How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost? The cost of hiring an immigration lawyer varies based on factors such as the type of application, the services required, the lawyer’s experience, and location. Average fees for different types of visas range from $200 to $4,000, excluding USCIS filing fees.
Hiring an immigration lawyer is beneficial for complex cases where there is a lot at stake, such as potential separation from loved ones or deportation. Immigration lawyers are not, in general, the most highly paid legal professionals. Hiring an immigration attorney can significantly improve the success of a citizenship application.
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Many people want to know how much legal services for the immigration process will cost. Though legal services are extremely helpful, many families have strict budgets and need to know if they can afford an immigration lawyer.
What Is an Immigration Lawyer?
An immigration lawyer specializes in immigration law and helps navigate complex immigration cases. They provide expertise and assistance to ensure a successful outcome.
How Much Do Immigration Lawyers 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.
Here are some typical legal fees:
Initial Consultation Fee
Many lawyers will give you a free or low-cost 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 whether you have confidence in the lawyer. For the lawyer, it is an opportunity to sell his or her services. It is very common to find an initial consultation for $150 or less. However, some attorneys choose to change their regular rates.
Hourly Rate
Immigration lawyers usually charge $100 to $600 per hour. It usually comes with consultation or immigration court proceedings, for example, removal proceedings, because it is too hard to predict the cost and the lawyer’s time when dealing with litigation in court.
Flat Rate
Lawyers are more likely to offer fixed fees if the cases are clearly defined and it is easy to predict the processing times. Usually, immigration lawyers offer flat fees for most immigration cases. They may charge around $2,000 for a family-based immigrant petition, around $1,500 for a change of status case, and a work visa could cost between $23,500 and $8,000, depending on the type of visa and its circumstances.
Legal Services Fees
Once your lawyer determines the scope of work and how he or she can help, you will pay an additional fee for those services. There are a wide range of fees depending on your lawyer’s experience and the market. It’s smart to ask around and call more than one lawyer. 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/Naturalisation Application: $500 to $2,500
. Green Card Renewal: $300 to $700
. Asylum Application: $1,000 to $7,000
. Deportation Defense: $4,000 to $12,000 (and higher if the case gets more complicated)
All of these estimates get more expensive if you have criminal offenses or immigration violations. Of course, the immigration lawyer costs listed above do not include the USCIS filing fees, which vary by form.
Filing Fees
It is important to remember that there will be additional fees associated with immigration, aside from the attorney fees. When you file certain paperwork, you will need to pay fees through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The fees range from $460 to $700.
Pro Bono or Low-Cost Services
are options for individuals with low or no income. Many licensed attorneys will volunteer their time for certain individuals who can’t afford to pay. You can find these attorneys through the American Immigration Lawyers Association or the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
Factors That Determine the Price of An Immigration Lawyer
There are several reasons why immigration attorneys may charge high legal fees for their services. These are:
Complexity
Immigration law is a complex area that requires specialized knowledge and experience. As a result, lawyers may charge higher fees, reflecting the time and experience required to navigate these processes.
Their Level of Experience
Often, immigration lawyers with more experience charge higher fees, although this isn’t always the case. Make sure you weigh the fees charged against their level of experience. You want to get a good lawyer, but you don’t want to pay an unnecessary premium.
Demand
Immigration lawyers can be in high demand, especially when immigration policy changes or there is a high volume of immigration cases. Therefore, the higher the demand, the higher the cost.
Costs
Lawyers can incur high costs if they are required to prepare and file certain immigration documents. Also, the price increases if they must also represent their clients in court.
Where They Are Located
As with many other things, location influences the cost of immigration lawyers. Generally, immigration lawyers in big cities like New York or San Francisco charge more than immigration lawyers in small towns. Immigration lawyers in some states also tend to charge more than in other states.
Risk
Immigration cases can be risky for attorneys, as the outcome can have significant consequences for their clients. If so, this risk will be reflected in the attorneys’ fees.
When should I hire an Immigration Lawyer?
Immigration law in the United States is complicated. It is generally practical to hire an immigration lawyer to save time and money and avoid confusion. The situations when you need to hire an immigration lawyer are listed below.
. Unsure of your basic eligibility for a green card or other immigration benefit.
. Have trouble obtaining a USCIS green card, citizenship, or other immigration benefits.
. Need to provide extra documentation
. Require urgent assistance with the immigration situation.
. Seek an employment-based visa.
. Seek assistance in the application process because there are several forms and documentation that are either too complicated or time-consuming.
. Intend to move to the United States to work for a U.S. employer, but the business has not supported you with the immigration procedure.
. Have deportation or removal proceedings against you.
. Seek to apply for readmission after deportation.
. Accuse of a crime or committed a crime and seek re-entry to the United States or avoid expulsion from the country.
. Have an immigration application that was rejected.
Conclusion
Now you no longer have to wonder how much an immigration lawyer costs. 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!). So weigh up your options carefully, compare the different fees, and decide what would ultimately be best for your future.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Immigration Lawyer in California?
The total cost of your immigration legal help will depend upon the nature of your case, the time it takes to undergo the process and the hourly rates of your attorney. Hourly rates usually range from $150 to $300 per hour.
Assistance-filing forms average between $250 and $800. You can expect green card assistance to cost between $800 and $5,000. Though this may be a significant investment, it assures you that the process is done correctly.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Green Card with A Lawyer?
Your charge for a green card will depend on your situation. These are the averages for the following common situations:
. Marriage- $800-$4000
. Sibling of a U.S. Citizen- $795
. Parent of a U.S. Citizen- $795
. PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) or labor-sponsored– $2000
