You can go through the immigration process all by yourself, right? In some cases, this may be true. If you are knowledgeable in law, have experience with English language, and have the time to study, you can sometimes do without an immigration lawyer.

The problem is you’ll have stacks of papers to fill out, you’ll eventually deal with legal professionals and if you make a mistake it might slow the process,  and by the end of the process you’ll have lost a lot of time you could have spent elsewhere. For students, business men and women, and those who have poor English skills, hiring an immigration lawyer is smart and worthwhile.

How much does an immigration lawyer cost? The best way to find out is to contact several professional immigration lawyers and ask basic rates. For the time involved and the benefits you get, it’s more than worth it.

So how do you hire an immigration lawyer? Let’s find out.

Get References From Your Immigration Lawyer
Before you start contacting immigration lawyers, you should ask family, friends, and colleagues what they suggest. If someone successfully immigrated to the U.S. and received a green card, or if they became a U.S. citizen, their immigration lawyer should be on your list. Also, if you’re proficient online–likely if you’re reading this–many top immigration lawyers have sites and blogs showcasing how they can help you.

Study American Immigration Lawyers Association to Hire a Lawyer
This association, the AILA, of professional immigration lawyers and attorneys can truly help you narrow down your list to the most experience. Some immigration lawyers are not a member of this association, but that does not always mean they’re poor lawyers. If you were recommended an immigration lawyer by a friend or found one online with a lot of success in helping immigrants, they should still be on your shortlist.

Interview Prospective Immigration Lawyers
The next step after recommendation and studying top sites and associations is to create a short list. This list helps narrow down the immigration lawyers and attorneys who you feel are good fits. You want a lawyer who can help you directly with your main goal. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for U.S. citizenship, or if you want a green card, you can hire one who specializes in those cases. If you or a loved one does not speak English, you might hire a lawyer with other language skills.

How Much Do They Charge?
Immigration law is a specialized industry with a lot of competition for your business. Be picky in hiring a lawyer of any kind no matter what country you are in. If you want to immigrate to the U.S., follow the above steps, and then start asking prices. Some lawyers will likely be out of your price range immediately. Just remember how valuable this process can be.

Hiring an Immigration Lawyer – The Final Step
If you have a “winner” for your immigration lawyer, be sure to check their credentials. You can check the background of any immigration lawyer at the local state bar.