A consultation with an immigration lawyer is usually short, so preparation makes a big difference. If you bring the right documents, a clear timeline and your questions, the attorney can spend the time on your options instead of on gathering basic facts. This guide covers what to bring, what you can safely tell a lawyer, what happens during the meeting and what it costs.
Before the Consultation: Quick Checklist
- Write down your goal in one or two sentences (for example, “I want a green card through my U.S. citizen wife”).
- Write a short timeline of your immigration history: every entry to and exit from the U.S., visas held, and any applications filed.
- Gather your documents (see the list below) and scan them into one folder if you are meeting online.
- Note any arrests, charges or convictions, in any country, even if they were dismissed.
- List your questions, most important first.
- If you need an interpreter, arrange one in advance or ask the firm whether one is available.
What Documents to Bring
Bring copies, not originals, unless the firm asks for them. Most people should bring:
- Identity documents: passport (including old passports with U.S. visas and entry stamps), birth certificate and national ID.
- Immigration status documents: visas, I-94 record, green card, work permit (EAD) and any travel documents.
- Everything from USCIS, the immigration court or a consulate: receipt notices, approval or denial notices, Requests for Evidence, interview notices and copies of applications you filed.
Then add the documents for your type of case:
| Type of case | Also bring |
|---|---|
| Family-based green card | Marriage certificate, divorce decrees from prior marriages, children’s birth certificates, your relative’s proof of U.S. citizenship or green card |
| Employment-based visa or green card | Résumé, degree certificates and transcripts, job offer letter, recent pay stubs |
| Citizenship (naturalization) | Green card, list of trips outside the U.S. with dates, tax returns |
| Deportation or immigration court | Notice to Appear, hearing notices, any immigration judge orders, bond paperwork |
| Any case with an arrest or conviction | Police reports, court dispositions and sentencing records for every arrest |
What You Can Share With an Immigration Lawyer
You should share everything, including information you are worried about, such as being in the U.S. without status, a past overstay, a prior deportation or a criminal record. What you tell an attorney for the purpose of getting legal advice is protected by attorney-client confidentiality, even in a consultation before you hire the firm. Immigration lawyers work for their clients, not for the government, and do not report clients to immigration authorities.
Leaving out facts is one of the most common reasons people receive bad advice. A problem the lawyer knows about can often be managed; a problem that USCIS or the court discovers later can lead to a denial, or a finding of misrepresentation that is far harder to fix.
Questions to Ask During the Consultation
- What options do I have, and which do you recommend?
- Am I eligible now, or do I need to wait for anything?
- What are the risks in my case, and could applying put me at risk of deportation?
- How long will the process take?
- What will it cost in legal fees and government filing fees?
- What should I avoid doing while the case is pending, such as traveling abroad?
For questions about the lawyer’s experience and how they work, see our list of essential questions to ask an immigration attorney.
What Happens During the Consultation
The attorney will ask about your immigration history, family, work and any criminal history, review your documents and explain the options that may apply to you. A consultation is about understanding your options; the actual work of preparing and filing applications begins after you decide to hire the firm and sign an engagement agreement. Take notes, or ask whether you can bring a family member to help.
Do Immigration Lawyers Charge for a Consultation?
Many do. A paid consultation usually means you receive actual legal advice about your case rather than a sales call. At BCA Law Firm, a consultation is a 30-minute appointment for $175, and online consultations are available, so you can meet with an attorney from anywhere. For the cost of hiring a lawyer for the full case, see how much it costs to hire an immigration lawyer.
Make sure the person you consult is a licensed attorney. “Notarios” and immigration consultants are not allowed to give legal advice, and mistakes they make can permanently damage a case. Read more about the difference between an immigration lawyer and an immigration consultant.
Book a Consultation With BCA Law Firm
BCA Law Firm handles family, employment, citizenship and deportation defense cases for clients in Georgia and across the U.S. Book a consultation online, call us at 678-292-6111 or contact us.
