How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Depending on the services you require, the actual amount of legal costs that you pay can differ significantly.
For instance, the cost of hiring a lawyer to help you submit a family-based immigration petition will probably be far lower than the cost of hiring a lawyer to represent you in front of a judge in a deportation case.
The complexity of your case will, of course, affect how much your legal expenses will be.
However, prices for legal aid often range from $800 to $3000 for family-based green card petitions whereas they typically cost between $1500 and $7000 for employment-based petitions.
What is an Immigration Lawyer?
A lawyer who specialises in immigration law is called an immigration lawyer.
They help people and businesses get visas, green cards, citizenship, and other benefits related to immigration by giving them legal advice and help.
Immigration lawyers also know the rules and laws about immigration and can represent their clients in court.
Immigration Lawyer Fees
There isn’t often a predetermined immigration lawyer cost or flat price when you seek legal assistance. Instead, you’re more likely to discover a variety catered to the complexity of your case and the spectrum of work involved.
While the costs may at first seem excessive, it’s crucial to keep in mind that getting a green card can be challenging, and hiring an immigration lawyer can sometimes be more than just useful.
Yet, it can be useful to be aware of the variety of immigration lawyer costs before you employ one.
The typical costs for legal services are listed below.
| Legal Immigration Services | Typical Fees |
|---|---|
| Application for Employment Authorization (Work Permit) | $300 to $600 |
| Lawyer Fees Citizen Application (Form N-400) | $500 to $1500 |
| Family-Based Green Card Petition | $800 to $3000 |
| Employment-Based Petitions | $1500 to $7000 |
| Asylum Application | $1000 to $6000 |
| Adjustment of Status Application | $600 to $2500 |
| Deportation Defense | $2000 to $15,000 (Fees may increase if there are many court appearances or complex defense strategies required) |
Do You Really Need an Immigration Lawyer?
Lawyers make it easier to deal with difficult, complicated, and confusing immigration issues. They walk their clients through all the steps that need to be taken in applications and disputes and help them find solutions to difficult problems.
When a client hires an immigration lawyer, they feel at ease because:
- 😃 Can have a professional explain the legal process to them in detail.
- 😃 can be helped to make sure they don’t miss any important steps
- 😃 Find that things move a lot faster than you expected.
- 😃 Benefit from a lower chance of having your application rejected or getting fined.
Included in the total costs and fees for an immigration lawyer are things like H1B attorney fees and lawyer fees for citizen applications.
These things help cover unique situations that you may face when applying for a marriage visa or permanent residence.
People will definitely need the help of an experienced lawyer when they need to apply for less common visas like the H-1B visa, which lets foreign workers in specialised fields move to the United States temporarily and work there.
Overall, a lot of people think it is worth it to hire an immigration lawyer. They can help you avoid making important mistakes and get through more difficult immigration situations, like filling out applications when you have broken the law, been arrested, etc.
Violations Regarding Your Immigration Status
It can be challenging to immigrate to a new nation since there are so many laws, rules, and regulations to comprehend and follow.
You might run across problems, and you’ll probably need the assistance of a qualified expert to solve them. What occurs, for instance, if you:
- 😃 a visa overstay?
- 😃 scam with a marriage visa?
- 😃 Have issues with a marriage for a green card?
- 😃 Enter without being checked out?
- 😃 Forget to submit critical documentation on time?
An immigration or marriage visa attorney may analyse the specifics of your position in cases like this and present your best course of action.
A criminal offence or involvement in a criminal incident is likely to have an impact on your status or lead to deportation if you are not a citizen of the United States or are in the country on a visa.
You’ll have a better chance of avoiding prosecution if you hire a lawyer who is familiar with both immigration law and criminal law.
Criminal offences that may have an impact on your immigration status include:
- 😃 drug distribution
- 😃 Prostitution
- 😃 Domestic abuse
- 😃 Using a firearm without a licence is against the law.
- 😃 Moral turpitude crimes
In terms of the law and prosecution, every state is unique. Yet generally speaking, this is how the law sees these offences.
| Crime | What it involves | Grounds for | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug trafficking | Having been or is related to someone (e.g., spouse or child) involved in drug trafficking within the past five years | Inadmissibility | None |
| Prostitution | Coming to the U.S. to engage in prostitution, has done so in the past 10 years, or has trafficked persons with the purpose of prostitution | Inadmissibility | None |
| Domestic violence | Crimes involving spousal abuse, child abuse/neglect/abandonment, or stalking | Deportability | None |
| Carrying a firearm without the proper license | Unlawfully possessing, selling, buying, or offering a firearm without license | Deportability | None |
| Crimes of moral turpitude | Crimes such as manslaughter, terrorism, forgery, robbery, etc. committed within the past 5 to 10 years | Deportability | If the person in question was granted a pardon following conviction |
Choosing the Right Immigration Lawyer
Choosing the right immigration lawyer is a big choice that can have a big effect on how your case turns out.
It can be hard to know where to start when there are so many lawyers to choose from. We’ll talk about some things to think about when picking an immigration lawyer.
Specialization
Immigration law is a complicated field that is always changing. It’s important to find a lawyer who focuses on immigration law and has dealt with cases like yours before.
A lawyer who focuses on immigration law will know the latest rules and laws and will have dealt with many immigration cases before.
Reputation
The lawyer’s reputation is another important thing to think about. Look for reviews and recommendations from the lawyer’s past clients to get an idea of how well he or she has done.
You can also ask the state bar association if the lawyer has ever been in trouble with the law.
Communication
Choose an attorney who talks to you clearly and often. Immigration cases can take a long time, so you need a lawyer who keeps you up to date on how things are going.
A good lawyer should be easy to reach and answer your questions and concerns quickly.
Fees
There are a lot of different prices for hiring an immigration lawyer. It’s important to know how the lawyer charges for their services, whether it’s an hourly rate or a flat fee.
When figuring out how much a lawyer costs, it’s also important to think about their experience and reputation.
Comfort Level
Last but not least, it’s important to choose a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable.
Immigration cases can be stressful and emotional, so it’s important to have a lawyer who is helpful and understands what you’re going through. Choose a lawyer who listens to your worries and gives your case the attention it deserves.
Factors Affecting the Average Immigration Lawyer Fees
We’ll talk about the things that affect how much an immigration lawyer costs so you can make a better decision about whether or not to hire one.
Hourly Rate
An hourly rate is one of the most common ways that immigration lawyers charge for their services. Depending on the lawyer’s experience, reputation, and the difficulty of the case, the hourly rate can be anywhere from $150 to $500.
It’s important to know that some lawyers may have a minimum number of billable hours. This means that even if your case only takes a short amount of time, you may still be charged for the full minimum amount.
Flat Fee
A flat fee is another way that immigration lawyers may charge for their work. Flat fees may be a better deal for clients whose cases are simple.
But the flat fee can be very different depending on how hard the case is. Flat fees can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 or more.
Complexity of the Case
The cost of an immigration lawyer can also be affected by how hard the case is. Cases that take more time and need more knowledge may cost more.
For example, cases involving criminal convictions or multiple immigration violations may be more complicated and need more time and resources.
Geographic Location
The location of the lawyer can also affect how much it costs to hire an immigration lawyer. Lawyers in big cities or places where immigration services are in high demand may charge more than lawyers in small towns or rural areas.
Experience and Reputation of the Lawyer
The cost of an immigration lawyer can also depend on the lawyer’s experience and reputation. Lawyers may charge more if they have more experience or a better reputation.
But it’s important to remember that a high price does not always mean that the representation is the best. Before you hire a lawyer, you should do some research and read reviews.
Lawyer Fees for Citizenship Application
Usually, it costs between $500 and $2,500 to pay a lawyer to help you become a citizen or to file your N-400 (Application for Naturalization).
FAQs About Immigration Lawyer Cost
How much does it cost to get immigration lawyer in USA?
The total cost of your immigration lawyer will depend on the type of case you have, how long the process takes, and how much your lawyer charges per hour.
Rates per hour usually range from $150 to $300. On average, help filling out forms costs between $250 and $800.
How much does it cost to start immigration process?
To get a green card based on family, you have to pay the government $1760 if you live in the United States or $1200 if you live outside the United States.
This doesn’t include the average cost of the required medical exam, which can vary from provider to provider.
Are immigration lawyers worth the money?
Hiring an immigration lawyer will cost you more in legal fees, but it often has a lot of benefits. Hiring an immigration lawyer can save you time and stress and improve your chances of success.
Can immigration lawyer speed up process USA?
There are a few ways in which an immigration lawyer can help speed up your case. Most obviously, they can use their knowledge and experience to make the process easier and smoother.
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