How much is this actually going to cost, including government fees?

Illustrative — not a real business

There are two entirely separate costs here, and we always present them separately rather than as one bundled number: our attorney fee for handling your case, and the government filing fees paid directly to USCIS or the State Department, which we do not keep any portion of. For most common case types — a marriage-based green card application, a work visa petition — we charge a flat fee agreed upon before we begin, which we will detail in writing along with exactly what it includes, such as document preparation, all standard forms, and representation at any required interview; anything outside that scope, like handling an unexpected request for additional evidence beyond routine follow-up, is discussed and agreed to separately rather than silently added to your bill. More complex or contested cases, such as litigation or an appeal, may be billed hourly instead, and we will tell you clearly which applies to your case type before you commit to anything. Government filing fees change periodically, so rather than quote you a number that might be outdated by the time you file, we confirm the current fee schedule at the point of actually filing your case. Given that total cost, including both fees, can be a genuine financial strain, we offer a payment plan for our attorney fee in many cases — ask about this directly in your consultation.