How does payment work for an immigration attorney in the EB-5 process?

Payment for an immigration attorney in an EB-5 case typically varies based on the complexity of the case and the agreement reached between you and the professional. There is no single standard model, so it is worth understanding the most common arrangements before hiring.

In general, attorney fees are structured in two main ways:

• Flat fee: a set amount agreed upon to cover specific stages or the case as a whole.
• Hourly billing: more common when the case requires ongoing monitoring or has demands that shift throughout the process.

It is common for a firm to request an initial deposit when formalizing the engagement (known as a retainer), which is used to cover the first services and preparatory work. In addition to attorney fees, the process may involve additional costs, such as government filing fees, document translation, and evaluations. These official amounts should always be confirmed with the relevant official sources.

The most important factor is transparency: ask your attorney to outline, during the initial consultation, which costs are expected and when they will be charged, and keep everything in a clear, written agreement.

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.