How can you tell if the attorney fees for your EB-2 NIW case were money well spent?

It helps to start with a point that avoids a common misconception: in the EB-2 NIW, attorney fees are not evidence in your case. USCIS evaluates the merit and national importance of your work, not how much or how you paid your lawyer. That is a matter between you and the professional, and it is not part of the petition.

That said, keeping a close eye on the service you hired is both legitimate and advisable, as a matter of transparency and accountability. A few things that tend to help:

• A clear engagement letter or service contract that spells out the scope of work.
• Itemized receipts and invoices detailing each stage billed.
• Regular status updates on the progress of your case and the next steps ahead.

Meetings and progress reports help you understand what is being done and address any questions along the way. These gauge the quality of the service, not the outcome of the petition.

Be cautious of anyone who promises a guaranteed approval. To assess fees and scope, have an open conversation with your attorney and check the official guidance available from USCIS.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.