Immigration Lawyer Costs by Visa Type: Complete 2025 Guide

Immigration law is complex and stakes are high — mistakes can result in deportation, visa denial, or years-long delays. Understanding costs helps you budget appropriately and evaluate attorney quotes.

Family-based green card: attorney fees $2,000-$6,000, USCIS filing fees $1,760-$2,500, medical exam $200-$500, document translation $100-$500. Total: $4,000-$10,000. Processing time: 12-36 months.

Employment-based green card: attorney fees $3,000-$8,000, USCIS filing fees $2,000-$3,000, labor certification (PERM) adds $2,000-$4,000 in attorney fees. Total: $7,000-$15,000+. Often employer-sponsored.

H-1B work visa: attorney fees $2,000-$5,000, USCIS filing fees $1,710-$4,000+, premium processing adds $2,805. Total: $5,000-$12,000. Typically paid by the employer.

Naturalization (citizenship): attorney fees $1,000-$3,000, USCIS filing fee $760, biometrics fee included. Total: $1,760-$3,760. Straightforward cases may not need an attorney.

DACA renewal: attorney fees $300-$1,000, USCIS filing fee $495. Total: $795-$1,495. Many nonprofit organizations offer free or low-cost DACA renewal assistance.

Deportation defense: attorney fees $5,000-$15,000+, bond hearing $1,500-$5,000, appeals $3,000-$10,000. These are the highest-stakes cases and justify the cost of an experienced immigration attorney.

Asylum applications: attorney fees $5,000-$15,000 (many nonprofits offer free representation), USCIS filing fee $0 (no fee for asylum), but cases require extensive documentation and evidence preparation.

Red flags when hiring an immigration attorney: guaranteeing outcomes (no one can), fees significantly below market rate, notarios offering legal advice (illegal in most states), and pressure to sign retainer agreements immediately.

How to save: immigration legal aid organizations offer free or reduced-cost services, law school clinics handle immigration cases under professor supervision, and some cases (DACA renewal, simple naturalizations) can be self-filed.