Immigration Cost in Seattle (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Seattle, immigration-related costs usually combine government filing fees with legal fees. Verified federal filing fees commonly run from $260 for an online replacement green card application up to $1,440 for naturalisation, while Seattle-area legal fees are often estimated at about $150-$400 per hour or roughly $1,000-$5,000+ for common case types, depending on complexity.
Overview
In Seattle, the cost of immigration help typically depends on whether you only need to pay United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) filing fees or you also hire an immigration lawyer or accredited representative. Government fees are standard nationwide, so a Seattle applicant generally pays the same USCIS filing fee as someone elsewhere in the US. For example, verified USCIS fees include $470-$415 for Form I-765 work authorisation depending on filing method, $1,440 for Form N-400 naturalisation, $1,525 for Form I-485 adjustment of status, and $675-$625 for Form I-90 green card replacement depending on filing method. Some applicants may also face Department of State visa fees, biometrics where applicable, medical exam costs, translation costs, or mailing costs. If you use a Seattle immigration lawyer, pricing usually depends on whether the work is billed hourly or as a flat package. Straightforward matters such as naturalisation, green card renewal, or work authorisation are often handled on a fixed-fee basis, while complex deportation defence, waivers, appeals, or business immigration may be billed hourly. Seattle is a relatively high-cost legal market, so professional fees can be higher than the US average. Consumers should ask for a written engagement letter showing legal fees, filing fees, and third-party costs separately. For regulation and professional standards, Washington lawyers are regulated through the Washington State Bar Association, while federal immigration forms and filing fees come from USCIS.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| USCIS naturalisation filing fee (Form N-400)(per application) USCIS lists the filing fee for Form N-400. Verified from source | $1,440 – $1,440 | Verified from source |
| USCIS adjustment of status filing fee (Form I-485)(per application) USCIS lists the filing fee for Form I-485. Verified from source | $1,525 – $1,525 | Verified from source |
| USCIS employment authorisation filing fee (Form I-765)(per application) USCIS lists $470 for paper filing and $415 for online filing where eligible. Verified from source | $415 – $470 | Verified from source |
| USCIS green card replacement filing fee (Form I-90)(per application) USCIS lists $675 for paper filing and $625 for online filing where eligible. Verified from source | $625 – $675 | Verified from source |
| Seattle immigration lawyer hourly rate(per hour) Estimated range based on typical market rates for immigration legal services in major US cities and Seattle's relatively high legal-service costs. Estimated range | ~$150 – $400 | Estimated range |
| Seattle flat-fee legal help for a common immigration matter(per case) Estimated range based on typical market rates for straightforward immigration cases such as naturalisation, work authorisation, or simpler family-based filings; complex cases can exceed this range. Estimated range | ~$1,000 – $5,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Government filing fees may include only the USCIS application charge, not legal advice
- Legal packages may include form preparation, document review, filing strategy, and interview preparation
- Third-party costs often sit outside legal fees
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Washington State Bar Association
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Simple application preparation may take a few hours of professional time; overall case timelines depend mainly on federal processing times rather than Seattle location.
How Fees Work
Usually a combination of federal filing fees plus either an hourly legal rate or a flat case fee. Court, medical, translation, and mailing costs are often billed separately.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether you only pay USCIS filing fees or also hire a lawyer
- Case type, such as naturalisation, work authorisation, adjustment of status, waiver, or removal defence
- Whether the matter is straightforward or involves prior refusals, criminal history, deadlines, or court proceedings
- Filing method and eligibility for online filing, fee waivers, or reduced fees
- Extra costs such as medical exams, translations, passport photos, courier fees, and document gathering
Local Context
Seattle is a comparatively expensive professional-services market, so legal fees may sit above national averages even though federal immigration filing fees are the same nationwide. Tipping is not part of legal-fee pricing. Washington sales tax does not normally change USCIS filing fees, but clients should confirm whether any ancillary service is taxable and whether quoted legal fees exclude filing charges and third-party expenses.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in US dollars. Federal filing fees are set nationally by USCIS; Seattle variation mainly affects professional fees and related local service costs.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- USCIS Form N-400 · government
Naturalisation filing fee for Form N-400.
- USCIS Form I-485 · government
Adjustment of status filing fee for Form I-485.
- USCIS Form I-765 · government
Employment authorisation filing fee with paper and online amounts.
- USCIS Form I-90 · government
Green card replacement filing fee with paper and online amounts.
- Washington State Bar Association · official
Regulatory body for lawyers in Washington State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Seattle?+
A reasonable estimate is about $150-$400 per hour for immigration legal work in Seattle, with many routine matters offered as flat-fee packages instead. Complex litigation, appeals, or business immigration can cost more.
Are immigration filing fees the same in Seattle as elsewhere in the US?+
Yes. USCIS filing fees are federal, so Seattle applicants generally pay the same government fee as applicants in other states.
What is the cheapest way to handle an immigration application?+
The lowest-cost route is usually self-filing and paying only the government fee, if your case is straightforward and you understand the form requirements. Some applicants may also qualify for a fee waiver or reduced fee through USCIS.
What extra costs should I budget for besides the lawyer and USCIS fee?+
Common extras include the immigration medical exam when required, certified translations, passport photos, postage or courier charges, and document retrieval costs. These can add noticeably to the total bill.
Do Seattle immigration lawyers usually charge a consultation fee?+
Many do, but the amount varies widely and public pricing is often not posted. Ask in advance whether the consultation is free, fixed-fee, or credited towards later work.
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Check current prices at the official source
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
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