Marriage Green Card Lawyer Cost

I recently wrote an article on the USCIS Fee Increase, effective April 1, 2024. This article is intended for those who are hoping to file a marriage-based green card application package before the fee increase takes effect!

Flat Fee

I charge a flat fee of $3,500 to prepare a marriage-based green card application package.

Services Included

This flat fee includes the following services:

• Preparation and review of all required forms and supporting documents;
• Filing the application with the USCIS;
• Tracking the application with the USCIS;
• A 30-minute virtual mock interview with Clients up to 2 weeks before actual interview (if scheduled); and
• Representation at actual interview with USCIS in Massachusetts (or virtually, elsewhere).

Clients are responsible for the USCIS filing fees ($535 + $1,140), the biometric services fee ($85), as well as the cost of obtaining a sealed medical examination. The total cost is around $5,500.

** Note: The current USCIS filing fees of $1,760 for Forms I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131 are set to increase on April 1, 2024 to $3,005 – a 71% increase!! **

Payment Plans Available

I offer payment plans, whereby the attorney fee may be paid at the following intervals:

$875 – To begin process;

$875 – Prior to filing;

$875 – When USCIS begins processing; and

$875 – Before mock interview (or at time of decision).

Note: The final installment payment of $875 will not be waived if clients are not required to attend a green card interview.

Internal Processing Time

Generally, I can have an initial draft prepared within seven (7) business days after receiving all of the required information and documentation.

Note: I never begin the drafting process until I receive written confirmation that all of the required information and documentation has been provided. This prevents a significant amount of back-and-forth editing/updating and reduces the opportunity for error. 

USCIS Processing Time

The USCIS provides estimated case processing times on their website (here). 

The estimated processing times are calculated based on how long it took the USCIS to complete 80% of cases over the past 6 months.

Although the green card application (Form I-485) may be processed in the USCIS Field Office with jurisdiction over your ZIP code (here), the immigrant visa petition (Form I-130), application for employment authorization (Form I-765), and application for travel authorization (Form I-131), will be processed at the USCIS’ National Benefits Center.

To check the current USCIS processing times, visit the USCIS website (above), and select the following options from the dropdown menus:

Form: I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Form Category: U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21

Field Office: National Benefits Center

Form: I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Form Category: Family-based adjustment applications

Field Office: * Search by ZIP Code – See (here)

Form: I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Form Category: Based on pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)]

Field Office: National Benefits Center

Form: I-131, Application for Travel Document

Form Category: Advance Parole

Field Office: National Benefits Center

Note: The estimated processing times listed on the USCIS website are generally much longer than it actually takes.

Process Flow

The typical process flow for a marriage-based green card application is below:

• Intake (basic questions to confirm eligibility);
• Legal Services Agreement;
• Payment;
• Client Questionnaire and Document Request;
• Drafting;
• Client Review;
• Edits (if necessary);
• Shipment;
• Receipt Notices;
• Biometrics and/or Deficiency Notice*;
• EAD Approval*;
• Immigrant Visa Approval*;
• Request for Evidence (if any)*;
• Mock Interview (if necessary);
• Actual Interview (if any)*; and
• Decision*.

Note: The order and timeframe in which the USCIS initiates and completes the milestones identified above (with an asterisk) varies widely from case to case; with no particular rhyme or reason. 

Therefore, you may hear of friends or relatives who received their work permit, i.e., EAD approval, the same day that their biometrics were captured, while you wait 3+ months. Some cases receive immigrant visa approval before the green card approval, while others are approved simultaneously. 

Some cases receive an “I-693 Deficiency Notice” requesting a sealed medical, while others receive a similar request via a Request for Evidence (“RFE”). Lastly, some cases are required to attend an interview at a USCIS field office, while in other cases, the interview requirement is waived.

Working with Dayna

I am a firm believer of setting clear expectations at the beginning of the process and maintaining open communication throughout. I pride myself on the following set of core values: organization, efficiency, consistency, transparency, balance, and etiquette.

Communication Hours

My communication hours, a time reserved exclusively for client communication (emails, phone calls, and meetings) are from 1:00 – 2:30pm EST, Monday – Friday.

In an effort to maximize productivity and maintain a healthy work/life balance, I generally do not respond to emails or phone calls outside of the communication hours listed above, nor do I offer consultations (virtual or otherwise) outside of those hours. 

Preferred Form of Communication > Email

I communicate with clients predominantly through email and a client portal. This ensures that all communication is in writing and easy to reference.

To facilitate fast and efficient correspondence throughout this process, I ask that clients relay all questions/concerns to me in bulleted emails in the format below:

          Hello,

          Good afternoon! I have a few questions:

                     * Question

                     * Question 2

                     * Question 3

This format encourages clients to clearly articulate any and all questions or concerns. This format also enables me to provide direct, tailored responses. I normally respond to all questions within one (1) business day; generally, the same day (after 1:00pm EST).

Phone Calls

I do not answer unscheduled phone calls. I firmly believe that an effective phone call (or meeting) requires an agenda. Therefore, I limit phone calls from existing clients to an urgent (or scheduled) basis. Generally, calls must be scheduled 24 hours in advance and occur between 1:00 – 2:30pm EST, Monday – Friday. I do not accept walk-in appointments.

Vacations and Holidays

I plan annual vacations at least six (6) months in advance. These vacation days are updated in the signature panel of all emails sent by me. I do not draft, review, or ship any immigration paperwork when scheduled to be out of office. Further, my office is closed on all Federal and State (Massachusetts) holidays.

Mail Processing

I process all incoming and outgoing mail on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Clients must confirm shipment prior to 2:00pm EST for same-day shipment on Tuesday or Thursday. I use Priority Mail® 2-Day Delivery for packaging and shipping. Upon written requests from clients, I will use alternative or expedited shipping services. Clients are responsible for any and all additional costs.

USCIS Online Account

I highly recommend that clients create a USCIS online account (if/when possible). Creating a USCIS online account enables clients to obtain case status updates and access electronic copies of every notice issued by the USCIS in one, secure location. The electronic copies are generally available long before I receive the physical copies of the same correspondence. 

Ownership of Work Product

Upon signing a legal services agreement with me, clients agree that all information relating to their matter, including, but not limited to: email templates, document templates, discussion of the case, evaluation results, advice, strategy, and draft letters, are work product and the sole property of Lally Immigration Services, LLC at all times, even after the termination of representation. Disclosure of the mentioned information without my written consent may constitute breach of our agreement and may lead to termination of the representation and/or legal action to recover damages.

Marriage Immigration Lawyer

If you have questions about the marriage immigration process, contact marriage immigration lawyer, Dayna Lally, at [email protected]. Consultation fees may apply.

Disclaimer: This blog article is provided by Lally Immigration Services, LLC for informational and marketing purposes. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. No reader should act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of any information presented in this article, or elsewhere on this website, without seeking the advice of appropriate legal counsel, or other professional counsel, licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Lally Immigration Services, LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability with respect to any actions taken, or not taken, based on any content of this article or website. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Last Reviewed/Updated: 02/01/2024