What we are, and what we are not

We are not a law firm

Green Card Guide is not a law firm. We do not give legal advice, and nothing on this website, in the free evaluation or in Frank is legal advice.

Frank is AI software. It gives you information about where your record stands and helps you organize evidence. It does not decide whether you qualify. Only a licensed attorney can advise you on your case.

Who provides legal services

Legal services are provided by licensed attorneys at an independent partner law firm. If you choose to work with them, you sign a separate attorney-client agreement directly with that firm.

The partner firm makes its own legal decisions. Green Card Guide does not supervise, direct or share in the attorneys’ professional judgement.

USCIS explains who may represent you in immigration matters, including attorneys in good standing with a US state bar and accredited representatives. (USCIS, find legal services)

What “our attorneys” means

On this website, when we say “our attorneys” or “our partner attorneys”, or mark attorneys with an asterisk (*), we mean licensed attorneys at the independent partner firm. They are not employees of Green Card Guide.

No attorney-client relationship with Green Card Guide

Using this website, taking the free evaluation or using Frank does not create an attorney-client relationship with Green Card Guide. Any attorney-client relationship is with the partner firm, under that firm’s own written agreement.

Your messages to us are not privileged

What you share with Green Card Guide, including through Frank, is covered by our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It is not protected by attorney-client privilege.

Communications between you and the partner firm under your signed agreement are handled by that firm under its own professional duties. If you have a sensitive question about your case, ask the attorney directly.

How fees work

There are three kinds of costs, and they go to different places.

• Frank subscriptions (Starter, Pro and Concierge) are paid to Green Card Guide. The free evaluation costs nothing.
• Legal fees are billed separately under your agreement with the partner firm. Published legal fees are flat and quoted before you sign. There is no hourly billing.
• Government filing fees are paid to the government agency, such as USCIS or the Department of State. They are set by the government and can change. Check the current USCIS fee schedule.

Refund-backed terms

Some cases may be offered refund-backed terms. These are available only if the reviewing attorney approves them after assessing your case. You cannot request or buy them. If they apply to you, the terms are written into your agreement with the partner firm.

USCIS forms are free

You never have to pay for a blank government form. USCIS states that its forms and online accounts are always free. You can download them at uscis.gov/forms. What you pay the partner firm for is legal work, such as strategy, preparing the petition and responding to USCIS, not the forms.

No guaranteed outcomes

No one can guarantee that USCIS or the Department of State will approve a petition or visa. Not us, not the partner firm, not any attorney. Decisions are made by the government, and each case is decided on its own evidence.

Processing times are set by the government and change. We only quote official USCIS premium processing timeframes. For other times, check USCIS processing times.

Questions

If anything on this page is unclear, ask before you sign or pay. A partner-firm attorney can explain how the engagement works for your case.