5 Tips to Choosing an Immigration Lawyer

If you are looking to emigrate to the USA you need a capable immigration lawyer, one that knows the law inside out and who will be able to help you with all your questions. There are certain things you should consider when choosing an immigration lawyer – make sure they are experts in this field is the first and most pertinent point – so here are our 5 tips on how to choose an immigration lawyer who will help you be successful in your move.

Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest

It’s tempting to talk to a few immigration lawyers and choose the one who offers you the cheapest rate. This isn’t the way to go. That lawyer may be the best choice, but until you have checked out prior experience and success rates, and got an idea of their reputation not just as a lawyer but as an immigration lawyer, you’re not ready to make that choice. After all, this is one of the most important factors in your life, so you want someone who will work hard for you.

Get a Referral

If you know of someone who has gained their green card, or you know of someone who knows of someone – if you get what we mean – then talk to them. Even in the age of digital communication, and where we have everything at our fingertips, word of mouth can be the best way of finding an immigration lawyer with the right credentials. Ask your friends to ask their friends, and you’ll find someone who has been through the process.

Now Get References

So you’ve got a referral; now is the time to talk to the lawyer and ask for references. There should be no hesitation in he or she putting you on to former clients that they have dealt with, and they should be more than happy to be open and honest about their successes and failures. Don’t move forward until you have references in your hand, and have read them carefully.

Now Talk Money

If you are satisfied with the references, have talked to the lawyer concerned and believe they will be able to do the job for you, it’s time to talk about rates. The lawyer will likely have a set rate; the norm is that they will have a cost per hour, but you might want to try and get a set fee for the procedure. Try and pin them down to either a maximum cost, or maximum hours, to keep your expenses down.

Build a Relationship

Once you have a good lawyer, one you trust and get on with in business matters, you need to keep them on your side. You will need them for further legal processes – for example, becoming a US citizen – and having the same person throughout is a bonus, so nurture your relationship as best you can.

That’s a few of the major points you need to think about, so start by asking around your friends and family, and take it from there.