Legal Cost Guide
Immigration Lawyer Fees Explained
Most U.S. immigration lawyers charge flat fees by case type — typically $1,500–$8,000 — plus separate USCIS government filing fees.
Immigration cases are repeatable enough that nearly every attorney quotes flat fees. The variation is by case type, complexity, and whether removal proceedings are involved.
Family-based green card cases generally run $2,000–$5,000 in legal fees, on top of USCIS filing fees that themselves can exceed $3,000 per applicant. Employment-based green cards (EB-2, EB-3) typically cost $4,000–$8,000 in legal fees, with the employer usually paying the labor certification and I-140 costs. Naturalization (N-400) is one of the simpler filings, often $1,000–$2,000 in legal fees.
Non-immigrant work visas vary widely. H-1B petitions usually run $2,000–$4,000 in legal fees plus $2,000–$5,000+ in USCIS fees. L-1, O-1, and E-2 visas typically cost $4,000–$8,000 in legal fees because of the heavier evidentiary burden. Investor visa work (EB-5) starts around $15,000 and climbs from there.
Removal defense and asylum cases are the most expensive, both because they are adversarial and because they often span years. Asylum cases typically run $4,000–$10,000; full deportation defense through trial can exceed $15,000–$20,000. Hourly billing ($200–$450/hour) is more common in litigation-style immigration matters than in straightforward petition work.
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Immigration Law
Visas, green cards, citizenship, deportation defense.
Green Card Law
Family-based, employment-based, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, adjustment of status.
Citizenship & Naturalization
Naturalization, N-400, citizenship exams, dual citizenship, derivative citizenship.
Visa Law
H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, TN, student visas, work visas, investor visas.
Asylum Law
Affirmative asylum, defensive asylum, withholding of removal, CAT protection.
Deportation Defense
Removal defense, cancellation of removal, bonds, appeals, ICE detention.
Personal Injury
Car accidents, slip and fall, medical malpractice, wrongful death.
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Divorce, custody, support, adoption, mediation.
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Contested divorce, uncontested divorce, property division, mediation, collaborative divorce.
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Family Law
Divorce, custody, support, adoption, prenups, mediation, restraining orders.
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Alimony, temporary support, permanent support, modifications, enforcement.
Adoption Law
Private adoption, stepparent adoption, agency adoption, ICPC, consent, termination of parental rights.
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DUI, felony, misdemeanor, federal defense, expungement.
DUI Defense
DUI, DWI, OWI, license suspension, ignition interlock, field sobriety challenges.
Drug Crime Defense
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Federal Criminal Defense
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White Collar Defense
Fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, money laundering, bribery, compliance.
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Contract Law
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LLC Law
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Copyright Law
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Real Estate Law
Closings, title, zoning, landlord-tenant, commercial leases.
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, probate, elder law, tax planning.
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, probate, elder law, tax planning.
Probate Law
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Trust Law
Revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, trust administration.
Elder Law
Medicaid planning, long-term care, guardianship, elder abuse, age discrimination, estate planning.
Living Trusts
Revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, trust funding, probate avoidance, incapacity planning.
Bankruptcy Law
Chapter 7, 13, 11 reorganization, debt negotiation.
Employment Law
Discrimination, harassment, wage claims, severance, non-competes.
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Patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing.
Tax Law
IRS disputes, audits, planning, international, estate tax.
Civil Litigation
Contract disputes, class actions, appeals, commercial litigation.
Civil Rights
Police misconduct, discrimination, free speech, voting rights.
Car Accident
Auto collisions, insurance claims, hit-and-run, uninsured motorist.
Truck Accident
Commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, FMCSA violations, multi-defendant claims.
Motorcycle Accident
Bike crashes, rider injury claims, helmet defense, lane-splitting disputes.
Slip and Fall
Premises liability, store injuries, ice and snow, dangerous conditions.
Wrongful Death
Fatal accidents, medical negligence, survival actions, family recovery.
Medical Malpractice
Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, hospital negligence.
Frequently Asked
What Clients Ask
How much does an immigration lawyer cost?
Most immigration attorneys charge flat fees by case type. Green cards run $2,000–$8,000 in legal fees, naturalization $1,000–$2,000, and asylum or removal defense $4,000–$20,000.
Are USCIS filing fees included?
Almost never. Government filing fees are separate and paid directly to USCIS. Always confirm in the engagement letter what is and isn't included.
Do immigration lawyers offer payment plans?
Many do, particularly for asylum and removal cases. Plans are typically tied to case milestones — filing, biometrics, interview, hearing.
Can I file my own immigration case without a lawyer?
Legally, yes. Practically, errors in immigration filings have severe consequences. Even simple cases benefit from an attorney; complex or contested ones almost always require one.