Petitioning a relative can be a time consuming process, but it is also costly. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) filing ...
Cost of I-130 Family Immigration Petition: Lawyer and Filing Fees
When petitioning a relative to immigrate to the United States, there are a variety of costs to consider. The filing fee for the I-130 Family Immigration Petition is $535 and must be paid at the time of filing. Additionally, attorney fees for the I-130 Petition can range anywhere from $1000 to $6000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case. Further, there may be additional fees required for any supplementary forms that need to be completed. It may be more cost-effective to find an attorney who offers a flat fee for the I-130 Petition rather than paying an hourly rate. It is also important to note that if you are unable to pay the filing fee, you may be eligible for a fee waiver, but you must meet the required criteria in order to be approved.
Costs Associated with Filing an I-130 Petition
Filing an I-130 Petition for a relative can be a costly process, with the current filing fee at $535. However, this fee may increase depending on the number of individuals you wish to sponsor. Additionally, if you choose to hire an immigration attorney to assist with the petition, the cost can vary widely depending on the attorney’s experience and the complexity of the case.
When petitioning for a relative who is located outside of the United States, additional costs may be incurred such as travel expenses for the petition process. Therefore, before filing an I-130 Petition for a relative, it is important to consider all of the associated costs to ensure that you are prepared for the financial burden.
Filing Fees for USCIS Form I-130
When filing a relative's petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are certain fees that must be paid. The primary fee for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is $535, payable to USCIS. Additionally, an additional fee of $85 is required for biometrics services if the beneficiary is in the U.S. It is important to keep in mind that these fees are subject to change, so applicants should check with USCIS for the most up-to-date fee information.
Applicants may also be required to pay an additional $120 fee for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) if the beneficiary is applying for consular processing. Fees can be paid by check, money order, or credit card. If paying by check or money order, it should be made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. USCIS also allows applicants to pay the required fees online through its website.
It is important for applicants to be aware of all the fees associated with filing the petition and to budget accordingly. This will help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Additional Fees
The process of petitioning a relative to come to the United States can involve numerous costs. The first cost is the filing fee for the I-130 petition, which is $535. Depending on the situation, an affidavit of support fee of $120 may be required as well. Additionally, your family member may need to undergo a medical exam, in which case you may need to cover the associated fee.
It is also a good idea to work with an immigration attorney to help ensure that your relative's case is as strong as possible. This is likely to involve an additional fee. Depending on the situation, your family member may also need to travel to the consulate or embassy for an interview, and you may need to cover these travel expenses.
Finally, there may be other miscellaneous fees associated with the process, such as the cost of acquiring documents or getting fingerprinted. It is important to take all of these fees into account when planning for the petition process. Knowing the total cost beforehand can help you plan and budget accordingly.
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