An immigration lawyer costs $500 to $7,000 per case in 2026
An immigration lawyer costs $500 to $7,000 per case in 2026 for common cases like citizenship, green cards, and work visas. UpCounsel lists $500 to $1,500 for a citizenship application and $1,500 to $7,000 for employment petitions. Hard cases cost more. Immigration Start Guide lists $7,500 to $15,000 or more for removal defense. Nolo says hourly rates run $150 to $600. Government filing fees are extra, so ask what the quote covers before you sign.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Immigration Start Guide | Immigration Start Guide lists $700 to $2,500 for citizenship, $3,500 to $6,000 for a marriage green card, and $200 to $450 per hour. |
| Nolo | Nolo says hourly rates run $150 to $600 and the first visit costs $100 to $400. |
| UpCounsel | UpCounsel lists $500 to $1,500 for citizenship, $800 to $3,000 for a family green card, and $1,500 to $7,000 for employment petitions. |
Immigration lawyer flat fees by case type
| Case type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship (N-400) | $500 to $1,500 | UpCounsel |
| Citizenship (N-400) | $700 to $2,500 | Immigration Start Guide |
| Family green card | $800 to $3,000 | UpCounsel |
| Marriage green card, filed in the US | $3,500 to $6,000 | Immigration Start Guide |
| Employment petitions | $1,500 to $7,000 | UpCounsel |
| Asylum | $6,000 to $10,000 | Immigration Start Guide |
| Removal defense | $7,500 to $15,000 or more | Immigration Start Guide |
| Hourly rate | $150 to $600 | Nolo |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Case type | A citizenship form is simple, so it costs less. UpCounsel lists $500 to $1,500 for citizenship and $2,000 to $15,000 or more for deportation defense. |
| Flat fee or hourly | Many lawyers quote one flat price for a common case. Nolo says hourly rates run $150 to $600, and Immigration Start Guide says $200 to $450. |
| Case difficulty | Asylum and removal cases take far more work. Immigration Start Guide lists $6,000 to $10,000 for asylum and $7,500 to $15,000 or more for removal defense. |
| Where the lawyer works | Big cities and senior lawyers charge more. Nolo gives Northern California examples, such as $1,000 to $5,000 for a marriage green card. |
| Extra help | A full case costs more than one small service. Immigration Start Guide lists $425 to $850 for a document review and $1,000 to $3,000 for an evidence reply. |
What the price includes
A flat fee usually covers the lawyer's time to prepare and file your forms and to answer basic questions. Government filing fees are billed apart. Extra costs can include a reply to a request for evidence, an interview, or an appeal. Ask for a written list of what the flat fee covers and what it does not. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Immigration lawyers work in private firms, small offices, and online practices. Most bill a flat fee for a common case and bill by the hour for hard ones. Nolo says hourly rates run $150 to $600. Some lawyers charge for the first visit, from $100 to $400 at Nolo. Others offer it free. Government filing fees are paid to the government and are not part of the lawyer's fee. Ask when each payment is due and what happens if your case needs more work than planned.
When you need this
You may want a lawyer when your case has risk or many steps. Examples are asylum, removal defense, or a past denial. A lawyer can also help if you have a criminal record or a gap in your stay. A simple citizenship form may not need one. Many people pay for a document review instead, to check the forms before they file.
How to judge your quote
- Is the price a flat fee or hourly, and is it in writing?
- Does the quote say which forms and steps are covered?
- Are government filing fees listed apart from the lawyer's fee?
- What extra cost applies if you get a request for evidence or an interview?
- Compare the total with the range above: $500 to $7,000 per case for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for a flat fee in writing. Hourly billing can grow fast, and a flat price lets you plan before the work starts.
- Pay for a short strategy visit first. Immigration Start Guide lists $150 to $350, and UpCounsel says some visits are free or $150 or less.
- Ask about document review only. Immigration Start Guide lists $425 to $850 if you fill in the forms yourself and want a lawyer to check them.
- Compare quotes from at least three lawyers. Ask each one what is covered, so you can compare the same work.
- Ask about payment plans. Many firms let you pay the fee in parts, so you do not need the full amount up front.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Immigration Start Guide, Nolo and UpCounsel. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does an immigration lawyer cost per hour?
Nolo says hourly rates run $150 to $600. Immigration Start Guide lists $200 to $450 and UpCounsel lists $150 to $300.
How much does a lawyer cost for citizenship?
UpCounsel lists $500 to $1,500 for a citizenship application. Immigration Start Guide lists $700 to $2,500.
How much does a green card lawyer cost?
UpCounsel lists $800 to $3,000 for a family green card. Immigration Start Guide lists $3,500 to $6,000 for a marriage green card filed in the US.
Is the first meeting free?
Sometimes. UpCounsel says visits are often free or $150 or less. Nolo says many lawyers charge $100 to $400 for the first visit.
How much does it cost to fight a deportation case?
UpCounsel lists $2,000 to $15,000 or more for deportation defense. Immigration Start Guide lists $7,500 to $15,000 or more for removal defense.