The cost map
Separate agency fees, legal work and the expenses between them.
immigration lawyer and visa fees
A clearer path through immigration costs.
Government fees. Legal work. Everything in between. Build a practical budget and know what to ask before you pay.
- Separate the fee from the service
- Compare the scope, not just the total
- Check the official source before filing
One matter.
Three cost ledgers.
01Government charges
Verify the form, category and filing method at the official source.
02Professional services
Know who is represented, which tasks are covered and where the scope ends.
03Supporting expenses
Keep translations, appointments and travel visible in your plan.
Explore by topic
Plan & compare
Build a budget, compare a written scope and prepare for a consultation.
Protect your case
Check credentials, spot risky promises and use official information.
Start here
Plan & compare
How to compare immigration lawyer quotes fairly
Compare immigration lawyer quotes only after matching the client, stage and deliverables.
Plan & compare
Fixed fee or hourly billing: compare the boundaries
A fixed fee gives a price for defined work; hourly billing charges for recorded work under agreed rates and terms.
The cost map
Immigration lawyer and visa fees: build a complete cost map
A useful immigration budget separates government charges, professional services and supporting expenses.
Protect your case
Notarios and immigration consultants: avoid paying for unauthorized advice
In the United States, a notary title does not by itself mean someone is an attorney or authorized immigration representative.
The cost map
How to verify a filing fee before you pay
Verify a filing fee from the responsible agency’s current instructions for the exact form, category and filing method.
Protect your case
How to verify an immigration representative
Verify the specific individual who will provide legal advice, not just the business name.
Tools
Case budget worksheet
Add your verified government fees, written legal quote and supporting expenses. All starting amounts are illustrative.
Hourly legal work planner
Stress-test a quote using hours and rates you enter. Presets demonstrate arithmetic, not market prices.
Before you sign
A practical checklist for credentials, scope, payment and records. Progress is saved only in this browser.
Compare the engagement before the price
| Arrangement | What to clarify | Useful when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation only | Length, documents reviewed, written advice and credit toward later work | You need an initial assessment | A consultation does not automatically include filing |
| Fixed fee for one stage | Forms, applicants and exact end point | The agreed work is clearly defined | Evidence requests and interviews may be excluded |
| Hourly representation | Rates by staff member, billing increments and budget updates | Work cannot be scoped tightly at the start | An estimate is not necessarily a price cap |
| Phased engagement | Deliverables and payment trigger for each stage | You want visibility before the next stage | Later phases may require a new agreement |
Frequently asked questions
Are attorney fees the same as visa fees?
No. A legal fee pays for agreed professional services; an agency fee pays for a government application or service. Ask for separate line items and identify who receives each payment.
Does this site list current filing prices?
No. Use the official fee schedule and instructions for your exact form, category and filing method. Calculator starting values are illustrative and must be replaced.
Does a fixed fee cover the whole case?
Only the written scope tells you what is covered. Ask about interviews, evidence requests, additional family members and appeals before signing.
Can a representative guarantee approval?
Treat an approval guarantee as a warning sign. A provider can describe services and case risks; the government decides the application.
Can I find free legal help?
EOIR maintains a list of pro bono service providers for immigration court matters. Acceptance, availability and case coverage vary; contact the organization directly.
Do these tools assess eligibility?
No. They perform budgeting arithmetic and organize questions. A case involving removal proceedings, prior denials, criminal history or status problems needs individualized professional advice.
How this site is made
Petition Ledger is an AI-assisted educational project, not a law firm or government agency. It does not assess eligibility, prepare filings, collect leads or sell representation. No professional legal review is claimed. Government fee amounts must be verified directly before payment. Advertising is disabled. Publisher identity and a real public contact channel remain unresolved.