K1 Visa: Can I file it by my self or is agent/laywer highly recommended?

[rkapur 0]

I was wondering if there really is a need for me to go thru Visa Agent ($600+) or a lawyer ($1500+) to actually file paper work for K1. Can I do this my self ? Suggestions/Experiences...

Thanks in advance..

[Dan J 277]

I was wondering if there really is a need for me to go thru Visa Agent ($600+) or a lawyer ($1500+) to actually file paper work for K1. Can I do this my self ? Suggestions/Experiences...

Thanks in advance..

You can do it yourself.

[kaush 0]

Yup you can definitely do it yourself. VJ.com has all the guidelines you will need and a wonderful community that is happy to share information and provide support. You can do it!

[sunandmoon 450]

If your case is straightforward, I'd say go for it. I did mine. many, many here on VJ have done their own. use the guide here on VJ and post any questions you have and hopefully everything will go smoothly

[Jesse and Hema 2]

You can definitely do it yourself, unless (of course) your case involves special bits of complexity (visa overstays, previous visa denials, bad criminal background, etc.)

If you do get a lawyer, make sure it's a good one, and one that specializes in immigration law. I've seen a few horror stories on VJ where people have gotten incompetent lawyers, and would have likely been better off filing themselves. Of course, there's the lawyer success stories too, but I recommend doing research on a lawyer before you write a $2,000 check for one.

I ramble. Bottom line: no, lawyer probably not needed.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Oh yes!

You can TOTALLY do it yourself!!!

If you have a pretty straight forward case, by all means, save yourself the money!

If you have some hard obstacles like a serious criminal past, a previous overstay, etc etc. I would suggest getting a good immigration lawyer.

Before we found VJ, Nick and I had contacted a lawyer who wanted to charge us $1800 bucks! Seeing all the amazing information on this site in the Guides and all the amazing people on the message boards, we knew we could do it.

Best of luck on your journey!!!

[Bill B 0]

I see you have already gotten some great advice here. I would only like to add that I have seen a lot of people on VJs that hired attorneys to do the basic filing have many different problems. Attorney assistance is only as good as their paralegals working for them. I have seen some really bad errors made by legal firms...of course even if you hire a lawyer you should still review everything in the package with a fine tooth comb before allowing them to mail it in for you. Good luck.

[Jaseball 0]

No lawyer is going to put in the same effort, double, triple, and quadruple checking you would do in this process because nobody out there has as much a vested interest in success as you and your partner.

Like everyone else said... if you have a complicated situation, such as over stays, criminal convictions, or things of this nature, then consider a lawyer, but research deeply and get references.

In most of these cases the lawyer just has you collect the information needed, has someone else fill in the applications, and sends it in. They don't make the process go faster and in horror cases they screw things up worse because of negligent behavior.

I read VJ for a month and during that time collected information, had my fiancee sign and date documents, had her send me pictures, and I made my I-129F packet alone.

Another good thing is I made 3 copies and all notices - NOA1 and NOA2 went to my attention. I didn't need a middle person and the $1-3K in savings is either a trip to visit or the money I will use to get her through the rest of the process and her airfare over here.

Just do your reading, follow the FAQ's here, ask questions, and you'll be fine.

The hardest part is the waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, and waiting some more and no lawyer is going to help with the wait.

[ChrisB0707 4]

I was wondering if there really is a need for me to go thru Visa Agent ($600+) or a lawyer ($1500+) to actually file paper work for K1. Can I do this my self ? Suggestions/Experiences...

Thanks in advance..

We used a lawyer in Las Vegas and it only cost 1000.00 US dollars. But I did do research before. I found a lawyer that is talked about and one of the best in Las Vegas for immigration. His office is actually in the imigration building so he knows alot of the people there. My point is make sure to talk to people in your area and get facts before. I used this lawyer because of his status in the area and know he will make big things happen if needed.

Goodluck to everyone and I miss my ShaSha so much everyday

[rkapur 0]

Thanks a lot all for your feedback... this is a great forum to be on and with all the support available.. it seems doable...

[ramos96 1]

rkapur,

I'd read the guides and look at my current situation. People here are helpful, many us of will at times go out of our way to find answers for those asking questions. Many of us here have been through the same steps you are about to under take. Fear not our new friend, you are in the company of many. Read the guides and ask questions, that is how many of us learned and still are learning.

Welcome to VJ and if you have a straight forward case, save the money your gonna need it as many a VJer will tell you being apart is hard, phone calls and visits help the time go by.

Sincerely,

Ramos

[john_and_marlene 162]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;#entry976448

[eric_and_teresa 10]

You can definitely do it yourself, unless (of course) your case involves special bits of complexity (visa overstays, previous visa denials, bad criminal background, etc.)

If you do get a lawyer, make sure it's a good one, and one that specializes in immigration law. I've seen a few horror stories on VJ where people have gotten incompetent lawyers, and would have likely been better off filing themselves. Of course, there's the lawyer success stories too, but I recommend doing research on a lawyer before you write a $2,000 check for one.

I ramble. Bottom line: no, lawyer probably not needed.

I agree with Jesse! If you do get a lawyer get well learn about the process first and make sure he keeps you informed of what he's doing in every step of the process.

If you decide to do it yourself, I suggest you buy a book called Fiance & Marriage Visas: A couple's guide to U.S. immigration, it was very helpful for us.

Edited December 5, 2007 by eric_and_teresa

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

You can 100% do this yourself! Save your money for yourselves!