Simply put, you need to hire a lawyer because statistically over 95% of the applicants with approved immigrant and non-immigrant petitions were represented by attorneys. Are you sure you want to take a chance on the major opportunity in your life by going unrepresented?

American legal system is not easy to understand, nor it is customer-friendly. Immigration process often involves communication with multiple agencies, application of various protocols, and interpretation of complex rules and regulations. It is also susceptible to political climate and economic developments like no other area of American jurisprudence. Going through this process without an expert guidance of an experienced lawyer may be not only intimidating and confusing, but also creates a higher risk of denial, lost application fees, and complications to the lawful status.

Unfortunately, professional legal services in the United States are not cheap. The ultimate cost of representation is calculated based on the type of the case, experience of the attorney, complexity of the issues involved, and many external factors that can only be assessed during the consultation.

The good news is that many immigration cases are done on so-called flat-rate basis, meaning that the attorney charges some fixed amount that does not change regardless of actual time spent on the case.

Please be careful in your approach to finding a qualified legal service provider. In the U.S., it is illegal to give legal advice or assist with immigration issues without obtaining proper licenses. In most cases, people who do not have license to practice law offer their services in violation of State and Federal regulations.

The exception to this rule is people who are not attorneys but who were authorized by Immigration Services or, in some cases, by State entities, as “form preparers.”  This people may assist you to fill out and submit immigration forms to proper authorities, but cannot give you any legal advice.

Remember:  wrong help can hurt your case!