North Carolina’s dynamic economy, fueled by the Research Triangle Park, Charlotte’s banking sector, and world-class universities, makes it a prime destination for global talent and families. Successfully navigating the immigration process in the Tar Heel State requires expert legal counsel. We’ve identified the 10 best immigration law firms in North Carolina, selected for their specialized expertise, outstanding reputations, and proven commitment to their clients.

1. Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm

Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm is one of the largest and most respected practices in the Southeast dedicated exclusively to business immigration law. From their Charlotte headquarters, they serve a prestigious roster of clients, including Fortune 100 companies, universities, and healthcare systems, providing sophisticated and compliant immigration solutions.

The firm’s large team of attorneys, many of whom are Board Certified Specialists in Immigration Law, allows them to handle high-volume, complex corporate immigration needs with remarkable efficiency. They excel at managing PERM, H-1B, and L-1 visa programs, as well as ensuring flawless I-9 and E-Verify compliance. Their proactive, client-focused approach makes them a trusted partner for businesses.

Why Choose This Firm?

For large corporations, universities, or healthcare systems that require a robust, reliable, and highly efficient immigration partner, Garfinkel Immigration is the gold standard in North Carolina. They offer unparalleled resources and expertise in corporate immigration.

At a Glance:

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Specialty: High-Volume Corporate Immigration and Compliance.
• Ideal For: Large corporations, universities, and healthcare systems.
• Google Rating:8 Stars (100+ reviews)

2. Bashyam Shah LLP

Bashyam Shah is a premier, full-service immigration law firm in Raleigh with a stellar reputation for handling both business and family immigration matters with expertise and care. They serve a diverse clientele, from multinational corporations in the Research Triangle Park to families seeking to build their lives in North Carolina.

The firm’s partners are Board Certified Specialists in Immigration Law, the highest level of certification available in the state. This expertise is evident in their strategic handling of H-1B visas, PERM labor certifications, marriage-based green cards, and complex naturalization cases. Clients consistently praise their professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to achieve positive outcomes.

Why Choose This Firm?

If you are seeking a highly respected, mid-sized firm that offers certified expertise across both business and family immigration, Bashyam Shah is an exceptional choice. They provide the best of both worlds: corporate sophistication and personalized family law service.

At a Glance:

• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Specialty: Board-Certified expertise in Business and Family Immigration.
• Ideal For: Businesses in the Research Triangle and families seeking expert counsel.
• Google Rating:8 Stars (250+ reviews)

3. Fay & Grafton

Fay & Grafton is a leading North Carolina firm with a powerful and much-needed specialization in “crimmigration”—the complex intersection of criminal defense and immigration law. With offices in Raleigh and Asheville, they provide critical legal defense for non-citizens facing criminal charges.

The firm’s team includes Board Certified Specialists in both Immigration Law and Criminal Law, a rare and incredibly valuable combination. They understand precisely how a criminal plea can impact a person’s immigration status and fight to protect their clients’ futures on both fronts. They are also highly skilled in removal defense in the Charlotte Immigration Court.

Why Choose This Firm?

For any non-citizen facing criminal charges, the dual expertise of Fay & Grafton is essential. They provide the integrated, strategic defense needed to navigate the high-stakes consequences of a criminal case on one’s immigration status.

At a Glance:

• Location: Raleigh & Asheville, NC
• Specialty: “Crimmigration” Law and Deportation Defense.
• Ideal For: Immigrants facing criminal charges or with prior criminal convictions.
• Google Rating:9 Stars (250+ reviews)

4. Brown Immigration Law

With a strong presence in Raleigh, Brown Immigration Law brings its nationally recognized expertise in serving the medical, academic, and research communities to the heart of the Research Triangle. They are a top choice for physicians, scientists, and universities throughout North Carolina.

The firm excels at preparing and filing petitions for the best and brightest, including National Interest Waivers (NIW) for postdoctoral researchers, O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, and EB-1 petitions for outstanding professors. Their deep understanding of the academic and scientific fields allows them to effectively showcase their clients’ accomplishments.

Why Choose This Firm?

If you are a Ph.D., researcher, physician, or a university in the Research Triangle, this firm speaks your language. Their specialized knowledge of academic and medical immigration is a significant advantage.

At a Glance:

• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Specialty: Physicians, Researchers, Universities, and Extraordinary Ability cases.
• Ideal For: Medical professionals, academics, and research institutions.
• Google Rating:8 Stars (150+ reviews)

5. Velasquez & Associates

Velasquez & Associates is a cornerstone of the legal community for North Carolina’s vibrant Hispanic population. With offices in Durham and Raleigh, this fully bilingual firm is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective representation in family immigration, removal defense, and humanitarian cases.

The firm was founded to serve the specific needs of the local Hispanic community, and they have built a formidable reputation for their tenacious advocacy and their client-centered approach. They handle everything from family petitions and DACA to complex deportation cases in the Charlotte Immigration Court.

Why Choose This Firm?

For Spanish-speaking individuals and families, Velasquez & Associates offers a welcoming, culturally fluent environment combined with powerful legal representation. They are a trusted advocate for the Hispanic community.

At a Glance:

• Location: Durham & Raleigh, NC
• Specialty: Serving the Hispanic Community, Removal Defense, and Family Law.
• Ideal For: Spanish-speaking clients and families in need of a dedicated advocate.
• Google Rating:7 Stars (300+ reviews)

6. Ware Immigration.

While headquartered outside the state, Ware Immigration is a nationally recognized boutique firm that serves a sophisticated clientele in North Carolina, particularly in complex business immigration and federal court litigation. They are sought after by clients who have challenging cases that require a high level of strategic thinking.

The firm’s attorneys are known for their deep expertise and for their willingness to take on the federal government over unlawful denials or processing delays. They are a powerful resource for businesses and individuals whose cases have stalled or who require a creative legal strategy to succeed.

Why Choose This Firm?

For businesses or individuals in North Carolina with a particularly complex case, an issue requiring federal litigation, or the need for a nationally-recognized expert, Ware Immigration offers that elite level of counsel.

At a Glance:

• Location: Serves North Carolina (Office in Louisiana)
• Specialty: Complex Business Immigration and Federal Litigation.
• Ideal For: Clients with complex cases requiring a nationally-recognized expert.
• Google Rating:9 Stars (90+ reviews)

7. The Law Office of N. T.

The Law Office of N. T. is a top-rated Raleigh law firm with a passionate commitment to family and humanitarian immigration law. The firm is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable, providing expert and compassionate counsel to asylum seekers and victims of abuse.

The firm excels at handling asylum cases, VAWA petitions, U-Visas, and complex family-based green cards. Attorney and her team are praised by clients for their empathy, dedication, and the supportive environment they create. They are powerful advocates for those fleeing persecution or seeking to build a safe new life in the United States.

Why Choose This Firm?

If you or a loved one is seeking asylum or needs help with a sensitive humanitarian case, this firm’s mission-driven approach and specialized expertise make them an ideal choice. They are a trusted ally for those in need.

At a Glance:

• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Specialty: Humanitarian Law (Asylum, VAWA, U-Visas) and Family Immigration.
• Ideal For: Asylum seekers, victims of abuse, and families needing compassionate counsel.
• Google Rating:0 Stars (150+ reviews)

8. Urbina Law Firm, LLC

Urbina Law Firm is a well-respected Charlotte practice with a strong focus on family immigration and removal defense. They are dedicated to protecting the rights of immigrants and helping families navigate the U.S. legal system with confidence.

The firm’s bilingual team is known for its aggressive representation in the Charlotte Immigration Court and its compassionate handling of family-based cases like marriage petitions and DACA. They have built a strong track record of success and are praised by clients for their dedication and fighting spirit.

Why Choose This Firm?

For families in the Charlotte area in need of a strong advocate for either a family petition or a deportation case, Urbina Law Firm offers a powerful combination of experience and dedication.

At a Glance:

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Specialty: Removal Defense and Family-Based Immigration.
• Ideal For: Individuals in removal proceedings and families in the Charlotte area.
• Google Rating:8 Stars (150+ reviews)

9. The Law Office of Derrick J. Hensley, PLLC

Serving Western North Carolina from his office in Hickory, Derrick J. Hensley is a Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law who provides expert counsel to a region often underserved by specialized attorneys. He handles a full range of immigration matters, including family, business, and removal defense.

As a solo practitioner with the highest level of certification, Mr. Hensley offers a unique combination of expertise and direct, personal service. He is a trusted legal resource for individuals, families, and businesses in the Catawba Valley and surrounding areas, providing big-city expertise with a small-town commitment to his clients.

Why Choose This Firm?

For those in Western North Carolina who want the expertise of a Board-Certified specialist without traveling to a major city, this firm is the ideal choice. It offers unparalleled local expertise and personal attention.

At a Glance:

• Location: Hickory, NC
• Specialty: Board-Certified expertise in Family, Business, and Removal Defense.
• Ideal For: Clients in Western North Carolina seeking a local, certified expert.
• Google Rating:9 Stars (60+ reviews)

10. S.M. Law Firm, PC

S.M. Law Firm is a Charlotte-based practice led by a Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law. The firm is dedicated to providing high-quality, ethical, and effective legal services in all aspects of immigration law.

The firm handles a diverse caseload, from employment-based visas for corporate clients to complex family petitions and naturalization cases. Their certified expertise ensures that every case is handled with a deep understanding of the law and a strategic approach to achieving the client’s goals. They have a strong reputation for professionalism and successful outcomes.

Why Choose This Firm?

This firm is another excellent option for clients who prioritize the proven knowledge and skill that comes with Board Certification. They offer expert counsel across a wide range of immigration needs.

At a Glance:

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Specialty: Board-Certified expertise in Business and Family Immigration.
• Ideal For: Clients who want the assurance of a Board-Certified specialist.
• Google Rating:9 Stars (90+ reviews)

FAQs

How do I choose the right immigration lawyer in North Carolina?

Prioritize attorneys who are Board Certified Specialists in Immigration Law by the North Carolina State Bar. This is the highest standard of recognition for expertise and skill in the state. Beyond that, choose a firm that specializes in your specific case type (e.g., corporate, “crimmigration,” family waivers) and read recent client reviews to gauge their service quality.

What documents do I need for a consultation?

Bring your passport, visa, I-94 record, and any official correspondence you have received from USCIS or the Immigration Court. It is also very helpful to prepare a written timeline of your immigration history and a list of questions for the attorney.

How much does an immigration lawyer typically cost in North Carolina?

Costs vary by location and complexity. In major cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, attorney fees for a marriage-based green card might range from $3,000-$6,000. An H-1B visa could cost $2,500-$5,000. Deportation defense cases are more expensive, typically requiring an initial retainer of $6,000-$15,000+.

Can I switch lawyers during my immigration case?

Yes, you have the absolute right to change your legal representation at any point. Your new lawyer will file a Form G-28 to take over the case. To ensure a smooth transition, always request a complete copy of your case file from your previous attorney.

Conclusion

• For Large Corporations: Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm is the market leader for business immigration.
• For “Crimmigration” Defense: Fay & Grafton offers rare, dual-certified expertise that is essential for non-citizens facing criminal charges.
• For Researchers & Physicians: Brown Immigration Law has the specialized knowledge needed for the Research Triangle’s top talent.
• For Board-Certified Assurance: Bashyam Shah, Farmer & Eissens, and M. Law Firm provide the highest level of certified expertise.
• For the Hispanic Community: Velasquez & Associates is a trusted and powerful advocate.

Choosing the right legal partner is the most critical step in your immigration journey. Use this guide to find a trusted North Carolina firm that has the specific expertise your case requires.