How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
In 2026, immigration attorneys generally charge $150–$600 per hour or a flat fee that ranges from about $2,000 for a simple case to $25,000+ for detained deportation defense. Below is what drives the price, the cost by case type, the separate government filing fees, and how payment plans work — or skip ahead and get a free, instant estimate for your exact case.
Two costs, not one: attorney fees vs. government fees
Every immigration case has two separate price tags, and confusing them is the #1 budgeting mistake:
- →Attorney fees pay for the legal work — strategy, forms, evidence, filings, and representation. This is what varies most by case.
- →Government filing fees are paid to USCIS or the court, not the lawyer — for example, $760 for N-400 naturalization or $1,440 for an I-485 green card.
See the full breakdown on our 2026 USCIS filing fees page.
How immigration lawyers charge
- →Flat fee — one price for a defined scope (green cards, naturalization, work permits). Best when the work is predictable; you know the total up front.
- →Hourly ($150–$600/hr) — common for litigation and unpredictable matters where the work can't be scoped in advance.
- →Retainer / hybrid — an up-front deposit billed against, often used for removal defense and federal court cases.
- ✓Payment plans & legal financing — we spread most fees over time so cost isn't a barrier. Ask during your consultation.
Immigration lawyer cost by case type (2026)
These attorney-fee ranges come straight from our case estimator. Government filing fees are shown separately. Click any case to run a free estimate tailored to your facts.
| Case type | Attorney fee | Gov. filing fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal Defense | $8,000–$25,000 | Varies (EOIR) | Estimate → |
| I-130 Family Petition | $2,000–$5,500 | $675 | Estimate → |
| I-130 + I-485 Full Package | $4,500–$9,500 | $3,005 pkg | Estimate → |
| I-485 Adjustment of Status | $2,500–$7,500 | $1,440 | Estimate → |
| I-751 Removal of Conditions | $2,500–$6,000 | $750 | Estimate → |
| N-400 Naturalization | $2,500–$5,000 | $760 | Estimate → |
| Asylum | $5,000–$15,000 | $100 | Estimate → |
| EAD / I-765 | $750–$2,000 | $520 | Estimate → |
| Crimmigration Consult | $1,500–$12,000 | Varies | Estimate → |
| Federal Litigation | $5,000–$30,000 | $405 court | Estimate → |
Attorney fees are estimate ranges, not a binding quote. Government fees as of early 2026; verify current amounts at uscis.gov/g-1055.
What drives the cost up or down
- →Case complexity — waivers (I-601/I-601A), RFE or NOID responses, and prior denials add work.
- →Criminal history — crimmigration analysis and post-conviction work raise the fee.
- →Detention & urgency — detained cases and expedited timelines cost more.
- →Litigation posture — contested court hearings and appeals bill higher than routine filings.
- →Evidence burden — asylum and hardship cases need extensive documentation and expert support.
Is hiring an immigration lawyer worth it?
For simple, low-risk filings some people self-file successfully. But immigration is unforgiving of mistakes: a wrong answer or missing waiver can trigger a denial, a re-filing (paying the government fee twice), or even removal proceedings. The cost of a lawyer is almost always smaller than the cost of a denial. If you want a middle path, we also offer flat-fee, limited-scope form review through ADLO.DIY — an attorney checks your own forms before you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
+How much does an immigration lawyer cost in 2026?
Most immigration attorneys charge either a flat fee per case or an hourly rate of roughly $150–$600. Flat fees commonly run from about $2,000 for a simple work-permit case to $25,000+ for detained deportation defense. Attorney fees are separate from the government (USCIS) filing fees.
+Do attorney fees include the USCIS filing fees?
No. The lawyer's fee pays for legal work; the USCIS government filing fee is paid separately to the government (for example, $760 for N-400 naturalization or $1,440 for an I-485 green card). Always budget for both.
+Is it cheaper to pay hourly or a flat fee?
For predictable filings (green cards, naturalization), a flat fee is usually better because you know the total up front. For unpredictable matters like litigation or complex court cases, hourly or a hybrid retainer is common. We quote flat fees wherever the scope allows.
+How much is an immigration lawyer consultation?
Consultation fees across the industry typically range from about $100 to $400 for 30–60 minutes. We do not advertise free consultations; a paid consultation buys you real legal analysis of your specific case.
+Are payment plans available?
Yes. American Dream Law Office offers payment plans and legal financing on most matters so you can spread the cost over time rather than paying everything up front. We go over the options during your consultation.
+Why do different case types cost different amounts?
Price tracks the legal work, risk, and strategy involved. A straightforward work permit is a fraction of the work of a contested asylum case or a detained removal defense with criminal issues, so the fees differ accordingly.
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Attorney Advertising. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Fee ranges shown are estimates only and do not represent a binding offer. Government filing fees change; confirm current amounts with USCIS. Legal representation is subject to a written engagement agreement.