The cost of an immigration lawyer in Dallas depends on three things: what kind of case it is, how complicated your facts are, and how the firm bills — hourly, or as a flat fee for the whole matter. A straightforward family petition costs far less than a contested removal case, and the same case costs more when there is an old arrest, a prior denial, or a deadline already missed. Government filing fees are charged separately by USCIS and the courts, and they change. Atlas Immigration Law quotes a flat fee for most matters at the end of a free 20-minute consultation, so the full attorney cost is known before you decide; this guide explains what sits behind that number and how to compare it with other quotes.
Key takeaways
Fees track case type and complexity, not the form number. Flat fees cover the whole matter for one agreed amount; hourly billing is open-ended. USCIS and court filing fees are separate and set by the government. A quote that is much lower than the others usually excludes something — ask what.
What drives the fee
Immigration matters range from a single form to years of litigation, and fees follow that range. Roughly in order of the work involved:
- Single applications with clean facts — a naturalization application for a long-time resident with no complications, a green card renewal, a work permit. Limited document gathering, one form, one interview at most.
- Family petitions and green cards — an I-130 petition plus adjustment of status or consular processing, with the affidavit of support, medical exam, and interview preparation. More documents, more moving parts, and a process that runs a year or longer.
- Employment cases — H-1B, L-1, O-1, and PERM matters involve the employer as well as the employee, wage determinations, recruitment records, and detailed evidence of qualifications. Fees are usually paid by the employer.
- Waivers, and cases with a problem in the history — a prior entry without inspection, a criminal record, a previous denial, or unlawful presence. These require a waiver or a legal argument on top of the underlying application, and the fee reflects the added work.
- Removal defense — representation in immigration court: bond hearings, asylum or cancellation of removal at a merits hearing, appeals. The most work, the highest stakes, and the widest fee range.
Within any category, what raises the fee is complexity: multiple family members, evidence that must be obtained from abroad, a record that needs explaining, or a timeline that requires expedited work. What lowers it is preparation — a client who arrives with organized documents and a clear history makes the case cheaper to run.
Flat fees versus hourly billing
| Flat fee | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay | One agreed amount for the defined matter, often in stages tied to filing milestones. | The lawyer’s hourly rate multiplied by time spent, billed as the work happens. |
| What you know up front | The full attorney cost, before you commit. | The rate — not the total. |
| Who carries the risk of a long case | The firm. | The client. |
| What to check | Exactly what the matter includes — for example, whether a request for evidence or the interview is covered. | Estimated hours, and how often you will be billed. |
| Best suited to | Defined applications and petitions, which is most immigration work. | Open-ended litigation or advisory work where the scope cannot be fixed. |
Most immigration work has a defined scope — a petition, an application, a hearing — which is why flat fees have become standard and why we use them. Our guide to how flat fees actually work goes through what a flat-fee agreement should spell out.
Wondering where your case fits in these timelines?
Request a free consultation and get a straight answer on your category, your realistic timeline, and the flat fee — before you commit to anything.
What the government charges on top
Attorney fees and filing fees are different things. USCIS charges a fee for most forms, the State Department charges for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, and some processes add biometrics, medical exams, and translations. These are set by the government, paid to the government, and are not part of the lawyer’s fee. USCIS publishes the current amounts on each form’s page at uscis.gov/forms and adjusts them periodically; a quote from any firm should list them separately so you can see the total cost of the case. Fee waivers and reduced fees exist for some applicants and some forms, and a lawyer should tell you when you qualify.
How to compare quotes from different firms
- Compare the scope, not the number. Does the fee include responding to a request for evidence? Preparing you for the interview and attending it? Filing the work permit and travel document with the green card application? Two quotes for "adjustment of status" can cover very different amounts of work.
- Ask who does the work. A quote from a firm where a paralegal prepares the case and an attorney signs it is a different product from one where you work with the attorney throughout.
- Ask what happens if the case takes longer. With a true flat fee, nothing. With a "flat fee" that has hourly exceptions, read the exceptions.
- Ask about the payment schedule. Staged payments tied to milestones are normal; a full payment before any work is done deserves a question.
- Be suspicious of the lowest quote. Immigration cases are won on evidence and preparation. A fee that does not leave room for either is not a bargain.
How Atlas Immigration Law prices a case
We give a flat-fee quote at the end of the free 20-minute consultation, once we understand the case. The quote states what is included, lists the government fees separately, and sets a payment schedule tied to the work. You work directly with your attorney, and the Atlas Vision portal shows every filing and deadline. If your facts change the scope — a request for evidence that was not foreseeable, a second family member added — we tell you before the work is done, not after. Start with the consultation through our contact page or by calling (945) 219-5599.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t you publish a price list?
Because the same form can be a simple case or a hard one. We quote after a short consultation so the fee reflects your facts, and we quote it as a flat amount you can compare with other firms.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes — 20 minutes, by phone or video, with no obligation. It is enough to tell you whether you have a case, which route fits, and what the flat fee would be.
Are government filing fees included in the attorney fee?
No. USCIS and consular fees are set by the government and paid separately. Our quote lists them so you can see the full cost of the case.
Do you offer payment plans?
Flat fees are normally paid in stages tied to milestones in the case. We discuss the schedule at the consultation.
Does an employer pay for work visa cases?
For most employment petitions the employer is the petitioner and pays the legal and filing fees; some fees, such as certain H-1B costs, must by law be paid by the employer.
What if my case needs more work than expected?
A flat fee covers the matter as defined in the agreement. If something outside that scope arises, we explain it and agree on any change before doing the work.
This guide is part of our Dallas immigration lawyer services — the service page covers eligibility, fees, and how we handle these cases.
Founder & Managing Attorney, Atlas Immigration Law
Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Dallas Bar Association. Licensed to practice in Texas; fluent in English and Spanish.
Legally reviewed by a licensed immigration attorney
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This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law and procedures change, and how they apply depends on your specific facts — consult a licensed immigration attorney about your situation.