Immigration Lawyer Cost: Fees, Pricing & What to Expect

Immigration lawyer cost varies widely across U.S. immigration matters. Two people may pursue the same visa application and receive very different quotes, even from reputable firms. That difference usually comes down to the type of case, the risk involved, and how much attorney time the application process requires.

Some immigration cases follow a predictable path with standardized forms, fixed USCIS filing fees, and limited discretion. Others involve complex eligibility analysis, extensive documentation, immigration court appearances, or fast-moving deadlines tied to removal proceedings. Pricing reflects that difference.

This guide explains how immigration lawyer fees work, what pricing models attorneys use, and how costs change across common case types such as green card applications, family-based immigration, deportation defense, and employment-based visas. You will also learn how to evaluate legal fees, when legal representation adds value, and when a DIY approach may make sense.

Common case types and fee ranges

The type of case you're pursuing has the single biggest impact on immigration lawyer cost. Different visa categories and immigration processes require varying levels of attorney time, documentation, and expertise.

Employment-based green cards

Employment-based green card applications typically cost between $5,000 and $10,000 in attorney fees. This range covers EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories. The variation depends on whether your case requires extensive evidence compilation (such as for extraordinary ability claims) or is relatively straightforward (such as a standard professional worker petition).

If your employer needs to complete PERM labor certification, expect an additional $3,000 to $8,000 in legal fees. PERM involves recruitment, documentation, and compliance work that takes significant attorney time. This process happens before the green card petition itself, so you'll pay for both stages separately.

Adjustment of status (Form I-485) typically costs $2,500 to $7,500 in attorney fees. This is the final stage where you apply to become a permanent resident while in the United States. The cost varies based on whether your case has complications like previous visa overstays, gaps in status, or criminal history that require waivers or additional legal arguments.

Complexity factors that push costs higher include prior visa denials, employment gaps, complicated immigration history, extraordinary ability or national interest waiver claims requiring extensive documentation, and cases involving multiple family members with different immigration statuses.

Family-based immigration

For those pursuing immigration through family relationships, costs depend on whether you're starting the process abroad or adjusting status within the United States.

A K-1 fiancé visa typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 in attorney fees. This includes preparing the I-129F petition, supporting documentation, and guidance through consular processing. The relatively lower cost reflects a more straightforward application process compared to other visa categories.

CR-1 or IR-1 spouse visas (immigrant visas for spouses processed through consular processing) cost $3,000 to $6,000 in legal fees. These cases involve more documentation than fiancé visas and require coordination with the National Visa Center and U.S. consulates abroad.

If you're already in the United States and filing adjustment of status for a spouse, expect attorney fees of $2,500 to $5,000. This process involves Form I-485, supporting affidavits, financial documentation, and coordination with USCIS field offices.

Removal of conditions on a two-year conditional green card (Form I-751) typically costs $1,500 to $3,500. This is required for marriage-based green cards issued within two years of marriage. The cost is lower because it's primarily a documentation exercise, though cases involving divorce or abuse (VAWA petitions) cost more due to additional legal complexity.

Employment visas

For temporary work visas, attorney fees vary based on documentation requirements and petition complexity.

H-1B visa petitions typically cost $2,500 to $6,000. This includes Labor Condition Application preparation, Form I-129 filing, supporting documentation, and coordination with your employer. The cost may be higher if your case involves an RFE or if you're in cap-subject status requiring lottery registration.

L-1 visa petitions for intracompany transferees cost $3,000 to $7,000. L-1 cases require demonstrating the qualifying relationship between foreign and U.S. entities, documenting your managerial or specialized knowledge role, and compiling evidence of the business operations in both countries.

O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability cost $5,000 to $12,000 due to the extensive evidence compilation required. O-1 cases need detailed documentation of achievements, expert letters, media coverage, and evidence of recognition in your field. The higher cost reflects the substantial attorney time spent building a compelling case.

Extensions and amendments for existing work visas typically cost $1,500 to $3,500. These are generally simpler than initial petitions but still require legal review, updated documentation, and proper filing with USCIS.

Naturalization and citizenship

Naturalization applications (Form N-400) typically cost $1,500 to $3,500 in attorney fees. The relatively lower cost reflects a more straightforward process for applicants with clean immigration histories. Cases involving criminal issues, extended absences from the United States, or previous immigration violations cost more due to additional legal analysis required.

Other visa categories

TN visa applications for Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA typically cost $1,500 to $3,000. E-2 treaty investor visas range from $5,000 to $12,000 due to business plan requirements and investment documentation. Asylum applications cost $3,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the complexity of the claim and whether you're in removal proceedings.

What affects immigration lawyer costs?

Beyond the type of case, several factors influence how much you'll pay for legal representation.

• Case complexity and documentation requirements are the primary cost drivers. Cases requiring extensive evidence compilation, legal arguments, or multiple supporting documents take more attorney time. An O-1 visa requiring 20 expert letters and media documentation costs more than a straightforward H-1B transfer.
• Geographic location significantly impacts pricing. Immigration lawyer costs in Texas may differ from fees in New York City or San Francisco due to differences in cost of living, market rates, and local competition. Large metropolitan areas with high concentrations of immigration law firms typically have higher rates.
• Attorney experience and specialization affect fees. Lawyers with decades of experience or nationally recognized expertise charge premium rates. Attorneys who specialize in specific visa categories (such as EB-1 or deportation defense) may charge more than general practitioners but often deliver better results due to their focused expertise.
• Firm size and overhead influence pricing structures. Large law firms with extensive support staff, technology platforms, and multiple offices have higher overhead costs that translate to higher fees. Solo practitioners and small firms often charge less but may have limited capacity for complex cases.
• Language services and translation needs add costs when documents need professional translation or when your case requires interpretation services. While not always included in attorney fees, these services are necessary expenses that affect your total cost.
• Premium processing or expedited timelines may increase attorney fees if you need urgent handling. Rush cases require attorneys to prioritize your matter over other work, justifying higher fees. Some attorneys charge flat premium processing fees while others bill additional hourly time.
• Complications in your case drive costs higher. RFEs from USCIS, prior visa denials, criminal history requiring inadmissibility waivers, gaps in immigration status, and previous immigration violations all require additional legal work and increase attorney fees.

Is it worth using an immigration lawyer?

Legal representation adds significant value in immigration cases, though not every situation requires it. The decision comes down to balancing upfront attorney costs against the risk of denial, delays, or permanent immigration consequences. When hiring an immigration lawyer is worth the cost:

• High-stakes cases with serious consequences. Deportation defense and removal proceedings can result in forced departure from the United States. Employment-based green card petitions affect your ability to live and work permanently. Cases involving inadmissibility, prior violations, or criminal history carry risks of long-term bars from U.S. immigration benefits. Errors in these cases aren't just inconvenient—they can be life-altering.
• Business immigration and employer compliance. Compliance failures in employment-based cases can affect both the employer and the foreign national employee. Employers face audits, fines, and potential debarment from future sponsorship. Evidence-heavy filings such as O-1 or EB-1 petitions require strategic presentation of achievements, expert letters, and supporting documentation that attorneys know how to structure effectively.
• Complex documentation or legal arguments. Cases requiring waivers, overcoming prior denials, or navigating discretionary decisions benefit from legal expertise. Attorneys understand what evidence USCIS expects, how to frame arguments, and how to anticipate and address potential issues before they become denials.

When you might consider filing without an attorney:

• Straightforward cases with no complications. Simple naturalization applications for applicants with clean immigration histories, basic visa renewals with no changes to your situation, and nonimmigrant visa extensions when you've maintained status and nothing has changed may not require legal representation.
• Prior immigration experience. If you've successfully completed similar applications before, understand USCIS procedures, and have time to carefully review all requirements, self-filing may be appropriate for routine matters.
• Very limited budgets with low-risk cases. When attorney fees genuinely aren't feasible and your case has minimal complexity, self-filing may be your only option. Just understand that mistakes can cost more than the attorney fees you're trying to save.

The cost-benefit analysis is straightforward: attorney fees often prevent far higher costs tied to refiling after denial, years of processing delays, or permanent loss of immigration eligibility.

Can I get an immigration lawyer for free?

Free legal representation is available for some immigration matters, though eligibility is limited, and these services focus primarily on humanitarian cases and removal defense.

• Pro bono services through nonprofit organizations serve low-income applicants, particularly in removal defense and humanitarian cases
• Law school immigration clinics provide supervised legal services at no cost
• Legal aid societies focus primarily on deportation defense and asylum cases
• DOJ's Legal Orientation Program serves individuals in immigration detention
• Free consultation offerings let you get preliminary legal advice before committing to representation

The American Immigration Lawyers Association maintains resources for finding attorneys, including those offering pro bono services.

Realistic expectation: Most employment-based and family preference cases don't qualify for free services. These programs typically prioritize humanitarian cases, detained individuals, and those facing removal.

Immigration lawyer cost vs. DIY filing

Filing without an attorney means paying only government filing fees. Current USCIS filing fees include $1,225 for Form I-485 (adjustment of status), $710 for Form N-400 (naturalization), and $460 base fee for H-1B petitions, plus additional employer fees.

When DIY may be appropriate: Simple renewals with no changes, straightforward citizenship applications with clean histories, and cases where you've successfully completed the process before may not require attorney assistance. If instructions are clear and your situation matches standard scenarios exactly, self-filing can save money.

When DIY is risky: Complex cases, cases involving discretionary decisions, situations with criminal history or immigration violations, and high-stakes applications where denial has severe consequences warrant professional representation. The cost of getting it wrong exceeds the cost of hiring competent counsel.

How to evaluate immigration lawyer fees

Choosing the right attorney requires more than comparing prices. Ask detailed questions during initial consultations to understand exactly what you're paying for and whether the attorney is a good fit for your case.

What to ask during consultations

• Is the pricing a flat fee or an hourly rate? Understand the billing structure upfront. If hourly, ask for an estimate of total hours expected and what drives variation in that estimate.
• What's included in the quoted fee? Clarify whether the fee covers only the initial petition or includes responses to RFEs, representation at interviews, and follow-up filings. Know what triggers additional charges.
• What are the anticipated additional costs? Beyond attorney fees, understand what you'll pay for government filing fees, translations, medical exams, biometrics, and other case-specific expenses.
• What's the payment schedule and refund policy? Some attorneys require full payment upfront, while others accept installment payment plans. Understand when payments are due and whether fees are refundable if your case concludes early or you decide not to proceed.
• What happens if the case requires more work than expected? For flat fee arrangements, clarify whether additional work (such as RFE responses or appeals) is included or billed separately. For hourly cases, understand how the attorney manages scope creep.

Red flags to watch for

Not all immigration lawyers operate with the same standards. Knowing what warning signs to watch for protects you from poor representation, wasted money, and potentially damaged immigration cases. Here are the red flags that should make you walk away:

• Guarantees of approval. No attorney can guarantee USCIS will approve your case. Immigration decisions involve discretionary review, changing policies, and factors outside any lawyer's control. Attorneys who promise specific outcomes are either dishonest or dangerously inexperienced.
• Unusually low fees compared to market rates. If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Below-market pricing often indicates inexperienced attorneys, corner-cutting on case preparation, or hidden fees that appear later. Quality immigration work requires time and expertise that have real costs.
• Pressure to pay the full amount upfront without clear documentation. Reputable attorneys provide written fee agreements detailing exactly what services are covered, what triggers additional charges, and what the payment schedule looks like. High-pressure tactics to pay immediately without review are warning signs.
• Unlicensed "immigration consultants" or notarios. Only licensed attorneys can provide legal advice on U.S. immigration matters, represent you before USCIS, or appear in immigration court. Immigration consultants, notarios, and document preparers cannot give legal guidance and create serious risks. Verify that anyone you hire is a licensed attorney in good standing with their state bar.

Choosing the right support partner

U.S. immigration cases involve coordination across multiple government agencies, including USCIS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of State. Each step requires precise documentation, strict compliance with eligibility rules, and careful timing to avoid delays, denials, or legal exposure. Costs and complexity increase quickly when dependents, prior immigration history, or expedited timelines are involved.

Lighthouse helps you navigate this complexity with structured eligibility diagnostics, clear guidance on documentation and compliance, and attorney-led legal review at every stage. Our technology-driven case management keeps filings, deadlines, and dependent cases organized while licensed immigration attorneys oversee preparation and accuracy from start to finish. Start your immigration case evaluation today.

Frequently asked questions

Is $10,000 a lot for a lawyer?

It depends on the type of case. A $10,000 fee may be reasonable for a complex employment-based green card with PERM and adjustment of status. The same amount would be high for a simple renewal or naturalization filing.

How much do immigration fees cost?

Government filing fees are separate from attorney fees. USCIS charges vary by form, such as $1,225 for adjustment of status and $710 for naturalization. Medical exams and biometrics add additional costs.

Is it better to have a lawyer for immigration?

Many cases benefit from legal representation, especially those involving risk, discretion, or prior issues. Simple filings may not require counsel, though errors still carry consequences.

Do immigration lawyers offer payment plans?

Many law firms offer payment plans, particularly for family-based and deportation defense cases. Terms vary by firm and case type.

What is the difference between a lawyer and an immigration consultant?

Only licensed attorneys can provide legal advice, represent clients in immigration court, and file appeals. Consultants lack authority and create legal risk.

Can I switch lawyers mid-case?

Yes. You may change legal representation by filing a new Form G-28 with USCIS or the immigration court. Timing and document transfer matter during transitions.