what is the attorney fees for filing a green card

AC-21 Portability for Pending I-485 Petitions

	Attorney Fee	USCIS Fee	Other Fees
Green Card by Employer-Sponsored Labor . ...	$2,000 – $6250 $900 – 3500 for PERM $600 ...	$700	Optional Premium Processing available at ...
EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Execu ...	$2,500 – $5000	$700	$1225 Adjustment of Status fee Additiona ...
EB-1 Green Card for Outstanding Research ...	$2,900 ($1,700 to prepare and file with ...	$700	Additional Adjustment of Status fee of $ ...
I-485 Adjustment of Status (I-140 Based)	$1250	$1,225

Feb 7 2022

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer to get a green card?

Oct 29, 2018 · Updated: Oct 29th, 2018. TYPICAL ATTORNEYS' FEES. $1,000 - $3,000. Nearly half of applicants for family-based adjustment of status paid their lawyers between $1,000 and $3,000. If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident trying to help a family member get a green card—or you’re the immigrant relative hoping to get legal permanent residence—you might be …

What is the average attorney fee?

6 rows · EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Executives and Managers & L-1A Visa Holders: $2,500 – $5000: ...

How much does a lawyer cost?

Jan 07, 2009 · Attorney Fee: $1,995. Permanent Residence / Green Card – Employer Sponsored: Green Card by Employer Sponsored Labor Certification with PERM PERM Attorney Fee: $4,995. I-140 Attorney’s Fee: $1,495 USCIS Fee: $700 Processing time: 1-2 years. Green Card for Multinational Executives and Managers & L-1A Visa Holders Attorney Fee: $4,995 USCIS Fee: …

What is the average cost of an immigration attorney?

Green Card Lawyer Fees. 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 an immigration attorney 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 a green card cost 2020?

The move brings the total cost of a green card to $2,750 – an increase of $990, or more than 56%. The cost of naturalization will similarly jump $445, or 61%, to become $1,170. Clearly, immigration fees have climbed at an eye-popping rate.Jan 19, 2020

How much does a green card cost 2021?

Green Card renewal fees The standard cost to renew your Green Card is 455 USD plus 85 USD for biometric fees². This cost is waived if you're applying within 30 days of turning 14 years old, and your card will expire after you turn 16.Jul 28, 2021

How much is USCIS green card fee?

We will automatically calculate the cost for you when you submit your payment. The USCIS Immigrant Fee is $220.00.

What is the easiest way to get a green card?

The simplest way to get a Green Card is through the Green Card Lottery. The U.S. Department of State gives away 55,000 Green Cards through the Diversity Visa Program every year.

How much does it cost a company to sponsor a green card?

Paying Application Fees and Costs Currently (2021), there is no fee for filing the PERM application with the DOL. However, there is a substantial fee that employers are expected to pay when filing the I-140 petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It's $700 as of early 2021.

How much is the fee for citizenship 2021?

How Much Will It Cost To Become A U.S. Citizen? As of February 2021, the total application fee for naturalization is $725. This fee consists of the processing fee of $640 and the biometrics fee of $85. The USCIS does not refund these filing fees regardless of the outcome of the naturalization application.

What is the filing fee for i 131?

$575Don't forget to sign your form.I am applying for a re-entry permit (Application Type A) and I am:Filing FeeTotal13 or younger$575$57514 to 79$575$66080 or older$575$575Aug 10, 2021

Temporary Employment / Work Visas

H-1B Visa:Attorney Fee: $1,195 ($1,495 if work location is at a client site)USCIS Fee: $460 to $3,460Processing Time: 15 to 150 daysH-4 Visa: Attor...

Permanent Residence / Green Card – Employer Sponsored

Green Card by Employer Sponsored Labor Certification with PERMAttorney Fee: $2,000 ($900 to prepare and file the PERM, $600 to file the I-140, $500...

Permanent Residence / Green Card – Self Sponsored

Green Card by National Interest WaiverAttorney Fee: $2,900 ($1,700 to prepare and file with USCIS, $1,200 due upon USCIS Approval)USCIS Fee: $700Pr...

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 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 adjustment of status?

An Adjustment of Status is where someone currently living in the U.S under a non-immigrant visa becomes a beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition and apply for their status to be changed to permanent resident. The person or entity that filed your immigrant petition has to file an I-485 form.

What is an H-4 visa?

H-4 visas are visas dependents of H-1B visa holders can apply for. This visa is used so that dependents (spouse and children under the age of 21 years) can stay with the H-1B visa holder in the U.S. Your application for an H-4 visa can be submitted with the H-1B visa application. H-4 visas allow the holders to work en get an education in the U.S.

What is AC21 in the US?

AC21 is the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act. This act allows foreign nationals to change jobs in the U.S before they obtained their green card. So, if you are a foreign national and you applied for an Adjustment of Status, but you have not yet received your green card yet you can change jobs without it affecting your visa or Adjustment of Status application.

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.

What is CPR status?

CPR status (or conditional permanent resident status) is given to those people who received permanent residence in the U.S based upon marriage to a U.S citizen or permanent resident spouse. This status applies if you were married less than 2 years at the time you were granted a green card. CPR status expires after two years, so you have to do a timely application in order for the conditions on your residence to be removed. This application must be made before your green card expires, otherwise you might be deported.

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 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.

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.

How much does it cost to get a green card?

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. This does not include the typical cost of the required medical examination, which varies by provider.

What documents are needed for a green card?

Document fees: As part of the green card application process, you will be asked to submit digital or physical copies of supporting documents, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and passport.

Can I pay my green card fees at the same time?

Also note that these government fees are only paid at the same time if you are the spouse or immediate relative of a U.S. citizen and living in the United States. For other scenarios, these fees will be paid several months apart, during different stages of the green card application process.

Do I need to bring my original green card to my final interview?

You and your spouse will also need to bring the original copies when attending your final green card interview (either in the United States or at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad). Government agencies generally charge fees for issuing certain official documents.

Does the government reimburse you for travel expenses?

Travel expenses: When you attend your biometrics appointment, green card interview, and medical exam, the U.S. government will not reimburse you for the expenses you incur when traveling to these locations. The same is true if you must travel to various government agencies to obtain official documents.

Do I need to update my green card before I get my medical exam?

Beyond direct government fees and the medical exam fee, there are other green card costs to keep in mind: Vaccination fees: Should your medical exam require it, you may need to update your vaccinations before receiving your completed medical examination report.

How much did the 1985 green card application cost?

In fact, the family-based green card fee (for both I-130 and I-485 forms) in 1985 was $85.

When will the USCIS change the filing fees?

2020: Finally, on November 14, 2019, the USCIS proposed yet another change to petition filing fees, including family-based green card application forms. The agency planned to make the changes effective 2020. Though the rule has yet to be effective, if it does, green card applicants should expect an increase in the current fees.

How long does it take for USCIS to process a green card?

The USCIS did not process a petition filed with premium processing within 15 calendar days. There may be extraordinary circumstances that could also warrant a refund of your family-based green card filing fees. If you and your immigration attorney feel that you deserve a refund, contact the USCIS.

How does a family based green card work?

Every family-based green card application process starts by filing forms such as the I-130, I-485, and DS-260, depending on the location of the green card application beneficiary. Each of these application forms has its own filing fees. In addition, there are other expenses, such as immigration medical exam fees, biometric service fees, and many more. All these make up the total cost of a family-based green card application. If you are pursuing permanent residence under the family-based category, this article gives you a breakdown of all the expenses from the beginning to the end of this process.

When did the USCIS fee schedule change?

2016: On December 23, 2016, the USCIS posted a new fee schedule that effectively raised the fees associated with almost every USCIS form available. The USCIS implemented a new fee schedule that made some drastic changes to both temporary nonimmigrant as well as permanent immigrant visa categories.

What is a nonimmigrant visa?

If you entered or are entering the U.S. under a nonimmigrant K visa (meaning that you are the fiancé (e), spouse, or dependents of a fiancé (e) or spouse of a U.S. citizen), then there are several more forms that may be required before you can get a green card based on your situation.

What is the medical exam for green card?

The immigration medical exam is compulsory for all applicants getting family-based green cards. The results of the exam are used to determine if an applicant has a disease or infection that could threaten the public health of the United States residents.

How to pay USCIS fees?

Depending on the form you are submitting, you may pay your fees: Online using a credit/debit card or bank withdrawal; By mail with a card, check or money order; or. In person at a USCIS field office. Pay with a Check.

How to pay USCIS fees with a credit card?

If you mail your form to a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may pay your fees with a credit card. To do so, follow these steps: Complete and sign Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. Place the form on top of your application, petition, or request. Mail the entire package to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox.

How to contact USCIS for disability?

Please refer to the form you filed for additional information, or you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833).

Is biometrics refundable?

Refund Policy. When you send a payment, you agree to pay for a government service. Filing and biometric service fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request.

Who pays for premium processing?

If premium processing is requested for the benefit of the employer, the employer must pay this expense. If the employee is the party requesting premium processing for his or her own benefit, then the employee may pay for premium processing. For example, in certain circumstances, an H-1B employee may begin working for a new employer ...

Who is responsible for PERM fees?

PERM Fees: According to federal regulations, the employer is responsible for all fees associated with the permanent employment certification process, known as PERM, including recruitment costs and attorneys’ fees. The only time the employee may pay for these costs is if the attorney represents the employee and not the employer.

What is H1B living expenses?

Living expenses when the employee is traveling on employer business. Attorney fees and other costs connected to the performance of the H-1B program functions that the employer must perform, such as preparation and filing of the labor condition application and H-1B petition. Therefore, an H-1B employer cannot require that an employee pay ...

How long does it take for a H1B to be approved?

The employee does not have to wait for USCIS to approve the petition, which can often take three months or longer. In order to avoid the risk of a USCIS denial of the petition after they begin working for the new employer, some employees want to use premium processing to obtain H-1B approval prior to transferring.

What are some examples of business expenses?

The following examples of employers’ business expenses are specifically enumerated in the regulations: Tools and equipment. Transportation costs where such transportation is an incident of, and necessary to, employment. Living expenses when the employee is traveling on employer business.

Can an employee pay for a perm?

The only time the employee may pay for these costs is if the attorney represents the employee and not the employer. However, in the vast majority of situations the attorney will be representing both the employer and employee during this step, as the PERM will be filed by the attorney on behalf of the employer.

Can an employer take a deduction from the required wage?

Federal regulations state that a deduction or reduction from the required wage is not authorized if it is a “penalty for ceasing employment with the employer prior to a date agreed to by the nonimmigrant and the employer.”. Nevertheless, in limited circumstances, an employer may receive “bona fide liquidated damages from an H-1B nonimmigrant who ...

Nonimmigrant Work Visas

Permanent Residence / Green Card – Employer Sponsored

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

Addressing Potential Issues

Immigration Consultations