Immigration costs are probably the most challenging part of the visa application process for a large majority of individuals and families applying for some form of U.S. visa. The processing and application fees are always on the increase and they are often non- refundable whatever the results of the application.

There is almost always an adjustment of immigration costs and fees every year. This is mostly due to inflation and response to increasing demand for U.S. visas. Sadly, only a few applications are granted out of the majority each year. The unsuccessful applicants end up losing their hard earned money since the immigration costs are mostly tagged as Non-refundable.  For many of these applicants earning these immigration costs were the result of many years of diligent saving in the hopes of funding a dream. Unfortunately many more dreams die than are made in this case.

Many of the individuals and families who apply for a visa live below the economic standards of the average U.S citizen and do not find it easy paying non refundable immigration costs and processing fees running into hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars.

For individuals who have more access to funds immigration costs would include funds to hire an immigration attorney. A lot of applicants cannot afford these legal fees themselves so immigration attorneys are most often associated with employment based immigration applications. The employer initially bears the immigration costs but it might be obtained from the immigrant later through other means in the case of the application being successful.

Because of the expense and paperwork involved in hiring an immigration attorney, only larger businesses can afford to spend the resources involved. Smaller enterprises usually stay clear of the employment based immigration processing as they are often unable to afford the salaries of the employee involved.

The bigger enterprises don’t have it all their way either in the employment based immigration process. The allocation for immigrant workers is limited to a certain number every year and all applications cannot be granted. Only a few will be granted and companies often end up losing money on unsuccessful immigrant visa applications; hence their reluctance to be involved in this kind of processing.
A total estimate of immigration costs for an employer based immigration application could be up to $6000 for a single employee; a huge risk with the present economic downturn. This financial burden will have to be eventually borne by the immigrant if the application is successful.

There are a few cost cutting measures that could be taken to reduce immigration costs. It is not compulsory to hire an attorney and many potential migrants on a low budget could go ahead to apply for a visa without one. The expertise an immigration attorney would have in making sure the application is well packaged is invaluable; but the input is no guarantee of a successful application.

An alternative to the extra immigration costs of an immigration attorney would be to just conduct a lot of research on the internet from websites of relevant agencies like the U.S citizenship and immigration services and immigration and naturalization services. It would also be a good idea to invest in a comprehensive immigration book, many of which are available on the internet or in local bookstores.