No one has to hire a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship ("naturalization") or most other matters, such as applying for a visa or green card. Such processes can often be handled on your own, if you are comfortable with paperwork, rules, and details, and if your request is straightforward (not complicated by criminal convictions and such). But is it worth going solo, just to save the few thousand dollars that U.S. attorneys typically charge for assisting with preparing immigration applications?
This article will give you some things to think about when deciding whether it's worth the money to hire an immigration lawyer. Approximately half of the people who apply for immigration benefits end up deciding to hire a lawyer.
How Much Immigration Lawyers Typically Charge
For most types of cases (other than ones requiring courtroom representation), immigration attorneys normally charge a “flat,” or fixed, fee rather than billing by the hour. Most immigration applicants prefer fixed legal fees, because they know from the start exactly what their case will cost. And in standard cases, lawyers are able to predict approximately how much time they will need to spend. If they spend more than that, it's their loss, not yours! (But the opposite is true.)
So, for example, an immigration attorney might charge $900 to prepare and submit your application for naturalized U.S. citizenship, or $2,000 to prepare an submit a K-1 fiancé visa application. Expect add-ons if there are any complications in your case, for example if the attorney must also prepare a request for a waiver of inadmissibility. Also, the amount you might have to pay a lawyer will depend on where you live, since immigration lawyers in big cities tend to charge the most.
As alluded to, the less predictable sorts of cases might require hourly representation. Expect anywhere from $200 to $450 an hour in lawyer's fees.
What Value an Immigration Lawyer Offers (Saving Time, Aggravation, and Even Money)
If you're just not sure exactly how to fill out the required application forms for an immigration benefit (such as the N-400 Application for Naturalization), or what documents you need to include in your submission to the U.S. government, or whether you meet the basic eligibility requirements in the first place, an immigration lawyer will help with all of that. And if there's some potential problem with your case, a lawyer is going to be able to spot it before you get started. For example, some people are shocked to realize that a long trip they took outside the U.S. might have actually reset the clock on how long they have to wait before applying for citizenship.
In some cases this could save you money, because you will need to pay a filing fee for the application, of several hundred dollars. You can't get the money back from the U.S. government if you are denied because it turns out you weren't actually eligible for the benefit you sought.
An immigration lawyer can also save you time. Not just the time it would take you to figure out how to apply, but also time you might waste if you make a mistake in applying or don't send the right type of document. At the least, USCIS, the government agency in charge of naturalization, would have to ask you for more evidence before approving your application. At the worst, USCIS could deny your application and you'd have to start over again.
The lawyer is going to fill out the application forms for you (based on information you provide), collect necessary documents from you, and make sure USCIS gets everything it needs for a proper application. Throughout the whole process, if USCIS needs something from you or needs to tell you something, it will send your lawyer a copy of any notice it sends you. Your lawyer will deal with USCIS as your representative.
The lawyer can also attend any U.S.-based in-person interviews with you, at a USCIS office—mostly to take notes about what happens during the interview in case you are denied, but also to speak up on your behalf if the USCIS officer needs clarification or asks you inappropriate questions.
What an Immigration Lawyer Cannot Do for You
If you hire an immigration lawyer, you can't expect to sit back and watch the lawyer do everything for you. First, you have to provide all the information about yourself necessary for the lawyer to fill out the forms, including answers questions about things that might have happened in your past. You'll need to gather documents that the lawyer asks you for.
You will have to come up with the money for any U.S. government filing fee you will most likely have to pay. You might have to go to a USCIS application support center (ASC) to have your fingerprints (biometrics) taken, and then to another USCIS office at a later date for an interview.
Don't expect your lawyer to give you a ride to the USCIS office for any interview, either, unless you've agreed to this arrangement. At any interview, you'll be the main person answering questions, though the lawyer might be able to intercede if there's a misunderstanding or if a legal argument needs to be made.
If you need to use a foreign-language interpreter at your USCIS interview, it's might be your responsibility to find one, though the lawyer might be able to suggest possibilities and to tell you if your local USCIS office will provide an interpreter for you.
In the American system, an immigration lawyer has no special influence over the government's decision. There is nothing outside the law that a lawyer can do to make your application process go faster or make it more likely that you will get your citizenship. However, a lawyer will know everything that's legally possible to make your application process go as quickly and successfully as it can.
Circumstances When You Really Should Hire an Immigration Attorney
While the decision to hire an attorney is unique to each individual, there are certain urgent or difficult circumstances where hiring one can offer significant benefit, such as:
- You are in removal proceedings before a U.S. Immigration Court. In Immigration Court hearings, the U.S. government will be arguing that you should be removed or “deported” from the United States. Facing a judge will be intimidating, though the judge is at least expected to be impartial, and might ask you questions meant to bring forward helpful information. However, the agency acting on behalf of the United States is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE”). The ICE attorney is not your friend, and will cross-examine you, potentially suggest that you’re lying, and look for every possible reason you should be deported. Having an attorney advocating on your behalf will ensure that your interests are protected. It's especially important if you are detained by ICE during removal proceedings. Your attorney can advise you on whether you are eligible for a custody hearing, speak on your behalf in Immigration Court, analyze your options, keep track of court deadlines, prepare any applications for relief for which you might be eligible, and prepare you and your witnesses for testimony (and cross-examination) .
- A U.S. government agency has investigated or questioned you. Most immigration applications are handled through paperwork submitted to and received from remote government offices. But if you are ever personally contacted or interviewed by either a Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent, a USCIS Immigration Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspector, or a similar agent of an office within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it might mean that the U.S. government has information suggesting you are not eligible for whatever immigration benefit you’ve been seeking or have obtained. An immigration attorney should be able to help you find out what's going on and explore the best strategy to navigate any further enforcement action or complications with your immigration case.
- You have been arrested or convicted of a crime. A crime committed anywhere in the world could make you ineligible for a U.S. visa or immigration benefit. Sometimes, the mere fact that you have been arrested (though not convicted) can cause the U.S. government to request additional information. The intersection between criminal law and immigration (sometimes called “crimmigration”) is hugely complex, and depends heavily on the wording of your state’s criminal statutes. An experienced immigration lawyer can help you understand the impact any criminal history could have on your immigration case, and should be brought in early on to consult with your criminal attorney, if any.
- You have received a Request for Evidence from USCIS. USCIS issues Requests for Evidence (“RFEs”) if it thinks you are not eligible for the application you filed but wants to give you a final opportunity to show that you are, or if it needs additional information to make a decision. An attorney will be able to figure out why USCIS issued the RFE then hopefully help you avoid a denial, by advising you on what documents to gather and by preparing a convincing response to the RFE.
- You need a waiver of inadmissibility. If you do not meet the minimum requirements for a U.S. visa or an immigration benefit within the United States, most likely because you match one of the grounds of “inadmissibility,” you might be able to apply for a “waiver.” This basically means asking the United States for legal forgiveness for what you might have done. Waivers can, for example, excuse certain criminal convictions, acts of fraud, and even a refusal to be vaccinated (in the case of a green card applicant). No two waiver applications are alike, and each waiver has different requirements. The USCIS filing fees are high. (For example in early 2026, the filing fee for an I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, is $1,050 in most cases.) Thus, if you need to request a waiver, you will want to ensure that your application is strong.
- You aren’t comfortable handling all of the guesswork and paperwork in the immigration process. Even if none of the above situations applies to you, and your case is relatively straightforward—for example, you are a U.S. citizen sponsoring a foreign parent for permanent residency status and there are no potentially problematic issues—you might want to hand your matter to a professional. An attorney will take care of all the analysis, forms, and paperwork, and deal with any surprise complications or delays. The attorney will make sure the information you provide is consistent—saving you from questions if, for instance, you insert a typo such that a family member’s name is spelled two different ways. An attorney will meet with you personally (or virtually) and highlight areas of potential concern. The attorney can also prepare legal memos or supporting documents, or instruct you on what you’ll need to supply (such as birth, death, or marriage certificates). The attorney will guide you through each step of the application process, and serve as your main contact point for U.S. immigration authorities.
Selecting the Right Immigration Lawyer for Your Case
Start by try calling several immigration lawyers in your area to see how much they charge, whether they're taking new clients, and how much experience they have with the type of case you have. When preparing to meet with your prospective new immigration lawyer, gather all documents related to your case. These could include documents used to enter the U.S., proof of a family sponsor’s status as a citizen or permanent resident, birth certificates or a marriage license, and any police reports from past arrests.
In addition to hearing the attorney’s take on your case, you’ll want to ask questions to help decide whether they're right for your case. People who are satisfied with the lawyers they hired to help with immigration matters often mention good communication—in which the lawyer clearly explains the options, is easy to reach for follow-up questions, and keeps them informed about the progress of their applications. So be sure to ask questions aimed at helping you evaluate whether they lawyer will communicate well and give you the help you need.
When ready to hire a particular lawyer, make sure the lawyer-client agreement says exactly what the lawyer is or isn't going to do for you.
What If You Cannot Afford an Immigration Attorney?
If you find yourself in a tough situation, but do not have the money to pay for an immigration attorney, there might be other options:
- Low or no-cost legal service providers: Many states have public interest groups with experienced immigration staff who will represent you, or in the alternative, provide assistance as you navigate the immigration process yourself. Some examples are your local Catholic Charities, law schools with immigration law clinics, and local groups unique to your community. You might need to prove that your income is below a certain threshold before such groups are able to take on your case.
- Bar associations: The American Bar Association maintains a robust pro bono program for people in need of no-cost immigration representation. In addition, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) operates a Military Assistance Program in coordination with the U.S. military’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and connects servicemembers with immigration attorneys who can provide assistance on a pro bono (no-cost) basis. You might also want to check with your state’s bar association, cultural organizations, and local resources for free clinics, workshops, and other programs. Just make sure you’re working with an actual attorney, or someone supervised by one, rather than well-meaning volunteers or scammers.
- Payment plans: Some private attorneys offer their clients payment plans, that is, scheduled payments over time. If you find an attorney you are interested in working with, it would be worth inquiring as to whether they will accept a payment plan on a fee schedule that is mutually acceptable.
One caution, however: Although nonlawyers such as paralegals or notaries (known as notarios in the Spanish-speaking community) offer immigration services, hiring one who isn't supervised by a licensed attorney is a huge risk. These people cannot give you legal advice or discuss your case with U.S. immigration officers—a significant problem, given the complexities of U.S. immigration law. Certified paralegals are will have received training and approval to help foreign nationals fill out legal forms, but notaries or “immigration consultants” are operating on the margins of permissible activities and don’t necessarily have any legal knowledge or training, much less a professional license. When they fail to help clients, it can result in deportation, meaning the very person who might complain to U.S. authorities is far away; and enforcement is rare in any case.
Even if your immigration case is a simple one, as stated above, the constantly evolving landscape of immigration rules and procedures make this area of law one of the most complex in the United States. As you research local immigration attorneys, and learn more about the requirements of whatever immigration benefit you’re applying for, you might discover that the value you receive from them makes their services less expensive than you initially thought.