Immigration consultants help individuals, families, and employers with the paperwork side of US immigration: preparing forms, organizing supporting evidence, tracking deadlines, and explaining the process. Many work solo or in small offices serving a specific community. They bill for form preparation, consultations, document work, and sometimes translation or courier costs. Consultants who are not attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives generally cannot give legal advice or represent clients before USCIS or immigration court, so invoices should describe the work as what it is.
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Most consultants charge a flat fee per form or case type, because clients want to know the total before they commit. Common flat-fee units are per form (N-400, I-90, I-765), per package (a family-based petition with I-130 and I-485 together), or per renewal. Hourly billing is used for consultations, document reviews, and work that is hard to scope, such as responding to a Request for Evidence. Government filing fees are billed separately at cost and are not part of your service fee. Translations, certified mail, and courier charges are typically passed through, sometimes with a small handling charge. Some consultants offer payment plans for larger packages, with the work released in stages. Fees vary by city, language services offered, and how complex the case is.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | per hour | $50-150 |
| Naturalization (N-400) preparation | flat fee | $150-400 |
| Green card renewal or replacement (I-90) preparation | flat fee | $100-250 |
| Family petition package (I-130 with supporting forms) | flat fee | $300-800 |
| Adjustment of status package (I-485, I-765, I-131) | flat fee | $500-1,500 |
| Work permit (I-765) or DACA renewal preparation | flat fee | $100-300 |
| Document review and Request for Evidence support | per hour | $75-175 |
| Certified translation (birth, marriage certificates) | per page | $20-40 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation, eligibility screening for naturalization | 1 hour | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Form N-400 preparation (flat fee) | 1 flat fee | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Supporting document review and organization | 2 hour | $85.00 | $170.00 |
| Certified translation of marriage certificate and divorce decree | 3 page | $25.00 | $75.00 |
| USCIS filing fee for Form N-400 (paid-through at cost, verify current fee) | 1 fee | $760.00 | $760.00 |
| Certified mail with tracking | 1 shipment | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Total | $1,392.00 | ||
Notes: Service fees cover form preparation and document organization only. This office does not provide legal advice or legal representation. The USCIS filing fee is a government fee, listed at cost, and is not refundable by this office. Payment due within 7 days of invoice date. Deposit of $200 previously received will be applied.
Many states regulate how non-attorney consultants describe their work, and a vague description can look like unauthorized practice of law.
Clients need to see that USCIS fees are not your income, and it prevents disputes if a fee changes or an application is rejected.
It ties each charge to a specific filing and makes it easy to match the invoice to your contract.
Family members and sponsors often pay for the applicant, and your records should show who is responsible for the bill.
These are real pass-through costs. Itemizing them avoids questions about your service fee.
Some states require a written contract for immigration services, so referencing it and the deposit shows the invoice follows the agreed terms.
Some states, such as California, require immigration consultants to register or post a bond and to display certain notices on documents. Check your local rules.
A deposit of 25 to 50 percent at signing is common, with the balance due on delivery of the completed forms or before you submit anything. Many consultants refuse to release prepared forms until paid in full, since clients can file on their own once they have them. Payment plans are common for larger packages and should be written down, with each installment tied to a stage of work. Due dates of 7 days or due on receipt are typical for small flat-fee jobs. Accepted payments include checks, money orders, cards, and bank transfer. Government fees paid to USCIS usually come from the client directly by check, money order, or online card payment, so be clear about who pays them. Late fees are uncommon, but if you charge one, state it in the contract and check whether your state limits it.
List USCIS and other agency fees as separate pass-through lines. If you collect them on the client's behalf, record them separately from your service fees so your income, and your books at tax time, are accurate.
Many states require one for immigration services, and it protects you either way. Spell out the services, the fee, what is not included (such as RFE responses or interview preparation), and what happens if the application is denied.
A flat fee for the original filing should not cover a Request for Evidence, a Notice of Intent to Deny, or a re-file. Bill these hourly or as a stated add-on, and say so in the contract.
Take a deposit at intake, a second payment when forms are drafted, and the balance before the client signs the final packet. This reduces the risk of unpaid work, since the client can take the forms elsewhere.
Clients often pay in cash or money orders. A dated receipt that names the service protects both sides if the client or a regulator later asks what was paid and for what.
If you collect them from the client, yes, as a separate line at cost, labeled as a government fee. If the client pays USCIS directly, leave them off the invoice but note in the contract that the fee is their responsibility. Check current fees on the USCIS website, since they change.
Yes, and flat fees are the norm for standard forms like the N-400 or I-90. Define exactly what is included, and bill extra work such as RFE responses or interview prep separately.
Say in your contract what happens to your fee. Many consultants keep the service fee for work already done but fix and re-file rejected paperwork at no or reduced cost when the error was theirs. The government fee refund depends on USCIS, not you.
Not unless you are an attorney. Non-attorney consultants should describe charges as preparation, translation, or administrative services. Rules differ by state, so check your state's requirements for immigration consultants or document preparers.
It depends on your state and on whether services are taxable there. Most states do not tax professional services, but some tax certain services or resold items like translations. Check with your state revenue department or a tax professional.
Send a Immigration Consultant estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Immigration Consultant estimate template