how much does it cost for an attorney to file i-130

by Prof. Candace Bernier 8 min read

Immigration attorney fees differ depending on the Immigration Principle and the case that you would apply for. If you are applying for an I-130 or the Petition for Alien Relatives, an initial attorney fee will cost $800 with a filing fee of $535. The Total Attorney’s Fees, Filing, and Other Fees would cost you $1220 in total.

Full Answer

What is the fee to submit the i130 form?

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.)

What is the average time to process an I-130?

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. You must submit all fees in the exact amounts. USCIS accepts money orders, cashier’s checks and personal checks payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

What should be filed with I-130?

Oct 19, 2010 · I charge $600 for this service in my office. Feel free to contact me to discuss further. Report Abuse SB Svetlana Boukhny (Unclaimed Profile) Update Your Profile Answered on Oct 19th, 2010 at 7:43 AM

How to pay I 130 fee?

Apr 30, 2013 · Make sure that you are working with either an attorney or Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Accredited Representative working with an accredited agency.

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.

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 USCIS charge for I-485?

You can have additional expenses, such as: attorney fees, translation fees, postage, copying, etc. *While filing the Form I-485, Adjustment of Status, the USCIS doesn’t charge the same filing fee for immediate relatives of all age groups.

Is the filing fee for a USCIS petition refundable?

NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition. You must submit all fees in the exact amounts. USCIS accepts money orders, cashier’s checks and personal checks payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”.

Nonimmigrant Work Visas

Attorney Fee: $2400 (does not include RFE responses, if applicable). Please note that the legal fee may be higher in certain complex cases. In any event, you’ll be provided a written quote before retaining our firm.

Addressing Potential Issues

In every possible instance, we do our best to anticipate any potential issues and address them in advance. For that reason, it’s imperative that you be completely honest and transparent regarding the details of your case during the initial consultation.

Immigration Consultations

SGM Law Group only offers free general consultations to certain individuals/businesses who are looking to retain a law firm for the following cases:

Elisheva G Mosko

Attorney fees are not fixed by law. They vary and fluctuate from lawyer to lawyer, depending on the complexity of each situation and amount of time needed.

Giacomo Jacques Behar

Unfortunately, we are not able to answer questions about attorney fees on this forum. You should contact immigration attorneys in your area to figure out what they charge

Douglas Aaron Cowgill

Attorney fees vary from attorney to attorney and based on the complexity of the case.

Who can file an I-130?

You can always ask for the professional help from an immigration attorney who can help guide you towards your best options. The parent or spouse who is a U.S. citizen or LPR files an I-130 on behalf of the family member who wants to come to live with them here in America. U.S. citizens may file on behalf of their spouse, ...

What is an I-130?

What is I-130? Form I-130 is called a Petition for Alien Relative. Someone who has U.S. citizenship or is at least a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) may petition on behalf of their family members for a Green Card. Filing the Form I-130 is the first step in the process of applying for a Green Card.

What documents are needed for I-130?

Required Documents for I-130 1 Proof of the sponsor’s citizenship or Permanent Resident status 2 Proof of the bona fide relationship between the sponsor and beneficiary 3 Proof that the relationship is not fraudulent 4 Proof of name changes for either the sponsor or beneficiary (if applicable) 5 Proof of the beneficiary’s nationality

How long does it take to get an I-130?

The typical I-130 petition takes 7 to 15 months from the date of the petition to the approval of the request. That does not include any extra time due to an RFE (Request for Evidence) or lost time due to errors in the supplied information.

What is the proof of a sponsor's citizenship?

Proof of the sponsor’s citizenship or Permanent Resident status. Proof of the bona fide relationship between the sponsor and beneficiary. Proof that the relationship is not fraudul ent. Proof of name changes for either the sponsor or beneficiary (if applicable) Proof of the beneficiary’s nationality.

Is an I-130 a visa?

Please note, an approved I-130 is not a visa and it does not grant someone the privilege to stay here in the U.S. It simply proves the relationship between a sponsor (or also called the petitioner) and the beneficiary.

How to pay for USCIS lockbox?

When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Where can I apply for a green card if my relative lives outside the US?

If your relative is ineligible to get their Green Card in the United States by filing Form I-485, or if your relative lives outside the United States, they may apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country.

What is a copy of a USCIS passport?

A copy of your naturalization or citizenship certificate issued by USCIS or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate; A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport;

What form do I need to submit for my spouse?

If you submit a petition for your spouse, you must also submit Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary. To receive an email or text message when we accept your form, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the front of the petition.

Can I get a green card if my relative is already in the US?

If your relative is already in the United States and a visa is available, they may be eligible to get their Green Card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Can I become an LPR if I am an I-130?

We will generally approve your Form I-130 if you can establish a relationship between you and your relative that qualifies them to immigrate to the United States. Generally, once we approved the petition, your relative may apply to become an LPR. This is the second step in the process.

Can I file an I-130 online?

You can file Form I-130 online even if your relative is in the United States and will file Form I-485 by mail. Once you submit your Form I-130 online, we will send a receipt notice to your USCIS online account. Provide a copy of the receipt notice to your relative to include in their Form I-485 packet.

Nonimmigrant Work Visas

  • H-1B Visa Attorney Fee: $2400 (does not include RFE responses, if applicable). Please note that the legal fee may be higher in certain complex cases. In any event, you’ll be provided a written quote before retaining VisaNation Law Group. USCIS Fee: $460 to $2460. Premium Processing fee: $1440 (as of December 2, 2019) H-4 Visa Attorney Fee: $500 USC...
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Permanent Residence / Green Card – Employer Sponsored

  • Green Card by Employer-Sponsored Labor Certification with PERM Attorney Fee: $3350 (for PERM process), $2200 for I-140, $1500 for I-485/AP/EAD (*PERM Audit response fee = $1000, if applicable) USCIS Fee: $700. Premium Processing fee: $2500 (optional). EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Executives and Managers & L-1A Visa Holders Attorney Fee: $5000 (*does notincl…
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Permanent Residence / Green Card – Self Sponsored

  • Green Card by National Interest Waiver Attorney Fee: $5200 (Does not include RFE response or Adjustment of Status filing) USCIS Fee: $700 + $1225 Adjustment of Status Green Card by Extraordinary Ability (EB-1) Attorney Fee: $5200 (Does not include RFE response or Adjustment of Status filing) USCIS Fee: $700 + $1225 Adjustment of Status
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Other Visas/Green Card

  • B-1 Business Visa Attorney Fee: $1000 USCIS Fee: n/a Department of State Fee: $160 B-1 / B-2 Visa – Renewal / Extension or Change of Status Attorney Fee: $750 USCIS Fee:$370 + $85 for Biometrics. Fiance Visa K-1 Visa Petition – For the Fiance of a US Citizen: Attorney Fee: $2600 (1/2 due in two stages) USCIS Fee: $535 Family-Based Petition filed by a U.S. Citizen Attorney Fe…
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Addressing Potential Issues

  • In every possible instance, VisaNation Law Group does its best to anticipate any potential issues and address them in advance. For that reason, it’s imperative that you be completely honest and transparent regarding the details of your case during the initial consultation. Be advised that withholding information may affect not only the cost for your case but also the approach they ta…
See more on immi-usa.com

Immigration Consultations

  • VisaNation Law Group only offers free general consultations to certain individuals/businesses who are looking to retain a law firm for the following cases: 1. H1B Visas 2. Marriage-Based Visas/Green Cards 3. Family-Based Green Cards During your free case evaluation, VisaNation Law Group will provide you with a general overview of your immigration options. However, the firm ca…
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