how much does it cost for attorney to apply for green card

Green card lawyer fees generally average at the following: Marriage based green card – $800 to $4000 If you are a sibling of a U.S. citizen – $795

Full Answer

How much does an immigration lawyer cost for green card?

Oct 29, 2018 · Green Card Applications: Attorney Cost Nearly a third of readers paid their lawyers $2,000 or less. While the type of fee (flat versus hourly) was nearly uniform, our survey showed a wide range in the amount of flat fees that readers paid.

Do I need a lawyer to get a green card?

Mar 15, 2022 · EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Executives and Managers & L-1A Visa Holders: $2,500 – $5000: $700: $1225 Adjustment of Status fee Additional Adjustment of Status / I-485 fee of $1000 – $1225 might be applicable. EB-1 Green Card for Outstanding Researchers / Professors: $2,900 ($1,700 to prepare and file with USCIS, $1,200 due upon USCIS Approval)

How much will it cost to get a green card?

Mar 16, 2022 · Keep in mind these fees don’t include the adjustment of status application, which follows afterward. Cost for Green Cards. Green card lawyer fees generally average at the following: Marriage based green card – $800 to $4000; If you are a sibling of a U.S. citizen – $795; If you are a parent of a U.S. citizen – $795

How much does it cost to replace a green card?

Expect to pay the attorney somewhere between $3,000 and $7,000 in total—in addition to the application fees described above. Most attorneys will quote you a flat fee in advance, and ask you to pay part of it at the beginning and the rest at the end. Exactly where it falls on this range depends on factors like:

How much does a US immigration lawyer cost?

This can be anywhere from $150 to $500+ per hour. However, some immigration lawyers charge a set fee for a specific service. For example, for filing a specific immigration form, an immigration lawyer may charge a flat rate between $350 to $1,500.Mar 4, 2021

How much does a green card cost 2020?

How much does it cost to apply for a green card? The government filing fees for getting a family-based green card is $1,760 for an applicant living in the United States or $1,200 for an applicant living outside the United States.

Do you pay for green card application?

Entering the Green card lottery is free. If you win and are permitted to apply, you will have to pay a fee, but that will be in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate.Feb 10, 2022

How long does green card last?

10 yearsA Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551) Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

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:

What is an EB-1 green card?

An EB-1 green card is an employment-based petition for permanent residency in the U.S. The EB-1C was specifically designed for the most skilled and proficient business managers and executives. EB-1 green cards do not require PERM labor certification

How to get a Perm certification?

In order to obtain a PERM Labour Certification, your employer will have to prove that they were not able to find a suitably qualified U.S employee for the position. You will also need to be employed on a full-time, permanent basis.

What is a non-immigrant visa?

Non-immigrant work visas are visas that are obtained for the purpose to work, invest, trade and do business in the U.S. Non-immigrant visas only apply for a limited time period and do not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.

How long do you have to work for a L-1 visa?

To be eligible, you must have worked at the foreign office of the company for one year in the three years prior to your application .

What is an E visa?

E-visas are visas that are obtained under a treaty which the U.S signed with another country in order to promote investment, trade, and commerce. These visas are focussed on trade and investment. The E-2 visa specifically applies to investors from the listed E-2 countries.

Can a US citizen petition for a foreign citizen to live in the US?

U.S Citizens and legal permanent residents are allowed to petition for foreign relatives to come live in the U.S legally. There are two categories, namely Immediate Relative Petitions and Family Preference Petitions. The category of family members that are allowed to come to live in the U.S differs if you are a U.S citizen versus only being a green card holder.

How long does a N-400 card last?

The N-400 application can be used by lawful permanent residents in the U.S, that is older than 18, to apply for U.S citizenship. Your green card must have been valid for at least 5 years prior to your application to be eligible. If your green card is based on marriage, it only has to be valid for three years.

What is an Immigration Lawyer?

Immigration cases are complex. There are layers of complicated rules, laws, and regulations you need to navigate to get a successful outcome. Some cases are simple and don’t need special assistance.

Who Needs an Immigration Lawyer?

There are a lot of resources and information on immigration available online. So, it might seem unnecessary to pay a high price for an immigration lawyer when all these resources are free. The reality is, however, the immigration process is complex, and there is usually a lot at stake.

What Are the Different Cost Factors for an Immigration Lawyer?

There is a whole host of factors that will influence the cost of an immigration lawyer. Generally, however, the following factors will affect the price you are charged:

What Are the Average Costs for an Immigration Lawyer?

As we’ve explained above, there is a whole range of factors that will influence the actual cost of an immigration lawyer. What we can do, however, is look at what the average costs are for different types of visas.

Conclusion

Now you no longer have to wonder how much does an immigration lawyer cost. These legal fees can seem very expensive. But it may save you time and money in the long run. It could also be the difference between a successful application and a possible denial (or worse – deportation!).

Application fees, attorney fees, and more of the things that cost money when applying for a green card in the United States

Application fees, attorney fees, and more of the things that cost money when applying for a green card in the United States.

Government Application Fees for Adjustment of Status

The immigrant is not usually the one to pay the first government fee. Before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will let someone apply for a green card, a sponsor, most likely a close U.S.

Attorney's Fees to Assist With Adjustment of Status Application

It's a good idea to hire an attorney to help with the analysis of your green card eligibility as well as the paperwork. If your case presents any complications, you would also be wise to hire the attorney to accompany you to the interview at USCIS.

Adjustment of Status Medical Exam Fee

You'll need to get a medical exam done, to show that no health-based grounds of inadmissibility will block you from green-card approval. The fee for the medical exam report varies by doctor, but you'll have only a limited number of approved physicians to choose from.

Postage to Mail Adjustment of Status Application to USCIS

By the time you're done collecting all the forms and supporting documents for adjustment of status, you'll have a thick stack of paper. What's more, your safest bet is to send it by certified mail or a courier service, to avoid loss (or to prove to USCIS that it really got there). You'll likely pay at least $10 for mailing.

Immigration Photos

The immigrant, and in some cases the U.S. petitioner, will need to submit photos with one or more of the applications—as many as five or six photos in total. These will cost around $15 per set.

Costs of Travel and Parking Near USCIS Offices

You will need to attend both a biometrics appointment and an interview at a USCIS office. The transportation and parking costs will depend on how far away you live and whether you might need to spend the night.

What is a green card?

A green card offers immigrants the opportunity to eventually apply for citizenship. It is also known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, and is a document issued to immigrants under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently in the United States.

How often do you have to renew your green card?

While a green card is close to citizenship, those that hold one cannot vote. They must also renew it every 10 years.

Can I apply for a green card on my own?

Attorneys have an in-depth understanding of immigration law, will ensure that your application is error-free and that you follow all required steps in the process. Applying for a green card on your own can lead to costly mistakes that can cause a delay in processing your application or a denial.

Do I need a lawyer to get a green card?

You do not have to hire a lawyer, but it can be beneficial.

How long does it take to get a green card if you are a citizen?

The citizen and the foreign spouse must prove that the marriage is bona fide. If the citizen and foreign spouse have been married less than 2 years at the time the spouse becomes a permanent resident, a conditional 2-year green card will be issued.

What is the first step in the green card process?

The first step in a marriage-based green card process is for the petitioning spouse (citizen or permanent resident) to file an I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with the USCIS. After the I-130 approval, the next steps will depend on whether the beneficiary is staying in the U.S. or is living abroad.

How old do you have to be to get a green card?

However, you must be at least 18 years old and have a residence in the United States before you can sign the Affidavit of Support Form. The affidavit form is one of the mandatory items for a marriage-based green card application, so the minimum age is effectively 18.

What do I need to file an I-485?

After the approval of the I-130, the beneficiary will need to file an I-485, Petition to Adjust Status with the USCIS. The I-485 must be submitted with supporting evidence, which includes a birth certificate, proof of nationality, and proof of lawful entry to the U.S. (I-94 travel record).

Does USCIS have backlogs?

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available visa numbers, then a backlog will build. Unfortunately, there is usually a backlog for each marriage-based green card category.

How much does it cost to apply for a Green Card?

Throughout the process of applying for your Green Card there will be several different fees to pay, which can vary depending on the eligibility category you’re applying under, and whether or not you’re already in the US.

What are the payment options for the Green Card fee?

Different fees will usually be due at different stages of the Green Card application process. You’ll be guided through the steps — and get detailed instructions about how to pay — as you go.

Filing a fee waiver for the Green Card application

You can apply for a fee waiver if you fall into an eligible category, by completing and mailing in Form I-192 along with your other application documents.

Possible additional costs for your Permanent Residency in the US

As you’ve seen, there are a broad range of fees that will crop up at different times as you complete the application process for your US Green Card. When you’re planning your finances, it’s important to consider all the applicable costs — including those that are not directly linked to your application.

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Nonimmigrant Work Visas

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...

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Permanent Residence / Green Card – Self Sponsored

Other Visas/Green Card

Addressing Potential Issues

Immigration Consultations