How much does a self-petition under VAWA cost?

You will need to talk to an experienced US immigration attorney to know what is the total fee for a VAWA application. VAWA is the acronym for Violence Against Women Act.

Under VAWA any alien spouse of a US citizen or green card holder subject to abuse by the US citizen or green card holder spouse can petition for a green card without requiring any immigration sponsor. The abused spouse’s immigration petition will be independent of the US citizen or green card holder spouse.

There is no official fee for a VAWA immigration petition. The only cost you will be required to pay is the attorney fee. There is no way of fixing a cap on the attorney fee. The attorney fee for a VAWA petition will depend on many factors including your circumstances and your location. Most attorneys will charge you a fixed fee for filing a VAWA petition but some do charge hourly rates. An attorney working out of Manhattan in New York City is likely to charge you a higher fee than an attorney working out of Springfield, IL. Another important aspect of the attorney fee is the services the attorney will be providing you. While some attorneys will only assist you fill up the forms and file the petition, many attorneys will also be willing to accompany you to the interview and assist you prepare for the interview. The attorney will also assist you collect the documentary evidence that must accompany your VAWA petition.

While it may seem cost effective to self file a VAWA petition, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced US immigration attorney. US immigration petitions are subject to strict scrutiny and even a minor error in the petition can result in rejection.