Most immigration lawyers charge flat fees for routine filings, roughly $1,000–$3,500 for citizenship and $2,000–$8,000 for a family green card, while hourly rates run about $150–$600 per hour (Clio's 2025 national average for immigration lawyers: $366/hour). Deportation defense, asylum and employment green cards often cost $5,000–$20,000+. Government filing fees are extra (Clio, Nolo, Lighthouse, Boundless and USCIS fees, as of October 2026).
Updated October 10, 2026. Source: USCIS + 12 more. National US figures; your state and case will differ.
We keep attorney fees and government fees in separate tables, because many online "total cost" figures mix the two. For how legal fees work in general, see our guide to how much a lawyer costs.
Typical immigration lawyer fees by fee arrangement
Ranges below synthesize consumer-legal publishers and pricing pages dated 2024–2026; they are attorney fees only and exclude USCIS, State Department and court fees.
| Fee arrangement or scenario | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | $0–$400 | Many lawyers offer free or low-cost consultations; Nolo reports $100–$400 when charged, and some credit it toward your case. |
| Hourly rate | $150–$600/hour | Common for removal defense, appeals and unpredictable cases. Clio's 2025 data puts the average immigration lawyer rate at $366/hour nationally. |
| Flat fee (routine filings) | $1,000–$8,000 per case | Most common for naturalization, family petitions and green cards. Extras like an interview or a waiver may cost more. |
| Retainer (advance deposit) | Varies; often several thousand dollars | Held in a trust account and drawn down as the lawyer bills hourly. Unused funds are generally refundable. |
| Contingency fee | Rare / not used | Immigration cases don't produce a money award, so lawyers almost never take them on a percentage basis. |
| Limited-scope help | Often $500–$1,500 per task | Example: an advance parole or work permit filing alone. Not every lawyer offers unbundled services. |
Immigration lawyer fees by case type (2026)
Attorney fees only. Where sources disagree, we show the combined range.
| Case type | Typical attorney fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship (Form N-400) | $1,000–$3,500 | Nolo puts N-400 help at $500–$3,000. See our citizenship lawyer cost guide. |
| Family green card (I-130 + I-485) | $2,000–$8,000 | Marriage cases at top-tier firms can reach $8,000–$15,000. See our green card lawyer cost guide. |
| K-1 fiancé(e) visa | $900–$5,000 | Adjustment of status after the wedding is usually billed separately. See K-1 visa lawyer cost. |
| Removal of conditions (I-751) | $1,500–$3,500 | For two-year conditional green cards based on marriage. |
| Employment green card (incl. EB-1) | $5,000–$15,000+ | PERM labor certification, when required, adds about $3,000–$8,000. See EB-1 visa lawyer cost. |
| O-1 or H-1B work visa | $2,000–$15,000 | O-1 cases sit at the high end because of the evidence needed. |
| Asylum | $3,000–$10,000+ | Cases in immigration court often cost more. |
| Deportation (removal) defense | $1,500–$20,000+ | Depends on detention, number of hearings and relief sought. See deportation lawyer cost. |
| Waiver of inadmissibility | $3,000–$8,000 | Billed on top of the underlying green card case. |
| Response to a Request for Evidence | $1,000–$3,000 | Some flat fees include RFE responses; many don't. |
Government fees you pay on top of the lawyer
Official USCIS, EOIR and premium processing fees checked October 2026. Paper/online amounts shown where they differ.
| Government fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| N-400 naturalization | $760 paper / $710 online | Reduced fee of $380 for incomes at or below 400% of poverty guidelines; fee waivers available. |
| I-130 family petition | $675 paper / $625 online | Filed by the U.S. citizen or green card holder. |
| I-485 green card (adjustment of status) | $1,440 | $950 for a child under 14 filing with a parent. |
| I-129F fiancé(e) petition | $675 | The K visa application at the consulate is a separate fee. |
| I-140 employment petition | $715 + $600 Asylum Program Fee | Asylum Program Fee is $300 for small employers and self-petitioners, $0 for nonprofits. |
| Premium processing (I-907), I-129/I-140 | $2,965 | Raised from $2,805 on March 1, 2026. Optional. |
| I-589 asylum application | $100 | Added by the 2025 H.R. 1 law, plus an annual fee of $102 (rising to $105 for FY2027) while the case is pending. |
| Immigration court appeal (EOIR-26) | $1,030 | FY2026 EOIR fee effective February 1, 2026. |
Hiring a lawyer vs. other options
Typical 2026 costs for the attorney or service fee only. Government fees apply in every column.
| Private immigration lawyer | Nonprofit / DOJ-accredited representative | DIY with filing software | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical service cost | $1,000–$15,000+ depending on case | Free or low-cost; some charge nominal fees | Low; you pay only government fees (plus any software you choose) |
| Can appear in immigration court | Yes | Yes, if accredited for court | No (you represent yourself) |
| Legal advice on your situation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best fit | Complex, court or employment cases | Low-income applicants, removal cases | Simple, clean-record filings |
Cost breakdown: a marriage green card filed inside the U.S. (lawyer plus government fees)
Line-item estimate. National figures as of October 10, 2026; your state and court can differ.
| Cost item | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney fees (I-130 + I-485 package) | $2,000–$8,000 | Flat fee; top-tier firms can charge more |
| USCIS: I-130 (paper) + I-485 | $2,115–$2,115 | $675 + $1,440; I-130 is $625 online |
| USCIS: optional work permit and travel document | $0–$890 | I-765 $260 + I-131 $630 with a pending I-485 |
| Estimated total | $4,100–$11,000 | Before any fee waiver or award of fees |
Medical exam fees are paid to a USCIS civil surgeon and vary by doctor, so they're not included above.
What changes the price
- Type of case. A naturalization filing may cost $1,000–$3,500 in attorney fees, while an employment green card or removal defense case often runs $5,000–$20,000 or more.
- Complexity and history. Prior visa overstays, criminal records, earlier denials or a needed waiver add work. Flat-fee agreements usually let the lawyer charge extra for surprises like undisclosed arrests.
- Immigration court vs. USCIS. Court cases involve hearings, evidence deadlines and possible appeals, so many lawyers bill hourly. Detention usually raises the cost further.
- Location and firm size. Hourly rates in major metro areas commonly reach $400 or more. A lower price from a solo lawyer doesn't automatically mean lower quality.
- Requests for Evidence and interviews. Attending an interview or answering an RFE can add $1,000–$3,000 if your flat fee doesn't cover it.
- Family members on the case. Adding a spouse or children usually means extra filings and a smaller added fee per person.
How to save without sacrificing quality
- Get two or three consultations and compare what each flat fee includes: the interview, RFE responses and follow-up filings.
- Ask whether a nonprofit or DOJ-accredited representative near you can help. Their fees are usually far lower, though waitlists can be long. In Chicago, for example, see our Chicago immigration lawyer cost guide.
- Check the USCIS reduced fee or fee waiver for N-400 if your household income qualifies; it can cut the $760 government fee to $380 or $0.
- Organize your documents (birth and marriage certificates, tax records, prior immigration papers) before the first meeting so you pay for less lawyer time.
- File online when the form allows it: N-400 and I-130 cost $50 less online than on paper.
- Ask about limited-scope help, where the lawyer reviews your forms or handles one step while you do the routine paperwork.
Related questions people ask
What is the average cost of an immigration lawyer?
For common filings, most people pay a flat fee in the $1,000–$8,000 range: about $1,000–$3,500 for citizenship and $2,000–$8,000 for a family green card. Court and employment cases often exceed $5,000. Hourly rates typically run $150–$600.
How much does it cost to hire an immigration lawyer, all in?
Add the attorney fee to government fees. A marriage green card filed inside the U.S., for example, means roughly $2,000–$8,000 in attorney fees plus $2,115 in USCIS fees for the I-130 (paper) and I-485. Optional work and travel permits add $260 and $630.
Do immigration lawyers charge by the hour or a flat fee?
Both. Flat fees are standard for predictable filings like naturalization and family petitions. Hourly billing, often backed by a retainer, is common for removal defense, appeals and cases with unclear scope.
What to get in writing: the fee agreement
Before you pay anything, ask for a written fee agreement (engagement letter) that spells out:
- Whether the fee is flat or hourly, the rate, and exactly which forms and steps it covers (interview, RFE response, appeal).
- That government filing fees are listed separately, and who pays them directly to USCIS or the court.
- What triggers extra charges, such as a waiver, a second interview or newly discovered criminal history.
- The payment schedule, any payment plan, and the refund policy if you end the representation early.
FAQ
Are immigration consultations free?
Some are. Nolo reports consultation fees of about $100–$400 when lawyers charge them, and many offer free first consultations. Some credit the consultation fee toward your case if you hire them.
Can a notario or immigration consultant help instead of a lawyer?
Notarios and visa consultants are not authorized to represent people before immigration court or the Board of Immigration Appeals. Licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives of recognized nonprofits can give legal advice and represent you.
Are attorney fees refunded if my case is denied?
Usually not. Flat fees pay for the lawyer's work, not a result, and government filing fees are generally nonrefundable. Read the refund terms in your agreement before signing.
Do immigration lawyers offer payment plans?
Many do, especially for flat-fee cases. Ask whether the plan adds any cost and whether work pauses if a payment is missed.
Related fee guides
Sources
- USCIS — Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 01/17/25, checked October 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Clio — Legal Trends: Compare lawyer rates by practice area (2025 data, updated March 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Nolo (AllLaw) — Is an Immigration Lawyer Worth the Cost? (updated Aug 25, 2025). Checked October 10, 2026.
- CitizenPath — USCIS Fees (based on USCIS fee schedule of 04/01/2024) (updated June 3, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Federal Register (USCIS) — Fiscal Year 2027 Inflation Adjustment to H.R. 1 Immigration Fees (scheduled for publication Oct 1, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Federal Register (EOIR) — Inflation Adjustment for EOIR OBBBA Fees. Checked October 10, 2026.
- University of Pennsylvania ISSS — USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase – Effective March 1, 2026 (2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Nolo — How Expensive Is an Immigration Lawyer? (updated Feb 7, 2024). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Lighthouse — Immigration Lawyer Cost: Fees, Pricing & What to Expect (Feb 3, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Lighthouse — Immigration Attorney Fees (Feb 3, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- Boundless — Lawyer costs for a marriage-based green card (2024 figures). Checked October 10, 2026.
- CitizenPath — K-1 visa cost (updated Sept 1, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026.
- EOIR (U.S. Department of Justice) — Legal Representation (updated Dec 14, 2025). Checked October 10, 2026.
Fee figures are estimates and vary by state, lawyer and case. See our methodology and editorial policy. Browse all immigration fee guides.