Immigration Attorney Fees and Prices

I have been in practice as an immigration attorney in Southern California for ten years, and almost every potential client I see has the same questions about fees and prices. Something I also hear a lot is that “there’s no clear information about this on the internet!”

Hiring a lawyer to handle your case is the most expensive immigration option, and many would like to know why it’s the best option. I’d like to give you my take on the alternatives, and ultimately share price ranges and why I think you should hire my office to handle your case.

Option 1: Do It Yourself

Filing immigration forms independently may seem appealing because there is no additional fee beyond the mandatory government charges. However, despite this initial savings, DIY immigration comes with notable risks and challenges:

• Immigration paperwork is complicated and demands precision. Even minor errors or oversights can result in your application being returned or denied. You’re dealing with everything for the first time, whereas an experienced immigration attorney has seen hundreds or thousands of these applications.
• If your application is rejected due to mistakes, you'll lose the government fees already paid and the substantial time invested in preparing your case.
• The underlying law can even change from the time of your initial application to when it was denied, and it’s not necessarily easy or possible to start over.
• One significant difficulty often encountered by DIY applicants is the Request for Evidence (RFE). USCIS issues RFEs to request additional documentation or clarification, and these letters can be notoriously difficult for non-experts to interpret and respond to effectively. Common pitfalls include submitting the wrong documents, misunderstanding complex instructions, missing critical deadlines, or offering incomplete information. I advise against this approach.

A Word Of Caution About Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT

I also would advise against relying on artificial intelligence for immigration matters, because it’s still hallucinating outputs and has outdated or superseded information in its training data corpus. It’s also truly not culpable for its mistakes. And it definitely can’t appear by your side in court or at a USCIS interview. I personally think AI is great for all kinds of applications, but you don’t want to entrust your future to it.

Option 2: Hiring a Paralegal or Notario

There are paralegals who work for immigration attorneys and work on cases on their own time. Sometimes they even have standalone offices, promising low prices and lawyer-quality work. In the Latino community, these are sometimes known as notarios.

Paralegals or notarios sometimes come recommended by friends or family, and are lower cost and often nearby in the neighborhood, giving a false sense of reliability. However, here are some problems my clients have encountered with this type of service:

• Mistakes by unlicensed providers are common and can jeopardize your immigration case, sometimes irreversibly.
• Some providers may create USCIS accounts for you but then withhold the account information, effectively holding your username and password hostage and limiting your control over your own immigration process.
• Once paid, their level of service often drops significantly. Clients frequently report difficulty contacting providers, experiencing ignored calls, unanswered emails, and a general lack of accountability or communication.
• Unlicensed individuals cannot legally represent you in court or attend crucial interviews on your behalf, leaving you vulnerable at critical junctures in your immigration process. I know I just said this about AI, but it’s true of paralegals and notarios as well.
• Unlicensed providers sometimes lie to you about what they’re doing or the current disposition of your case. In contrast, licensed attorneys have a legal and ethical duty to act honestly and always advocate in your best interest.

I have had many clients who first used paralegals or notarios and had big problems with them. Why pay twice?

Option 3: Choosing the Lowest-Priced Attorney

Lots of people who would like to hire an immigration attorney start by getting multiple quotes, often on the phone or online, and just choose the least expensive option. Sometimes this can work out, but sometimes there are other factors you should consider:

• Do you feel comfortable with the attorney's communication style and demeanor?
• Is the lawyer trustworthy, reliable, and transparent in their interactions?
• Do they have positive, genuine online reviews from former clients who successfully navigated the immigration process?
• Will the attorney be easily accessible by phone or email after you have hired them, ensuring ongoing support and clear communication throughout your case?

Often, lawyers who charge the lowest price are only doing sales. What I mean by that is their job is to talk to potential clients on the phone, or have paid consultations, sign them up, and turn them over to paralegals or working lawyers in their office. Then it can be quite difficult to get that attorney, who you think is your attorney, on the phone to answer questions about your case.

Option 4: Why Choose Our Office?

Our firm is not the cheapest immigration law provider, but neither are we the most expensive. We firmly believe in offering clear, fair, and transparent flat-fee pricing structures without hidden costs or unexpected fees.

We tailor our services to your specific needs, offering both limited and comprehensive legal representation. And we’re a boutique: I, Susanna Litwack, handle your case from start to finish, and am available to you via email and phone. I strive for excellence, responsiveness, compassion, and efficiency. The goal is to make your immigration process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Immigration Fees and Prices Breakdown

Below is a detailed breakdown of common immigration government fees you can anticipate, accurate as of March 2025. These are not paid to me, but made out and paid directly to the U.S. Government, except for the medical exam, which is paid to a doctor.

Government Fees

• I-485 (Green Card Application): $1,440
• I-130 (Family Petition): $675
• Work Permit (EAD): $260–$520
• Advance Parole (Travel Permit): $630
• Naturalization (Citizenship): $710
• Fiancé Visa Petition (K-1): $675
• Non-immigrant Visa Application: $185
• Immigrant Visa Fee: $445
• Medical Exam: $200–$800
• 601(A) Provisional Waiver: $795
• 601 Waiver: $1,050

Attorney Fees

Attorney fees vary significantly based on your case complexity, timeline, and unique needs.

Typical Fee Ranges

• Adjustment of Status (Marriage & Family): $3,500–$6,000
• Naturalization: $1,500–$3,500
• Green Card Renewals: $500–$1,500
• Removal of Conditions (Green Card): $2,500–$5,500
• Fiancé Visa (K-1): $2,000–$4,000
• Consular Processing: $2,000–$6,000
• Deportation Defense: $5,000–$20,000
• Waivers: $5,000–$10,000
• VAWA Cases: $3,500–$5,500

Contact My Office

If you’d like to move forward with an immigration attorney on your case, give me a call at (818) 860-1123 or fill out the contact form below. I offer free case evaluations by phone, and I would be delighted to speak with you.