Q: IS ASK ELLIS A LAW FIRM?
A: Ask Ellis is not a law firm. The information and services presented are not legal advice and do not substitute the advice, guidance or recommendation that a licensed immigration attorney can provide. Ask Ellis is a private company that provides immigration resources and connects users to immigration attorneys at the user’s direction. Ask Ellis is a registered trade name of BorderGab LLC.
Q: IS ASK ELLIS AFFILIATED OR ASSOCIATED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR BUREAU?
A: No. Ask Ellis is not affiliated with USCIS or any other government agency or website.
Q: HOW DO I FIND A LAWYER USING ASK ELLIS?
A: There are two ways to find an immigration lawyer on Ask Ellis. You can use the search feature to browse through lawyer profiles and connect with lawyers that meet your criteria. If browsing through lawyer profiles seems daunting, set up a free call with the Ask Ellis Concierge. The Concierge will answer any questions you have and provide guidance on using our platform.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO USE ASK ELLIS?
A: Ask Ellis is (and always will be) free for consumers to use. Most lawyers in our network offer 15 minute phone consults at no charge, but if a second, in-depth consult is required, consultation fees may apply. These vary from lawyer to lawyer, but typically start at $150. Many lawyers will apply the consultation fee towards legal fees if retained. If you choose to retain the lawyer you speak with, he/she will walk you through next steps and pricing. Ask Ellis does not set any legal fees, nor do we take any sort of commission from lawyers. Legal fees are determined individually by the lawyers in the network.
Q: IF ASK ELLIS DOESN’T CHARGE CONSUMERS, HOW DOES IT MAKE MONEY?
A: Ask Ellis earns revenue through subscription fees paid by attorneys to access its platform and marketing services.
Q: HOW MUCH WILL AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER COST ME?
A: There are two components to pricing – legal and filing fees. Filing fees are determined by the government and a list of fees/corresponding forms can be found here. Legal fees are set by the individual lawyer and vary by case type. For example, the legal fees for an H1B application typically run between $2,000 and $3,500 depending on the lawyer. The lawyers in our network operate within a tight range. We do not admit lawyers to the platform that charge beyond an acceptable range for their services. If you are on a tight budget, please share this with your Concierge. We have lawyers in the network that offer payment plans and we will do our best to balance your needs and budget.
Q: CAN I WORK WITH A LAWYER OUTSIDE OF THE STATE I LIVE IN?
A: Yes, absolutely. Immigration law is federal and you can work with any lawyer that is licensed by a U.S. state bar association (or possession, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia). It just doesn’t matter which state. The attorneys in our network are happy to work with clients remotely over email/Skype/Webex. Most business and family immigration cases do not require court appearances. However, if your case requires court hearings/interviews (such as removal proceedings), you may want a lawyer that is in close proximity. If you have a criminal conviction, you should work with a lawyer that is familiar with the state laws where the crime and conviction took place. Your Concierge can help determine the best fit for you.
Q: DOES ASK ELLIS WORK WITH IMMIGRATION LAWYERS OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.?
A: Yes. Ask Ellis partners with several immigration law firms in Canada and the United Kingdom. If you are looking for an immigration attorney outside of the U.S. please contact us directly at [email protected].
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY ATTORNEY?
Your satisfaction is important to us and the attorneys using our platform! If you do not have a positive experience with one of our attorneys, please send your formal complaint to [email protected].
Q: IS MY INFORMATION SAFE WITH ASK ELLIS?
A: Yes, your information is safe with Ask Ellis. Click here to learn more about our privacy and security policies … we’ve got you covered.