Career Path

How Long Does It Take To Become An Immigration Lawyer?

Published on January 17, 2023

Immigration lawyers are attorneys who focus on the laws governing immigration and long-term international travel.

Their work can assist those requesting asylum, obtaining legal residency for those in the nation on work visas, or demonstrating the necessity of such permits on behalf of businesses.

Individuals who want to become immigration lawyers must be able to write and speak clearly and accurately.

They must intuitively understand how to research to support their claims and possess the necessary problem-solving skills to find solutions to any situation a client may face.

They should be approachable, professional, and able to connect with their clients, judges, and jurors when they are present.

Knowledge of languages other than English is highly recommended, especially for immigration attorneys, as immigrants may speak little or no English.

A functional knowledge of world history helps us understand why immigrants are trying to move to the United States.

Lawyers must be members of the bar association of the state where they practice law.

Bar association requirements vary, but most require a diploma, a background check demonstrating good moral character, and a Social Security number (or a waiver if you don’t have one).

Attorneys must be in good standing with the State Bar Association to continue their practice, including paying all required fees.

What is an Immigration Law School like?

It’s challenging and competitive to study law. You’ll be required to read at least 50 to 75 pages of in-depth case law daily to keep up with the demanding curriculum.

Professors use the Socratic technique in the classroom by cold-calling students and asking them to apply legal principles to made-up (and even absurd) sets of facts.

Law school courses differ from most undergraduate courses in that marks are often based on a single exam completed at the end of the semester.

Although law school can be scary, information is power. You’ll be better prepared for success in your first year and beyond if you comprehend the fundamentals of the law school experience.

Students can choose classes in the second and third years based on their interests.

Depending on the law school, the available courses may vary. Still, common choices include real estate, tax, intellectual property, evidence, trial advocacy, mergers and acquisitions, wills and estates, bankruptcy, and securities law.

To choose which practice area to pursue after law school, taking various classes is a good idea.

Before applying to law school, see if you can observe a class.

The benefit of this experience is that there is no performance pressure, so you can learn how law school classes are run.

Is Attending an Immigration Law school Worth it?

Yes, After passing the bar exam and being licensed to practice law, immigration lawyers must find and apply for admission to a law firm specializing in immigration law.

There are organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that new lawyers can join to connect with like-minded professionals.

Immigration law firms operate like many other law firms and may be small and serve local or disadvantaged clients, or they may be fairly large and seeking citizenship.

We may also handle cases of celebrities in business or companies that bring in many workers.

Immigration attorneys can also work for the federal government.

Attorneys must complete further training to continue their practice.

Continuing education requirements and renewal intervals can vary from state to state, so attorneys must consult with their state bar association regarding these requirements.

What Schooling do you need to be an Immigration Lawyer?

You must complete a four-year bachelor’s degree at an authorized college or university before you may enroll in law school.

Although a few US law schools occasionally allow applicants without a bachelor’s degree, this is more of an anomaly than the rule.

Any undergraduate subject is acceptable for a prospective immigration lawyer to major in because law schools welcome students from various educational backgrounds.

An aspiring immigration lawyer must pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and apply for admission to one of the 200 US law schools after earning a bachelor’s degree.

Although some offer postgraduate degrees focusing on certain areas of law, law schools do not offer specializations in various legal practice areas.

There is no official necessity for prospective immigration lawyers to take as many immigration-related courses as they can in law school; in fact, many US law schools do not offer even one course in immigration law.

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree requires three years of full-time study in the legal field.

A state bar test that covers almost all of the main legal topics is required for future attorneys.

There may not be a single immigration law-related question on the actual bar exam.

The pass percentage ranges from 44% (in California) to 79%. (Missouri). Most states offer the bar test twice a year, so the candidate can retake it if he fails.

To be granted a legal license, the applicant must also satisfy several additional criteria, such as assessing his moral character and fitness.

If the bar exam was passed successfully on the first attempt, graduates who get their diplomas in May are often granted licenses by December of the same year.

After receiving his license, the new attorney can lawfully practice in practically any area of law (patent law is a notable exception).

To keep his license to practice law, the attorney must complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE) each year.

How long does it take to become a licensed Immigration lawyer?

The same stages required to become a lawyer of any other kind must be followed to earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a 3-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree to practice immigration law.

Graduates must pass the bar exam to be granted a license to practice law after finishing the required immigration lawyer coursework.

If you go to school full-time, it takes about seven years and passing the bar exam to become a lawyer.

A bachelor’s degree, and she needs three years of law school. ABA-accredited law schools offer a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

Attendance at an ABA-accredited school is recommended for future job opportunities.

Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees are expensive. Most of the attorneys the Student Loan Planner® supports have six-figure student loan debt.

Paying off the student loan debt that lawyers take on should be one of your most important considerations when looking for a potential career. Payment methods can be selected.

Find out about grants, fellowships, or part-time jobs. This will reduce some of your debt but not all of it. Therefore, you should look into student loan forgiveness for lawyers to see if you qualify.

It’s perfectly possible to pay off student loan debt after law school, but you may need help knowing which route is best for you.

For this reason, our office offers debt counseling services. Learn about common student loan mistakes and how to use the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

Preschool counseling can help you apply to law school with confidence, not only about your prospects of becoming a lawyer but also about your student loan debt plans.

Ideally, the burden will be lifted off your shoulders so that you can focus on your degree rather than how to pay off your student loan debt.

How much does it cost to become a licensed Immigration Lawyer?

A law student should budget anywhere from $87,222 for an in-state public school to $153,804 for a private school over three years.

These figures can be debilitating, particularly if one transfers directly from undergrad to law school.

However, the BLS reports that as of 2020, the median annual compensation for lawyers is $126,930, with the top 10 percent earning more than $208,000.

There are numerous ways to pay for law school as well. Your mind and wallet can rest easier knowing that specialized loans, grants, scholarships, and cheap programs are available.

Knowing how much law school will cost you is the first step on a long career path.

Use the appropriate resources and accessible research to make informed decisions that will prepare you for the future.

Salary and Job Outlook for an Immigration Lawyer after Study

According to Payscale.com, the median compensation for immigration attorneys in 2019 was $67,331.

Payscale.com does note, however, that entry-level immigration attorneys typically earn $55,550 a year, with pay rising with experience.

The average yearly salary for those with 10 years of experience is $96,033.

Demand for legal services will continue as individuals, businesses, and governments require legal services in many areas.

Despite this need for legal services, intensifying price competition over the next decade may cause law firms to reconsider project staffing to reduce client costs.

Clients are expected to reduce legal costs by negotiating fees and reviewing invoices.

FAQs

In the United States, how long does it take to become an immigration lawyer?

After high school, it takes a prospective immigration lawyer seven years of full-time study to earn a Juris Doctor degree. He will also need a few more months to complete the bar exam and fulfill the standards of the regional bar organization.

Which major is ideal for an immigration lawyer?

Political science, history, philosophy, economics, social sciences, language studies, and business are typical undergraduate majors for law school. However, no particular major is required. Even professions like engineering or nursing can be used as “pre-law” majors.

Conclusion

Document review, paralegal, and paralegal may be assigned instead. Some of this routine legal work can be outsourced to providers of cheaper legal services abroad.

Law firms continue to be among the largest employers of lawyers, but many large companies are expanding their legal departments to keep costs down.

The federal government may continue to need attorneys to handle civil or criminal claims on behalf of the United States.

However, the demand for lawyers at all levels of government depends on available funding.