Reputable lawyers?/ different visas

[bogartnoir 1]

I am a U.S. citizen and my boyfriend is Canadian. After knowing eachother for 9 years and dating on and off for all this time we finally feel like we're in a position for him to move here permanently! I have two questions...

We've been reading up on the rules, guides, tips etc...But we are still confused about how to go about things and in which order. Which is why we are considering hiring an immigration lawyer.

Have any of you used a lawyer? Can anyone in NYC recommend a lawyer who won't take us for a ride?

Also, while we are considering a k1 visa- we have also been looking into workers visas as well as a performers visa (my boyfriend is a musician).

We want this so badly and are worried the slightest screw up on our part might impede us being together. We just don't want to be apart anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[Brian & Kathy 0]

You'll want to be careful considering other visa types. If you are given another kind of visa (performers, tourist, workers, ect) and he comes here with the intent to marry, that could be seen as visa fraud which is a BIG problem. Use the visa which applies, so if you intend to marry and begin your lives together, the K1/K3 route is what you want.

The K1 process isn't too complex, but it takes a little time. Most people here will say no need for a lawyer if you can fill out forms. If USCIS or the consular needs anything else, they'll certainly ask instead of denying you flat out.

In the end, whether or not you want to hire a lawyer is up to you, and depent on how confident you feel doing the process. Read the guide at the top of the forum and you'll have a much better idea about the process. Nearly everyone here sucessfully gets the K1 visa without a lawyer, and I've even read some people having extra trouble because of a lawyer making mistakes on the forums. After all, no one is more invested in sucessfully getting the visa than YOU and your fiance! If your case is complicated, such as having criminal records or overstaying previous visas, an experienced lawyer would be a good idea.

Brian

Edited November 10, 2007 by Brian & Kathy