How Much Does Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
Low End
$1,500
Average
$4,000
High End
$10,000
per case
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What Does Immigration Lawyer Include?
Immigration lawyers handle visas, green cards, citizenship applications, deportation defense, and asylum cases. Costs vary dramatically by case type and complexity.
The national average cost for immigration lawyer is $4,000 per case. Most homeowners pay between $1,500 and $10,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Case Type
Citizenship: $1,500-$3,000. Family green card: $2,000-$5,000. Employment visa: $3,000-$8,000. Deportation defense: $5,000-$15,000. Asylum: $5,000-$15,000
Filing Fees
Government fees add $500-$2,000+ on top of attorney fees
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Key Cost Factors
- ✓Case type
- ✓Complexity
- ✓Attorney experience
- ✓Location
- ✓Government filing fees
- ✓Appeals needed
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Simple applications like citizenship can be done without a lawyer ($725 filing fee only)
- 2.Legal aid organizations offer free immigration help for qualifying individuals
- 3.Get a flat-fee quote rather than hourly billing
- 4.Law school clinics provide supervised immigration help at no cost
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📈 Immigration Lawyer Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.8% over the last 5 years
$3,397
2020
$3,540
2021
$3,770
2022
$3,876
2023
$4,000
2024
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $3,397 | — |
| 2021 | $3,540 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $3,770 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $3,876 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $4,000 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Immigration Lawyer Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,230 | $3,280 | $8,200 |
| Alaska | $1,920 | $5,120 | $12,800 |
| Arizona | $1,425 | $3,800 | $9,500 |
| Arkansas | $1,200 | $3,200 | $8,000 |
| California | $2,025 | $5,400 | $13,500 |
| Colorado | $1,620 | $4,320 | $10,800 |
| Connecticut | $1,830 | $4,880 | $12,200 |
| Delaware | $1,575 | $4,200 | $10,500 |
| Florida | $1,470 | $3,920 | $9,800 |
| Georgia | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Hawaii | $2,130 | $5,680 | $14,200 |
| Idaho | $1,380 | $3,680 | $9,200 |
| Illinois | $1,575 | $4,200 | $10,500 |
| Indiana | $1,320 | $3,520 | $8,800 |
| Iowa | $1,290 | $3,440 | $8,600 |
| Kansas | $1,275 | $3,400 | $8,500 |
| Kentucky | $1,260 | $3,360 | $8,400 |
| Louisiana | $1,305 | $3,480 | $8,700 |
| Maine | $1,530 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| Maryland | $1,725 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| Massachusetts | $1,950 | $5,200 | $13,000 |
| Michigan | $1,380 | $3,680 | $9,200 |
| Minnesota | $1,530 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| Mississippi | $1,170 | $3,120 | $7,800 |
| Missouri | $1,305 | $3,480 | $8,700 |
| Montana | $1,425 | $3,800 | $9,500 |
| Nebraska | $1,320 | $3,520 | $8,800 |
| Nevada | $1,530 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| New Hampshire | $1,680 | $4,480 | $11,200 |
| New Jersey | $1,875 | $5,000 | $12,500 |
| New Mexico | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| New York | $1,980 | $5,280 | $13,200 |
| North Carolina | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| North Dakota | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Ohio | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Oklahoma | $1,245 | $3,320 | $8,300 |
| Oregon | $1,650 | $4,400 | $11,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,530 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| Rhode Island | $1,725 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| South Carolina | $1,305 | $3,480 | $8,700 |
| South Dakota | $1,275 | $3,400 | $8,500 |
| Tennessee | $1,290 | $3,440 | $8,600 |
| Texas | $1,395 | $3,720 | $9,300 |
| Utah | $1,425 | $3,800 | $9,500 |
| Vermont | $1,620 | $4,320 | $10,800 |
| Virginia | $1,575 | $4,200 | $10,500 |
| Washington | $1,725 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| West Virginia | $1,200 | $3,200 | $8,000 |
| Wisconsin | $1,410 | $3,760 | $9,400 |
| Wyoming | $1,380 | $3,680 | $9,200 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an immigration lawyer?
For straightforward applications (citizenship, renewal), you may not. For green cards, employment visas, deportation defense, or any complicated situation, a lawyer is strongly recommended.
🏙️ Immigration Lawyer Cost by City
Compare immigration lawyer costs in the most popular US cities:
New York City
NY
$5,800
Los Angeles
CA
$5,520
Chicago
IL
$4,600
Houston
TX
$3,800
Phoenix
AZ
$3,920
Philadelphia
PA
$4,480
San Antonio
TX
$3,520
San Diego
CA
$5,280
Dallas
TX
$4,080
San Jose
CA
$6,080
Austin
TX
$4,200
Jacksonville
FL
$3,680
Fort Worth
TX
$3,800
Columbus
OH
$3,600
Charlotte
NC
$3,800
Indianapolis
IN
$3,520
View all 219 cities →
San Francisco, CA
$6,200
Seattle, WA
$5,200
Denver, CO
$4,600
Washington D.C., DC
$5,400
Nashville, TN
$4,000
Oklahoma City, OK
$3,280
El Paso, TX
$3,280
Boston, MA
$5,600
Portland, OR
$4,720
Las Vegas, NV
$4,080
Memphis, TN
$3,280
Louisville, KY
$3,400
Baltimore, MD
$4,400
Milwaukee, WI
$3,680
Albuquerque, NM
$3,520
Tucson, AZ
$3,520
Fresno, CA
$4,200
Sacramento, CA
$4,720
Mesa, AZ
$3,800
Kansas City, MO
$3,600
Atlanta, GA
$4,200
Omaha, NE
$3,520
Colorado Springs, CO
$4,080
Raleigh, NC
$3,920
Long Beach, CA
$5,400
Virginia Beach, VA
$4,200
Miami, FL
$4,800
Oakland, CA
$5,800
Minneapolis, MN
$4,320
Tampa, FL
$4,080
Tulsa, OK
$3,280
Arlington, TX
$3,800
New Orleans, LA
$3,800
Pittsburgh, PA
$3,800
St. Louis, MO
$3,520
Bakersfield, CA
$4,080
Anaheim, CA
$5,400
Honolulu, HI
$6,000
Santa Ana, CA
$5,280
Riverside, CA
$4,600
Corpus Christi, TX
$3,400
Lexington, KY
$3,520
Stockton, CA
$4,400
Henderson, NV
$4,080
St. Paul, MN
$4,200
Cincinnati, OH
$3,520
Anchorage, AK
$5,120
Greensboro, NC
$3,520
Plano, TX
$4,200
Newark, NJ
$5,000
Lincoln, NE
$3,400
Orlando, FL
$4,080
Irvine, CA
$5,600
Durham, NC
$3,800
Chula Vista, CA
$5,120
Toledo, OH
$3,280
Fort Wayne, IN
$3,280
Jersey City, NJ
$5,400
St. Petersburg, FL
$4,080
Laredo, TX
$3,200
Madison, WI
$3,920
Chandler, AZ
$3,920
Buffalo, NY
$3,680
Lubbock, TX
$3,280
Scottsdale, AZ
$4,480
Reno, NV
$4,200
Glendale, AZ
$3,800
Gilbert, AZ
$4,080
Winston-Salem, NC
$3,400
North Las Vegas, NV
$3,920
Norfolk, VA
$3,920
Chesapeake, VA
$4,080
Irving, TX
$4,000
Fremont, CA
$5,800
Richmond, VA
$3,920
Boise, ID
$3,920
San Bernardino, CA
$4,320
Spokane, WA
$3,800
Des Moines, IA
$3,400
Tacoma, WA
$4,600
Modesto, CA
$4,200
Fontana, CA
$4,400
Moreno Valley, CA
$4,320
Fayetteville, NC
$3,400
Birmingham, AL
$3,280
Rochester, NY
$3,680
Salt Lake City, UT
$4,200
Oxnard, CA
$4,880
Knoxville, TN
$3,400
Worcester, MA
$4,600
Brownsville, TX
$3,120
Grand Rapids, MI
$3,600
Newport News, VA
$3,800
Huntsville, AL
$3,400
Amarillo, TX
$3,280
Little Rock, AR
$3,280
Montgomery, AL
$3,200
Akron, OH
$3,280
Augusta, GA
$3,280
Baton Rouge, LA
$3,400
Mobile, AL
$3,200
Shreveport, LA
$3,200
Tallahassee, FL
$3,600
Hartford, CT
$4,600
Providence, RI
$4,480
Charleston, SC
$3,920
Savannah, GA
$3,520
Columbia, SC
$3,400
Chattanooga, TN
$3,400
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$4,720
Dayton, OH
$3,280
Sioux Falls, SD
$3,400
Springfield, MO
$3,200
Jackson, MS
$3,120
Palm Bay, FL
$3,800
Lakeland, FL
$3,680
Cape Coral, FL
$3,920
Pensacola, FL
$3,520
Port St. Lucie, FL
$3,920
Naperville, IL
$4,600
Tempe, AZ
$4,000
Overland Park, KS
$3,800
McKinney, TX
$4,080
Frisco, TX
$4,200
Cary, NC
$4,080
Clarksville, TN
$3,400
Cedar Rapids, IA
$3,280
Peoria, AZ
$3,920
Surprise, AZ
$3,800
Denton, TX
$3,920
Roseville, CA
$4,600
Gainesville, FL
$3,520
Bellevue, WA
$5,600
Murfreesboro, TN
$3,680
Round Rock, TX
$4,080
Columbia, MD
$4,600
Boulder, CO
$5,000
Ann Arbor, MI
$4,400
Santa Fe, NM
$4,200
Wilmington, NC
$3,680
Greenville, SC
$3,520
Fargo, ND
$3,400
Provo, UT
$3,920
Duluth, MN
$3,520
Billings, MT
$3,680
Missoula, MT
$3,920
Cheyenne, WY
$3,520
Burlington, VT
$4,320
Portland, ME
$4,320
Concord, NH
$4,200
Bismarck, ND
$3,400
Rapid City, SD
$3,400
Casper, WY
$3,520
Bangor, ME
$3,800
Charleston, WV
$3,200
Dover, DE
$3,920
Manchester, NH
$4,320
Bridgeport, CT
$4,800
Stamford, CT
$5,400
Wichita, KS
$3,280
Topeka, KS
$3,200
Springfield, IL
$3,400
Rockford, IL
$3,400
Erie, PA
$3,280
Scranton, PA
$3,400
Flint, MI
$3,120
Lansing, MI
$3,400
Syracuse, NY
$3,520
Albany, NY
$3,800
Eugene, OR
$4,200
Salem, OR
$4,080
Fort Collins, CO
$4,400
Pueblo, CO
$3,400
Aurora, CO
$4,320
Santa Barbara, CA
$5,600
Santa Rosa, CA
$5,120
Pasadena, CA
$5,520
Visalia, CA
$4,000
Pomona, CA
$4,720
Myrtle Beach, SC
$3,520
Daytona Beach, FL
$3,680
Sarasota, FL
$4,200
Naples, FL
$4,720
Ocala, FL
$3,400
Athens, GA
$3,400
Macon, GA
$3,200
Lexington, SC
$3,400
Asheville, NC
$4,080
Flagstaff, AZ
$4,320
Rochester, NY
$3,680
New Haven, CT
$4,320
Manchester, NH
$4,200
Augusta, GA
$3,280
Fort Myers, FL
$3,920
Wilmington, NC
$3,800
Arlington, VA
$5,200
Green Bay, WI
$3,400
South Bend, IN
$3,280
Bend, OR
$4,480
Bellingham, WA
$4,400
Midland, TX
$3,800
Waco, TX
$3,280
Newark, NJ
$4,800
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Immigration Lawyer
$4,059
Avg Reported
$2,841
Lowest Reported
$5,886
Highest Reported
Recent Reports
$3,300
Dallas, TX · Jan 2024
★★★☆☆
$4,123
Chicago, IL · Feb 2024
★★★★☆
$3,506
Phoenix, AZ · Mar 2024
★★★★★
$4,992
Denver, CO · Apr 2024
★★★★☆
$3,303
Atlanta, GA · May 2024
★★★★☆
$5,451
Seattle, WA · Jun 2024
★★★★☆
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