Quick Answer An immigration lawyer in 2026 typically costs $500–$1,500 for a simple case like an I-130 petition or N-400 naturalization, $1,500–$5,000 for a green card Adjustment of Status or H1B petition, $3,000–$8,000 for a K-1 fiance visa plus green card package, and $5,000–$25,000+ for deportation defense. Most attorneys charge flat fees for standard cases, while complex matters like removal defense and appeals are billed hourly at $150–$450 per hour. Attorneys in major metros such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago charge 20–40% more than smaller markets, and a one-time consultation runs about $100–$300. Attorney fees are separate from — and in addition to — USCIS filing fees. $500–$1,500 — Simple case (I-130 or N-400) $1,500–$5,000 — Green card (AOS) or H1B $150–$450 — Typical hourly rate $5,000–$25,000+Deportation defense Immigration Attorney Fees at a Glance — 2026 $500–$1,500 — Simple petition (I-130) $1,500–$5,000 — Green card (AOS) $1,500–$5,000H1B petition $5,000–$25,000+Deportation defense Immigration attorney fees in 2026 range from a few hundred dollars for a simple petition review to tens of thousands for complex removal defense. Understanding what drives attorney costs — and when you genuinely need one — helps you allocate your immigration budget wisely. This guide gives you real fee ranges for every major case type, explains how immigration lawyers charge, and shows you how to find affordable help if cost is a barrier. Know Your USCIS Filing Fees First Attorney fees are separate from — and in addition to — USCIS filing fees. Use our free calculator to see exactly what you owe USCIS. Open USCIS Fee Calculator Immigration Attorney Fees by Case Type — 2026 — Most immigration attorneys charge flat fees for standard cases because the scope of work is predictable. The ranges below reflect typical fees from attorneys across the US — big-city attorneys (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago) tend to charge 20–40% more than attorneys in smaller markets. Case Type Typical Attorney Fee Complexity I-130 — Petition (family sponsor only) — $500–$1,500 — Low Full AOS Package (I-485 + I-765 + I-131) — $1,500–$4,000 — Moderate I-130 + Full AOS (petitioner + beneficiary) — $2,500–$6,000 — Moderate H1B Petition (new or transfer) — $1,500–$5,000 — Moderate K-1 — Fiance Visa + Green Card (full package) — $3,000–$8,000 — Moderate–High N-400 — Naturalization Application — $500–$1,500 — Low I-751 (Remove Conditions on Residence) — $800–$2,500 — Low–Moderate I-90 (Green Card Renewal) — $400–$900 — Low Consular Processing (abroad) — $1,500–$4,000 — Moderate I-140 — Petition (employment-based) — $2,000–$5,000 — Moderate–High PERM Labor Certification (EB-2/EB-3) — $3,000–$8,000 — High EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) Self-Petition — $5,000–$15,000 — High EB-2 — National Interest Waiver (NIW) — $3,000–$8,000 — High I-601 / I-601A Inadmissibility Waiver — $2,000–$7,000 — High Asylum Application — $2,000–$10,000 — High Removal / Deportation Defense — $5,000–$25,000+Very High Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) appeal — $3,000–$10,000+Very High Fee ranges reflect typical US rates in 2026. Geographic variation is significant — major metro areas typically charge 20-40% more. How Immigration Attorneys Charge Immigration attorneys use several billing structures depending on the case type. Understanding how you will be charged helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid surprises. Flat Fee (most common for standard cases) Most immigration cases use flat fees because the scope is well-defined. You pay one set amount regardless of how long the attorney spends. This is typical for I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131, N-400, H1B petitions, and I-751. Advantage: predictable cost. Watch out for: what is excluded — phone calls, RFE responses, and additional filings are sometimes billed extra. Hourly Rate ($150–$450/hour) Hourly billing is more common for complex, unpredictable cases — deportation defense, appeals, litigation, or cases requiring extensive evidence preparation. Average hourly rates in 2026: solo practitioner $150–$250/hour; mid-size firm $250–$350/hour; large firm or specialist $350–$450+/hour. Ask for a retainer deposit and monthly billing statements. Unbundled (Limited Scope) Representation Some attorneys offer limited-scope help — reviewing your forms for errors, answering specific questions, or coaching you through a process without taking full representation. This can cost $200–$800 for a form review. It is a good middle ground for straightforward cases where you want a safety check without paying full attorney fees. Typical Hourly Rates by State — 2026 — Immigration attorney hourly rates vary by local market: cost of living, demand, and how many specialists practice in the area. Flat-fee quotes for the same case type follow the same regional pattern. The ranges below reflect typical private-attorney rates in each state's main immigration-law metros in 2026. Use them to sanity-check a quote — a number well above the local range is worth a second opinion. State Main immigration-law metro Typical hourly rate (2026) New YorkNew York City — $300–$500/hour CaliforniaLos Angeles — $250–$450/hour MassachusettsBoston — $250–$425/hour New JerseyNewark — $225–$400/hour VirginiaNorthern Virginia — $225–$400/hour FloridaMiami — $200–$375/hour IllinoisChicago — $200–$375/hour WashingtonSeattle — $200–$375/hour GeorgiaAtlanta — $175–$325/hour TexasHouston — $175–$325/hour Ranges are typical private-attorney estimates for budgeting only and vary by firm size, case complexity, and city within each state. Many standard cases are billed as a flat fee rather than hourly. Always confirm the exact fee and what it includes during a consultation. When Do You Actually Need an Immigration Lawyer? The most expensive legal mistake is not hiring an attorney when you need one. The second most expensive is paying full attorney fees for a case that was straightforward enough to handle yourself. Here is a framework for deciding. Cases often manageable without an attorney: ✓Simple immediate-relative green card (spouse/parent of US citizen) with no complications
✓Straightforward N-400 naturalization (no criminal history, no prior immigration issues)
✓Green card renewal (I-90) with no complications
✓I-751 removal of conditions for a continuing marriage with strong joint-filing evidence
✓EAD renewal (I-765) in an established category
Cases where you need professional help:
- ✗Any arrest, charge, or criminal conviction — even misdemeanors or traffic offenses
Originally published (with a free interactive calculator) at https://mortgagecalculatortools.com/immigration-lawyer-cost.html. Figures current as of July 2026; sources listed on the original page. Not legal or financial advice.
