Most immigration lawyers charge a flat fee per petition rather than by the hour: roughly $2,000–$7,000 for a family-based green card and $1,000–$2,500 for naturalization. Hourly rates, when used, run about $150–$600. Critically, attorney fees never include the government’s USCIS filing fees, which are billed separately and are non-refundable.
Key takeaways
- Flat fees are the norm in immigration because the work per petition is predictable.
- Two separate bills: the attorney fee and the USCIS filing fee. Always ask which quote you are being given.
- USCIS fees are not refundable if your petition is denied.
- Complexity raises the price — prior denials, overstays, criminal history, or removal proceedings move a case from routine to complex.
- Nonprofit and accredited legal-aid organizations handle many immigration matters at low or no cost.
Typical attorney fees by case type
| Case type | Typical attorney fee |
|---|---|
| Citizenship / naturalization (N-400) | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Family-based green card | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Simple applications / straightforward filings | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Complex cases (removal defense, prior denials, waivers) | $5,000–$15,000+ |
| Hourly, where billed | $150–$600/hour |
Government filing fees are separate
USCIS charges its own fees regardless of whether you hire a lawyer, and several increased in 2025. Two of the most common:
- Form I-485 (adjustment of status) — $1,440
- Form I-130 (petition for a relative) — $675
Always confirm current amounts on the official USCIS fee schedule before filing, since they change.
What drives immigration costs up
- Prior denials or a previous overstay, which may require a waiver.
- Any criminal history, which adds analysis and risk.
- Removal (deportation) proceedings, which involve immigration court and are the most expensive category.
- Requests for Evidence (RFEs), which add work after filing — ask whether responding to an RFE is included in your flat fee.
How to keep immigration costs down
- Get the flat fee in writing, and confirm exactly which forms and which stages it covers.
- Ask what is excluded — RFE responses, interview attendance, and appeals are commonly billed separately.
- Check nonprofit options. Accredited nonprofit organizations handle many petitions at low or no cost.
- Be organized. Complete, translated documents at the first meeting reduce billable back-and-forth.
- Avoid "notarios." In the US, a notary public is not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice — bad filings are expensive to fix.
Find help with our Immigration Lawyer Match or browse immigration attorneys near you. Se habla español: abogados de inmigración.
Sources & references
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This guide is general information, not legal advice. For help with your specific situation, connect with a licensed attorney — many offer a free first consultation.
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