Immigration Psychological Evaluation Pricing
Flat fees, no surprises. Every evaluation includes records review, the 90-120 minute clinical interview, the full standardized testing battery, the 15-25 page (or 20-30 page) forensic report, unlimited revisions, RFE responses, and Spanish interpretation. No insurance billing; payment by cash, credit card, or Zelle.
Flat fees range from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on case type. Asylum, VAWA, and T-visa are $2,000 each. U-visa is $1,800. Extreme hardship waivers (I-601 / I-601A) and cancellation of removal are $2,500 each. N-648 disability waivers and competency evaluations are $1,500 each. Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days; priority rush (3 days) adds 50%; emergency rush (24 hours) adds 100%. Spanish interpretation included at no extra cost. Schedule an evaluation or call (818) 351-3354.
Standard flat fees by case type
| Evaluation type | Statute / form | Standard turnaround | Flat fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asylum / Withholding / CAT | INA 208 / 241(b)(3) / Form I-589 | 5-7 business days | $2,000 |
| VAWA self-petition | INA 204(a)(1) / Form I-360 | 5-7 business days | $2,000 |
| U-visa (crime victims) | INA 101(a)(15)(U) / Form I-918 | 5-7 business days | $1,800 |
| T-visa (trafficking) | 22 U.S.C. 7102 / Form I-914 | 5-7 business days | $2,000 |
| Extreme hardship waiver | Form I-601 / I-601A | 5-7 business days | $2,500 |
| Cancellation of removal | INA 240A(b) / Form EOIR-42B | 5-7 business days | $2,500 |
| N-648 disability waiver | INA 312(b) / Form N-648 | 5-7 business days | $1,500 |
| Competency evaluation | Matter of M-A-M-, 25 I&N Dec. 474 | 5-7 business days | $1,500 |
Rush options (when hearings or filing deadlines are imminent)
| Rush level | Turnaround | Surcharge | Example: asylum eval ($2,000 base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5-7 business days | None | $2,000 |
| Priority rush | 3 business days | +50% | $3,000 |
| Emergency rush | 24 hours | +100% | $4,000 |
Rush availability depends on calendar capacity at the time of intake. Confirm rush slots during the initial call.
What every flat fee includes
- Records review — personal declarations, medical and treatment records, country conditions evidence, prior evaluations
- Clinical interview — 90 to 120 minutes via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth
- Standardized testing battery — PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, BDI-II, plus case-specific instruments (DES-II, TSI-2, MoCA, SIMS as indicated)
- Forensic psychological report — 15 to 25 pages (20-30 pages for hardship and cancellation cases) with DSM-5-TR diagnoses, severity scores, and a clinical opinion addressing the specific legal standard
- Unlimited revisions — until the report meets all legal requirements
- RFE responses — incorporated through a short addendum at no charge for findings the original report addressed
- Spanish interpretation — professional medical interpreter included at no extra cost
- Secure delivery — encrypted PDF via HIPAA-covered Google Workspace
- Attorney coordination — phone or email consultation with referring counsel as needed
- Free 15-minute initial intake call — to confirm fit, walk through scope, and lock the fee before any clinical work
Why flat fees instead of hourly billing?
Predictability. You know the total cost up front. No surprise bills for revisions, RFE responses, or attorney consultations. The fee is the fee.
Cost-effectiveness. Hourly billing in this practice area can run $250 to $400 per hour. With records review (3-5 hours), the clinical interview (2 hours), report writing (8-12 hours), and revisions (2-4 hours), an hourly evaluation can total $3,500 to $5,000. The flat fee is substantially less expensive for most cases.
Aligned incentives. Hourly billing rewards complexity and slowness. Flat fees reward thoroughness and turnaround. Dr. Mantonya is incentivized to deliver a strong report quickly because the fee is fixed.
Industry standard. Almost all immigration psychological evaluation practices use flat-fee pricing. We are aligned with industry norms.
Frequently asked questions about pricing
How much does an immigration psychological evaluation cost in California?
Flat fees range from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the case type. Asylum, VAWA, and T-visa evaluations are $2,000 each. U-visa evaluations are $1,800. Extreme hardship waivers (I-601 / I-601A) and cancellation of removal evaluations are $2,500 each. N-648 disability waivers and competency evaluations are $1,500 each. Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days. Priority rush (3 days) adds 50%; emergency rush (24 hours) adds 100%. Spanish interpretation is included at no extra cost.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. We accept structured payment plans for clients who need them, typically half before the evaluation and half before report delivery. For attorneys with multiple cases per month, we offer volume relationships rather than referral fees (referral fees from psychologists are prohibited under California Business & Professions Code 650). Discuss payment terms during the intake call.
Why do you charge flat fees instead of hourly rates?
Flat fees protect both the client and the evaluator. Clients know the total cost up front with no surprise hourly bills for revisions, RFE responses, or attorney consultations. The fee covers everything: the records review, the 90-120 minute clinical interview, standardized testing battery, the 15-25 page report, unlimited revisions until the report meets all legal requirements, and any RFE-driven addendums. Hourly billing in this practice area can run $250-$400 per hour and total $3,500-$5,000 with revisions, which makes the flat-fee model substantially less expensive for most cases.
Why is the hardship waiver evaluation more expensive than asylum?
Hardship waivers and cancellation of removal evaluations require a dual-scenario analysis (separation AND relocation), evaluation of the qualifying relative rather than the applicant, deeper record review (medical history, financial documentation, country conditions), and a 20-30 page report addressing all five Cervantes-Gonzalez factors. The clinical work is more extensive, typically two interviews instead of one, which is why the flat fee is $2,500 instead of $2,000.
What does the rush pricing actually mean?
Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days from the evaluation interview to a delivered report. Priority rush (+50%) means a 3-business-day turnaround. Emergency rush (+100%) means a 24-hour turnaround for cases with imminent court dates or filing deadlines. Rush pricing reflects the schedule disruption — Dr. Mantonya reorders existing cases to prioritize yours. For example, an asylum evaluation under emergency rush is $4,000 ($2,000 base + $2,000 rush). Rush availability depends on calendar capacity at the time of intake.
Are insurance plans accepted?
No. Forensic immigration psychological evaluations are not covered by health insurance because they are not medical care for the patient — they are forensic documentation services prepared for a legal proceeding. The U.S. health insurance industry treats forensic evaluations as legal-related services rather than treatment. This is industry-standard across virtually all immigration psychology practices. Payment is by cash, credit card, or Zelle.
Are evaluations cheaper for attorneys who refer multiple clients?
Yes. Attorneys with five or more referrals per month can negotiate a 10-15% volume relationship. This is structured as a discount on flat fees rather than a referral fee — referral fees from psychologists are prohibited under California Business & Professions Code 650 (penalty up to $50,000). The volume relationship is a transparent discount based on actual case volume, not a kickback.
Are addendums and RFE responses charged separately?
No, not for issues the original report addressed but the officer overlooked or for which they requested clarification. Standard revisions, RFE responses, supplemental declarations clarifying existing findings, and attorney-requested wording changes are included in the flat fee. Significant new clinical work — for example, a fresh evaluation interview six months later because new symptoms emerged — would be billed as a separate addendum at a reduced rate ($500 to $1,000 depending on scope), discussed and quoted before any work begins.
Is Spanish interpretation included?
Yes. Spanish-language evaluations are conducted with a professional medical interpreter included at no extra cost. The interpreter joins the clinical interview via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth and is bound by the same confidentiality protections as the clinician. Intake forms and consent documents are available in Spanish on request.
Is there a free consultation?
Yes. The initial intake call (typically 15 minutes by phone) is free and informational. We confirm whether the case fits, walk through the case-specific scope, agree on the flat fee, and confirm the scheduling timeline. No clinical work is performed during the intake call, and no records are reviewed before a signed engagement.
Ready to schedule an evaluation?
Reach out for a free 15-minute intake call. We confirm fit, walk through the case-specific scope, and lock the flat fee before any clinical work begins.
Contact usDisclaimer: Pricing reflects the standard rates as of April 2026 and is subject to change. The flat fees described do not include third-party costs your attorney may incur (court filing fees, USCIS biometrics, document translation outside the evaluation context). Confirm current pricing during the intake call before scheduling.