Dear Sir or Madam:
Our firm provides solutions to United States immigration issues for business and individual clients throughout the world. Because United States immigration regulations are federal laws our practice is not limited by state boundaries. Additionally, through use of modern communication technologies, we provide services to a world-wide client base.
The following is an overview of our immigration services and estimated legal fees as well as government costs associated with each application:
Temporary Visas
B-1/B-2 Visitor's Visas
Available to visitors coming to the U.S. for business or pleasure, B-1 business visitor visas are for a short duration and must not involve local employment. Nationals of certain countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
$1000 Legal fee for advice on application submission, interview techniques and a 10-15 minute telephone conversation prior to the interview with the immigration officer; and $2400 to be attorney of record, submit the application on behalf of the client and speak to the immigration officer.
$100 Government fee for the visa application form. Depending on the country of nationality and reciprocity rules, there may be an additional $100 visa issuance fee.
E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader and Investor Visas
Investors and traders and their employees may receive visas to carry on their businesses in the U.S. if their home country has a commercial treaty with the US conferring visa eligibility. Must be substantial trade of goods or services, principally between the U.S. and treaty country. Must be substantial investment in U.S. in a commercial enterprise.
$4500 Legal fee
$190 Government filing fee to apply for a change of status or extension of stay to an E-1 or E-2 status if in the U.S.;
$200 Government filing fee for family members to change/extend status if in U.S.
$1000 Premium processing (optional expedite service);
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 for E-2 spouse to apply for employment authorization;
$100 Government fee (if applying at the Consulate).
Depending on the country of nationality, there may be an additional fee for visa issuance depending on visa reciprocity.
F-1 and M-1 Student Visas
Persons seeking to pursue a full course of study at a school in the United States may be eligible for a visa for the course of their study plus, in some cases, a period for practical training in their field of study.
Fees are payable to the educational institution issuing the Form I-20 after acceptance to the school. However, SRTF can assist student to obtain B-2 prospective student status and then file for change of status after arrival in the U.S.
$1500 Legal fee to facilitate, implement and advise students/families on the visa process
$1000 Legal fee for change in student status
$100 Government filing fee for the visa application form.
$100-200 Each institutions determines their own fees to issue Form I-20 but often fees run from $100 to 200, or the fee may be included in the student’s application or enrollment fee to the University
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visas (Professionals with college degree or equivalent)
Professional workers with at least a bachelor's degree may be eligible for a non-immigrant employment visa if their U.S. employer demonstrates that they will pay at least the prevailing wage and that the position is a “specialty occupation.”
$4500 Legal fee
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-129
$200 Government filing fee for Form I-824 (if in U.S.)
$200 Government filing fee for family members to change status or
extend status (if in the U.S.)
$1000 Premium Processing fee (to expedite service)
$500 Fraud prevention fee (initial H-1B application)
$750-1500 ACWIA fee (depends on size of company)
$100 Visa Application fee at Consulate
H-2B Visas for Seasonal, One-time or Intermittent Employment
This category is often utilized by U.S. employers who have a short term and/or on-going employment needs to fill seasonal peaks in businesses. Hotels, restaurants, manufacturers and those in resort areas utilize this category. One petition may cover many aliens in the same job classification.
$4000 Legal fee per petition plus $750 per person in same job classification
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-129
$200 Government filing fee for family members to change status or
extend status (if in the U.S.)
$1000 Premium Processing fee (to expedite service)
$100 Visa Application fee at Consulate
J-1 and Q-1 Exchange Visitor Visas
Persons coming to the U.S. with an approved exchange program may be eligible for the J-1 Exchange Visitor's visa. J-1 programs often cover students, short-term scholars, business trainees, teachers, professors and research scholars, specialists, international visitors, government visitors, camp counselors and au pairs. In some cases, participation in a J-1 program will be coupled with the requirement that the beneficiary return home for at least two years before being permitted to switch to a different non-immigrant visa or to permanent residency. A Q visa is intended as a cultural exchange visa and applies only to certain professions.
$6,000 Legal fee
$750-1500 J-1 Sponsoring Agency fee
$100-200 SEVIS document fee
$100 Visa application fee
K-1 Fiancée Visas or K-3 Visa for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
A Fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen is eligible for a non-immigrant visa conditioned on the conclusion of the marriage within 90 days.
$1400-$5000 Legal fee, depending upon complexity of case.
$170 Government filing fee for Form I-129F
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-130 (for those already married)
$100-200 Visa Application fee at Consulate
L-1 Intra-company Transfer Visas
L-1 visas are available to executives, managers and specialized knowledge employees transferring to their employer's U.S. affiliate. Executives and managers holding L-1 visas may be eligible for permanent residency without the need for a labor certification.
$4500 Legal fee
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-129
$200 Government filing fee for Form I-824 (if in U.S.)
$200 Government filing fee for Form I-539, family members to change status or extend status (if in the U.S.)
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service, however L-1 cases are suppose to be adjudicated within 30 days at the Service Centers)
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 for L-2 spouse to apply for employment authorization
$100 Visa Application fee at Consulate per person
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Worker Visas
The O-1 category is set aside for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability. This includes entertainers, athletes, professors, researchers, scientists, and business persons.
$8,000 Legal fee
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-129
$200 Government filing fee for Form I-824 (if in U.S.)
$200 Government filing fee for family members to change status or
extend status (if in the U.S.)
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service)
$100 Visa Application fee at Consulate per person
P-1 Artists and Athletes Visas
This category covers high level athletes, artists and entertainers who are participating in events, exhibitions, tournaments or competitions and who may coach or teach incidental to these events.
$8,000
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-129
$200 Government filing fee for Form I-824 (if in U.S.)
$200 Government filing fee for family members to change status or
extend status (if in the U.S.)
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service)
$100 Visa Application fee at Consulate per person
R-1 Religious Worker Visas
Religious workers may be eligible for an R-1 visa.
$5200
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-129 for change of status (if applying in the U.S.)
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service)
$100 Visa Application fee at Consulate per person
TN Status Under the North American Free Trade Agreement
A special category has been set up for nationals of Canada and Mexico under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Professionals whose occupation appears on the TN skills list may come to work under TN status if a U.S. employer offers a position.
$190 Government fee to change or extend TN status (only if
applying within the U.S.
$1000 Premium Processing fee (only if applying in the U.S. --optional expedite service)
$200 Government filing fee for family members to change status or
extend status (if in the U.S.)
$50-100 Visa Application fee at border
Permanent Residency Visas ("Green Cards")
Family Sponsored Immigration
U.S. citizens may petition for spouses, parents, children and siblings. Permanent residents may petition for spouses and children.
$5000 Legal fee for marriage based cases
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-130
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485 (if in the U.S.)
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-130
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
$8,000 Minimum legal fee for visas relating to the adoption of children.
Government fee(s) to be provided based on a case by case analysis.
EB-1 Foreign Nationals of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers and Multinational Executives and Managers
Individuals who qualify for this category can petition for permanent residency without having to go through the time consuming labor certification process.
$10,000 Legal fee for principal applicant plus $500 for each additional family member
$195 Government filing fee for Form I-140
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service)
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
EB-2 Workers with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts or Business
Visa holders in this category normally must have a job offer and the potential employer must complete the labor certification process. The labor certification involves a testing of the job market to demonstrate that the potential visa holder is not taking a job away from a U.S. worker. In cases where an individual can show that his work is in the national interest, the job offer and labor certification requirements can be waived.
$10,000 Legal fee plus $500 per family member
$195 Government filing fee for Form I-140
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service)
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals
Visa holders in this category normally must have a job offer and the potential employer must complete the labor certification process.
$`10000 Legal fee
$195 Government filing fee for Form I-140
$1000 Premium Processing fee (optional expedite service)
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Visas for Religious Workers
Ministers of religious organization are eligible for permanent residency as well as others who meet the definition of “special immigrants’ including returning residents, those seeking reacquisition of U.S. Citizenship, U.S. employees abroad in the foreign service, Panama Canal Treaty employees, commuters from border, foreign medical graduates practicing since 1978, G-4 retired officers, court dependents, person who served in active duty in U.S. armed forces for 12 years, NATO-6 employees, Broadcasters entering to work for the BBG.
$10000 Legal fee
$190 Government filing fee for Form I-360
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
EB-5 Investor/Employment Creation Visas
Congress has set aside up to 10,000 visas per year for foreign investors in new commercial enterprises who create employment for ten individuals. Simply put, fast track immigration opportunities exist for foreign nationals investing $1 million dollars (and in some cases only $5,000,000) in a newly established United States business. Benefits to foreign national to a foreign national who qualifies for a green card through investment include allowing the foreign national’s spouse and unmarried children under age 21 to also qualify for green cards as accompanying relatives. We manage all aspects of this process including corporate structure requirements and United States tax and immigration compliance.
$35,000 Legal fee for the government sponsored Regional Investment Centers visa ($500,000 investment).
$45,000 Legal fee for $1,000,000 investment as an Entrepreneur.
$480 Government filing fee for Form I-526
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
DV-1 Visas (the "Green Card Lottery")
55,000 visas are annually allotted in a random drawing to individuals from nations under represented in the total immigrant pool. The application form is free, however if selected, the applicant and his/her family members must then either apply for Adjustment of Status or Consular process. The fees for these Services are below
$1000 Legal fee for principal plus $500 per additional family member
If alien is in the U.S. and will be processing from the U.S.
$395 Government filing fee for Form I-485
$180 Government filing fee for Form I-765 (if in the U.S. and wants employment authorization--optional)
$170 Government filing fee for Travel Document (if in the U.S. and is eligible to travel internationally)
or If consular processing, the following fees apply
$380 Visa processing fees for Department of State application forms
$70 Affidavit of support fee
Finally, please note, as a litigator seasoned from over 300 plus trials, we also stand ready to assist clients in any court proceeding including deportation issues. The above quoted legal and government fees are estimates and are subject to change upon a complete case analysis.
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