how much does an attorney charge to fill i 130

by Prof. Alvena Bayer 4 min read

Most attorneys will charge you a flat fee for preparing an I-130 petition. An average flat fee for the I-130 approval process is around $800; but realize that this is only step one in a lengthy process, and the total fee to see it through will likely be a few thousand dollars.

Immigration Attorney Fees
Most attorneys charge a flat fee for preparing an I-130 petition. An average flat fee for the I-130 approval process is around $800; but again, this is only step one in a lengthy process, and the total fee to see it through will likely be a few thousand dollars.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for I-130?

Most attorneys charge a flat fee for preparing an I-130 petition. An average flat fee for the I-130 approval process is around $800; but again, this is only step one in a lengthy process, and the total fee to see it through will likely be a few thousand dollars. (Also see this survey of what people paid lawyers for family-based green card help.)

How much does it cost to file an I-130 petition?

Apr 30, 2013 · J Charles Ferrari Eng & Nishimura 213.622.2255 The statement above is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice, as not all the facts are known. You should retain an attorney to review all the facts specific to your case in order to receive advise specific to your case. The statement above does not create an attorney/client ...

Why do I need an immigration lawyer to fill out I-130?

Jun 16, 2019 · A private attorney might charge $1,500 or more, if the I-130 requires analysis of foreign marriage and divorce law, or a clear and convincing standard of proof for marital bona fides. The form instructions at uscis.gov are a good place to start.

How much does it cost to sponsor a family member I-130?

The costs associated with filing an I-130 petition will vary depending on how many relatives you want to sponsor and their location (in the U.S. or abroad). Additional fees might apply if the foreign-born relative is already in the U.S. and eligible to apply for adjustment of status at the same time. The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535.

image

How much does a US immigration lawyer cost?

An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation fee of $75 to $150. Legal assistance when filing basic immigration forms costs $250 to $800, while green card assistance runs from $800 to $5,000, plus the USCIS fees of $460 to $700.

How much does it cost to file 1 130?

$535
The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535. The filing fee for this petition cannot be waived. NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition.

How long does it take for I-130 to be approved 2021?

5 to 12 months
File Early

After filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, the approval process can take anywhere from 5 to 12 months for immediate relatives and could take several years for family preference categories.

Can I file I-130 on my own?

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that petitioners can now complete and file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, online. Online filing allows aliens to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case, and receive notices from USCIS.Oct 30, 2019

How long does Form I-130 take to process?

between 5 and 37 months
Form I-130 Processing Times

For immediate relatives (spouse or unmarried child) of a U.S. green card holder (legal permanent resident), processing times for Form I-130 currently vary between 5 and 37 months (as of April. 13, 2022).

Can I get a fee waiver for I-130?

You may qualify for a fee waiver if your household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file.Feb 1, 2021

What's next after I-130 is approved?

Once USCIS approves your I-130 application, your application will be sent to the U.S. Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) for processing. If your family member's case is not subject to immediate processing, your I-130 application will remain with NVC until processing begins.

How can I get I-130 approved fast?

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.Mar 21, 2022

What documents do I need to send with I-130?

I-130 Checklist of Items to Submit with Spousal Petition
  • USCIS Filing Fee. ...
  • Cover letter (optional) ...
  • Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. ...
  • Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary. ...
  • Proof of status. ...
  • Marriage certificate. ...
  • Proof of previous marriages terminated. ...
  • Passport photos.
Dec 3, 2019

Can I stay in the US while waiting for I-130?

If your family member or employer has merely started the process off for you, by filing what's known as a petition (typically on USCIS Form I-130 or I-140), that's not enough. A pending or approved petition from a U.S. sponsor gives you no rights to come to or remain in the United States.

What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant 2021?

How to meet the U.S. government's financial sponsorship requirements. The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $22,887.Mar 1, 2022

Can I travel outside U.S. while I-130 is pending?

Visiting the United States while you have a pending I-130 petition involves walking a logical tightrope. Although you intend to live permanently in the United States once you receive your green card, right now you must convince the immigration officer or CBP agent that you will not be settling in the United States yet.

How to find the fee for I-130?

Always check the USCIS Web page for Form I-130 to confirm the fee before you file. You can also find out the current filing fee by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

What happens if you don't meet the minimum income requirements?

If you do not meet the minimum income requirements, other individuals will then need to become joint sponsors. Check out our Affidavit of Support Guide for this.

Is fee break out required by USCIS?

Note: The fee break-out and the different sections mentioned in the table above, are only the mandatory costs required by USCIS.

Do you have to submit all fees in the exact amount?

You must submit all fees in the exact amounts.

Do you have to have a financial sponsor to immigrate?

There is no waiting period for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Under the law, each person who immigrates based on a relative’s petition must have a financial sponsor. If you do not meet the minimum income requirements, other individuals will then need to become joint sponsors.

Does withholding information affect the cost of a case?

Be advised that withholding information may affect not only the cost for your case but also the approach we take. We understand that neglecting to mention some information (i.e., criminal, financial, etc.) may not be intentional and may later reveal itself during the filing proceedings. In these cases, if any additional work or fees are required, we will communicate them to you, the client.

Is immigration a serious matter?

Remember that your immigration status is a very serious matter which should be handled by only a qualified and experienced immigration attorney. Our immigration attorney fees are among the most competitive and our customer dedication is exceptional, bar none. Should you have any questions regarding the fees listed below, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with a senior paralegal or lawyer.

How much does an attorney consultation cost?

Attorney Consultations – $200 for up to 1 hour, $150 for up to 30 minutes (reschedule requires prepayment), or $150 and $100 if prepaid, with $50 of the cost non-refundable. $200 after hours/Saturday,

How much does a U visa cost for a dependent?

U-Visa Dependent — $275 for first dependent ($125 each additional dependent), $100 for EAD (if the candidate has work authorization already, then they may not want to apply for an EAD), $350 to add I-192

How much is the U visa for criminal victims?

U-Visa Criminal Victims — $3600 ($2400 if U-visa cert is already secured), an additional $350 due in cases where the beneficiary requires an I-192, $100 for EAD (if the candidate has work authorization already, then they may not want to apply for an EAD)

How much does a DOL labor certification audit cost?

DOL PERM Labor Certification Audits — $0 unless if it is a random audit, or $700 to $1150 if our firm did not start the casework initially.

How much does a family sponsorship cost?

Family (Spouse, Child, Parent or Sibling) Sponsorship I-130 Petition — $1600 spouse, $1250 all other ($900 for additional relatives from the same family)

How much does a B-2 visitor cost?

B-1/B-2 Visitors COS/EOS — $1000 or $600 if it is a bridge application, and $600 for 1st additional relative and $500 for all additional relatives (if multiple family members are applying concurrently).

How much does an immigration attorney charge?

In most cases, an immigration attorney will charge an hourly rate of $150 to $300 per hour, whereas others will charge a set fee for the entire process. For basic immigration form filing, you can expect to pay around $250 to $1,200 in fees. Immigration attorney fees significantly range, depending on the types of services ...

How much does an immigration lawyer cost?

An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation fee of $75 to $150. Legal assistance when filing basic immigration forms costs $250 to $800, while green card assistance runs from $800 to $5,000, plus the USCIS fees of $460 to $700.

How much does it cost to get a K-1 visa?

Attorney fees for filing a K-1 Visa Petition for the fiance of a U.S. Citizen is around $725 with the USCIS fees costing $535. Typical processing time is 7 to 10 months.

How much does a green card lawyer cost?

Green Card lawyer fees range from $795 to $2,900 depending on your situation. Green Card lawyer fees for a sibling or parent of a U.S. Citizen is around $795. An employee sponsored labor certification costs $2,000 in attorney fees, $700 in USCIS filing fees, and takes 2 to 3 years to process.

How much does it cost to become a US citizen?

US citizenship lawyer fees are $500 on average to fill out the application for naturalization and $725 for the USCIS fees. Processing time usually takes 6 to 9 months to complete this task.

What do immigration lawyers know?

Unlike the average citizen with no experience, an immigration lawyer will know exactly which forms to file and when. Also, the level of advice you'll receive is often invaluable, especially when you need to prepare for an interview or court date.

Is it hard to get legal immigration?

Obtaining your legal immigration status is complicated and often overwhelming, so when hiring legal assistance, here's what you need to know .

What part of the I-130 form do I need to fill out?

If you are using the services of a lawyer, a non-profit organization, or any other accredited person to complete the I-130 form, you must fill out Part 8 of the document and enter date and signature.

What is the section on the I-130?

At the beginning of Form I-130, the phrase “For USCIS Use Only” appears, which is for administrative use of USCIS. You must leave it blank. Then comes the section: “To be completed by an attorney or accredited representative”.

How many pages are in the I-130?

It is always convenient to have the advice of a good immigration lawyer to avoid errors while filling the form. The I-130 template consists of 12 pages that are divided into nine parts.

What is an I-130?

In migratory terms, it is a request made to obtain the permanent residence or residence card of a foreign relative. The petition of the foreign relative through Form I-130 must be submitted by a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States.

When to add 46.b to I-130?

Answer questions 46 through 49.b only if the petitioner has had more than one employer in the last five years. If there have been more than two, you may add that information at the end of the I-130 form.

Where is the I-130 sent?

After knowing how to fill out form I-130 and that it is approved by USCIS (as well as Form I-140), it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) of the State Department where it is pre-processed. This process can take a year, so the NVC begins what USCIS called “the pre-processing of the immigrant visa”, which includes:

Which question should residents jump to?

Those who answer that they are citizens must also answer questions from 37 to 39c. While residents should jump directly to question 40.

image