainer agreement, thoroughly review, ask questions if they don’t understand parts of it, and sign once terms are understood and acceptable.

What should a visa immigration lawyer do?

The plan should include a timeline and defined deliverables. When you explain your case to an attorney, he or she will most likely have a good idea about what to do from the start – and after a good conversation, the attorney you’re working with will fine-tune a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.

What happens if immigration law is not the attorney's primary focus?

If immigration law is not the attorney’s primary focus, changing laws and accelerated enforcement may catch him or her off guard. Knowledge and experience are the best defense, and dedicated visa immigration lawyers understand how to manage unique situations.

What is the first step to solving your immigration problems?

Scheduling a free immigration consultation with a reputable immigration attorney is the first step to solving your immigration problems. The team at Davis & Associates is eager to answer all of your questions and guide you on what your options are.

What is AILA membership?

Membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association, or AILA , is an endorsement of the attorney’s commitment to immigration law. It shows that the lawyer you’re working with demonstrates a desire to staying abreast of new developments and best practices.

What is the purpose of an initial visit?

The purpose of an initial visit is for you and the attorney to determine if representation makes sense, and for you to decide if the attorney is the right choice for you. Not all attorneys offer this consultation for free, though, so you should check before you start scheduling appointments with lawyers all over town.

What is the adage that there is no substitute for experience in immigration law?

The adage that there is no substitute for experience is as true in immigration law as it is elsewhere. Knowing how immigration courts operate, understanding law enforcement, or even having gained the respect of the officials involved can put your case in a more favorable light. Attorneys who are familiar with court policies and procedures can navigate the system more easily than those who don’t – and it never hurts to work with a lawyer who has worked with immigration cases long enough to have earned a name for him- or herself.

Why is integrity important in law?

Integrity is important (especially because some attorneys accept cases and fees even when they believe there is no chance for success), and you want to work with an attorney who believes in what you’re trying to accomplish. Again, no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome.

What should an immigration attorney tell you about?

An experienced immigration attorney should be able to tell you about some of the problems people may have in their immigration processes and explain if these problems can be avoided or discuss ways to minimize risks in your case.

What is immigration law?

Immigration law is a highly technical area of law with lots of particular requirements depending on the type of application a person submits and when it is submitted. It’s also an area of law that involves lots of procedural changes that can affect a case.

Can an attorney confirm if there is something she can do to help?

However, be aware that sometimes the attorney won’t be able to confirm if there is something she can do to help until she knows all the facts, and that’s what consultations are for – sitting down with a prospective client to get the background information so the attorney can suggest solutions for your needs.

10 Questions to Ask When Meeting With Visa Immigration Lawyers

Here is a list of 10 Questions you should ask your Immigration Lawyer during your first consultation:

Final Thoughts

With over 10 years of immigration law experience, we can assist you in your family, employment, or asylum-based immigration case. Please contact us to schedule your initial consultation.

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.

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 ...

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.