Q: I am from Syria and my wife is from the US, we want to move to the US, do we need to pay any high fees for that?

A: If your wife is a US citizen she can sponsor you for a green card and you can process at the foreign consulate where you reside. She will have to also file a financial affidavit establishing that she has enough income to support you, and if not sufficient she will need a joint financial sponsor. Discuss your case with counsel anywhere in the USA. There is no financial penalty if you marry outside the US.

A: The fees for filing a spousal Green Card are rising in December 2019. After December 23 2019, you must pay approximately $1200 to DHS (or USCIS), and you must also pay processing fees at your local consulate, usually about $425 per applicant. Fees can be higher to include children. To file an I-485 (what the government charges $1200 for), the attorneys' fee can range anywhere from about $1500 to $5000, depending on whether your case is very complicated or how much help you need. So yes, it is expensive but it is worth it to be secure and know that your case is done correctly and that there shouldn't be any problems. I ask my clients, "Is living in the US worth the price of a used car?" or tell them "Think about your increased earning power in the US, and how comparatively, this is a small investment for your family." A couple living and working just about anywhere in the US will make more than this amount together in one month. If you think of it that way, you really see the value for what you are getting.