Navigating the crucial aspects of immigration law, which is so dynamic and complex, all alone like a one-man army will be a risky move. In any case, you must seek an immigration lawyer. However, the most basic query that can overwhelm your rational mind is the cost of hiring an immigration lawyer. In this article, you’ll be guided through the factors that cause immigration lawyers’ fees to vary, the factors to be kept in mind while selecting an immigration lawyer, and the standard fee structure.
Considerations for Hiring a Lawyer
Here are some of the benefits of hiring an immigration lawyer:
- The attorney will be familiar with the immigration process and ensure that your application is completed correctly and efficiently.
- The attorney can represent you in front of USCIS if there are any problems with your application or petition.
- The attorney can help you understand the requirements of the H-1B visa and answer any questions that you may have.
In case you’ve made up your mind to hire an attorney, it’s vital to weigh the costs and benefits of the same. You must also calculate the value an immigration lawyer brings to your table before you decide to hire one. Our professional immigration lawyers at H1bvisajobs.com provide you with peace of mind and a guaranteed promise to fulfill your dream of living and working in the U.S.
How to Choose the Right Immigration Lawyer
It is important to do your research and interview several immigration attorneys before choosing one. Here are some of the factors you should consider when choosing an immigration attorney:
- Experience: Make sure the attorney has experience handling immigration processes. You can ask about their experience with similar cases along with the number of cases they’ve represented in court. You should also make sure that the attorney is a member of AILA (America Immigration Lawyers Association), as this shows that they are familiar with the latest immigration laws and regulations.
- Fees: Get quotes from several attorneys before making a decision. Be sure to understand what services are included in the fee and what additional fees may be incurred.
- Education: The attorney should have a law degree from an accredited law school. A master’s degree in immigration law is not required, but it is a plus.
- Track record: Ask about the attorney’s track record of success. How many H-1B visa petitions have they filed? What is their success rate?
- Communication: Make sure you feel comfortable communicating with the attorney. You’ll need to be able to ask questions and get clear answers throughout the process.
- Availability: Make sure the attorney is available to answer your questions and help you with your case. You should be able to get in touch with them in the time of crisis.
It’s also important to remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best option. You may end up paying more in the long run if you choose an attorney who isn’t experienced or who doesn’t have a good track record. The U.S. employer must attest that s/he will pay the foreign worker the prevailing wage for the position and must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
It is worth noting that the immigration process is complex and can be challenging to navigate without legal assistance. And immigration lawyers tend not to be significantly paid legal professionals. However, few cases related to family and asylum-based applicants demand extra involvement and additional care, so the fees are adjusted accordingly.
The cost of hiring an immigration attorney can vary depending on the:
- Experience of the immigration lawyer– the wider the experience, the higher will be the price.
- Complexity of your case– More complicated cases demand extra time, effort, and expertise, resulting in higher costs.
- Demand for the services– Services that are mostly in demand lead to higher costs.
- Location of the attorney– If the immigration lawyer is local and resides within the periphery of your locality or in small cities, then the cost may vary, as in it’ll be lower.
Before selecting an immigration lawyer, you must get a quote from as many immigration lawyers as you can for the services that you seek. In fact, doing an initial consultation with the immigration lawyer is also highly recommended. This will help you to evaluate the level of comfort s/he offers and the fees s/he charges.
Some immigration lawyers offer free initial consultation, while some charge fees. The initial consultation charges range anything from $100 to $400. By spending the amount, you can grab the benefits of inquiring about their fee structure for your specific case and later compare the fee structures offered by different immigration lawyers to ensure that you get the best deal without compromising on the service quality.
Some immigration lawyers charge on an hourly basis, which ranges between $150 to $300, while some charge a flat fee or contingency fee for a specific application.
What Are the Average Costs for an Immigration Lawyer?
As mentioned above, some factors can potentially influence the actual cost of an immigration lawyer. Below are the average costs you might be expected to pay to an immigration lawyer for varied visa kinds. Notably, these fees don’t include USCIS filing fees.
Cost for Work Visas
Here’s the list of work visas and the average fees you’re expected to pay to the immigration lawyer:
- 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
Expect to pay the following average lawyer fees in case you plan to visit the U.S. on a B-visa, or you need to renew, extend, or change your B1 or B2 visa:
- B1 visa – $400
- B1 or B2 visa renewal, extension, or change of status application – $400.
Cost for Spouse and Fiancé Visas
For fiancé or spouse visas, you can expect to pay the following average attorney fees:
- K1 visa (filed for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen) – $750 to $2000
- CR-1 petition (filed for the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) – $795
Note that these fees don’t include the adjustment of the status application, which follows later.
Cost for Green Cards
The average green card lawyer fees are mentioned below:
- Marriage-based green card– $800 to $4000
- If you are a sibling of a U.S. citizen – $795
- If you are a parent of a U.S. citizen – $795
- Employer-Sponsored Labor Certification with PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) – $2000
- Multinational Executives and Managers & L-1A Visa Holders – $2500
- Outstanding Professors or Researchers – $1500
- Registered Nurses – $1400
- Physical Therapists – $1400
- I-140 based adjustment of status – $825
- National Interest Waiver – $2900
- AC-21 Portability for Pending I-485 Petitions – $395
- EB1 Extraordinary Ability – $2900.
Cost for U.S. Citizenship
You can expect to pay an average fee of $500 in case you need an immigration attorney to help you with your N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Schedule a Consultation Today
At h1bvisajobs.com, we understand the complexities involved in navigating dynamic rules and regulations of immigration and the challenges that one may encounter.
Therefore, our team of experienced immigration lawyers is committed to offering you the substantial support and expertise you need while obtaining your immigration goals. Besides, we offer free initial consultation. If you’re wondering as to how much an immigration lawyer will cost or have any other queries, you must contact us . Call us now!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost on Average?
The cost of hiring an immigration attorney can vary depending on the experience of the immigration lawyer, the complexity of your case, the services you demand, and the location of the lawyer. The average cost of an immigration lawyer ranges from a few hundred dollars for simple cases to several thousand dollars for complex immigration cases. A few instances of different immigration cases and the associated costs are mentioned below:
Family-based immigration: $1,500 – $5,000
Employment-based immigration issues: $2,000 – $7,000
Green card assistance: $800 – $5,000.
Citizenship and naturalization: $1,000 – $3,000
Asylum and refugee applications: $1,000 – $7,000
Deportation defense: $2,000 – $15,000 (Sometimes more, as it’s a highly sensitive and complicated matter).
What Are the Different Fee Structures for Immigration Lawyers?
There are several fee structures that immigration lawyers may use, including:
Hourly Rate: Some immigration lawyers charge an hourly rate for their services. The total cost will depend on the number of hours worked on your case.
Flat Fee: With this structure, the lawyer charges a set fee for specific immigration services, regardless of the time spent on the case.
Contingency Fee: In some cases, immigration lawyers may work on a contingency fee basis, where they only receive payment if they win your case or secure a specific outcome.
Retainer Fee: Some lawyers may require a retainer fee upfront, which is a deposit against which hourly fees are charged as the case progresses.
It’s worth discussing fee structures with potential immigration lawyers to understand their billing practices and ensure transparency in the financial aspect of your case.
What Additional Costs Should I Consider When Hiring an Immigration Lawyer?
Besides paying the lawyer’s fees, you must consider the following additional costs:
- Filing fees with USCIS.
- Translation and document preparation fees.
- Travel expenses, if required.
- Expenses related to medical exams or background checks.
- Application fees for visas or green cards.
Can I Get a Free Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer?
Definitely! Some immigration lawyers offer free initial consultation, while some charge fees.
Such consultation helps you to grab the benefits of inquiring about their fee structure for your specific case and later compare the fee structures offered by different immigration lawyers to ensure that you get the best deal without compromising on the service quality.