How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Clear, flat-fee pricing for most immigration cases. No hidden retainers, no surprise bills. Here's exactly what our clients pay.
Typical Immigration Attorney Fees
Immigration legal fees vary widely based on case type, complexity, and the lawyer's experience. Most reputable immigration attorneys charge flat fees for common filings rather than hourly rates, so you know the full cost upfront. Below are the ranges you should expect to see across the industry. Our firm generally falls at or below the national average for comparable work.
Simple Applications
$1,500 – $3,000
Form I-130 petitions, naturalization (N-400), green card renewals (I-90), employment authorization (I-765), work permit renewals.
Family-Based Green Cards
$3,500 – $7,500
Adjustment of status (I-485), consular processing, K-1 fiancé visas, marriage-based green cards including the required interview prep.
Complex Cases
$5,000 – $15,000+
Asylum applications, removal defense, immigration court hearings, bond hearings, waivers, VAWA petitions, and appeals.
Work & Business Visas
$4,000 – $12,000
H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2 investor visas, EB-1 and EB-2 NIW petitions, PERM labor certifications.
Prices above exclude USCIS filing fees, which are paid directly to the government. Filing fees range from $0 to several thousand dollars depending on the form.
Why We Use Flat Fees Instead of Hourly Billing
Most immigration attorneys at quality firms now charge flat fees because it protects clients from surprise bills. When you're already stressed about your status, the last thing you need is a meter running every time you email your lawyer. With a flat fee you know the total cost on day one and can budget accordingly. Hourly billing still appears in some firms — usually $200 to $550 per hour — but it's mostly reserved for highly unusual cases, federal court litigation, and strategic consulting that can't be estimated up front.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Lawyer Fees
Do you offer free screenings?
Yes. Modern Law Group offers free screenings for our services. We'll review your situation, flag the case types we can help with, and explain next steps. Full strategy consultations with an attorney are scheduled separately if your case requires one.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. We offer interest-free payment plans on most cases. Typical structures are 30 percent down with the balance spread across 3 to 12 months depending on the case type and timeline. We'll work with your budget.
What's included in the flat fee?
Our flat fees cover everything you need to complete the case from start to finish: preparing and reviewing all forms, drafting supporting statements, compiling the evidence packet, submitting the filing, responding to routine requests for evidence (RFEs), and preparing you for any required interview. Unusual RFEs, changes in scope, or a switch to a different case type may require a separate engagement, but that would be quoted in writing before any additional work begins.
What about USCIS filing fees?
Government filing fees are separate from attorney fees and are paid directly to USCIS by check or credit card. These vary by form — for example, an I-130 family petition is about $675, an I-485 green card application is $1,440, and an N-400 naturalization is $760. We'll give you the exact total for your case during your consultation.
Can I file my immigration case myself to save money?
Technically yes. Realistically, most immigration forms have dozens of trap doors where a single wrong answer can trigger a denial, a Notice to Appear in immigration court, or a permanent bar. The math on DIY is simple: save $2,000 now, risk tens of thousands in fees later to fix a denied case, plus the time cost of re-filing. For straightforward low-risk filings, self-filing can work. For anything involving prior overstays, criminal history, prior denials, removal proceedings, asylum, or waivers, hire a lawyer.
Why do some lawyers charge so much more than others?
Price differences usually reflect experience, success rate, and service model. A $500 marriage-based green card package is almost always a form-filler that will leave you on your own at the interview. A $15,000 fee is typically a boutique firm with senior attorneys doing personalized strategy. Modern Law Group is priced in the middle of the market — real lawyers on every case, no outsourced paralegals signing filings, and a flat fee that includes interview prep.
Do you charge extra if the case takes longer than expected?
No. USCIS processing times are out of our control, so your flat fee covers the full life of the case regardless of how long the government takes. The only time additional fees apply is if your goals change mid-case — for example, if you decide to refile a new case type or add a major new step that wasn't part of the original scope.
What happens if my case is denied?
We'll give you an honest read on whether to appeal, refile, or pivot to a different strategy — often at no additional consultation fee. Appeals and refilings are quoted separately because they require fresh legal work, but our existing clients get priority and a discounted rate on follow-on matters.
Get a Written Quote Before You Commit
After your free screening and (if needed) attorney consultation, we send a written engagement letter with the exact flat fee, what's included, the payment schedule, and case timeline. No verbal promises, no hidden markups. You only pay once you sign.
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