Jump to content

10 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Posted
I'm a US Citizen who just got married to a Moroccan. I've reviewed the forms and they seem pretty clear to me, is it worth it to hire a lawyer? Has anyone done this themselves who could give me some information on their experience?

Thanks!

If the process is pretty clear for you..

I don't think you need a lawyer.. That's my opinion..

VJ has the best info I have seen so far.. and very kind members that are willing to help you out and share their experience with you..

If you could do it yourself I suggest you do it yourself...

IR-1 Visa for Wife

NVC Case Complete = January 2, 2008

Received Packet 4 here in the US (Interview Packet) = January 18, 2008

Case Left NVC Forwarded to USEM Manila = January 23, 2008

SLEC Medical = Jan 31 and Feb 1, 2008 (2 days)

USEM Manila Interview = February 20, 2008 @ 8:30am = DONE! (Status: 2 Months wait is over APPROVED)

CFO Guidance & Counseling = April 17, 2008

Visa in Hand = April 18, 2008 (Our Wedding Anniversary)

Arrival in the US and POE = April 23, 2008 JFK Intl. Airport New York City

Social Security Card = May 2, 2008

Green Card in Hand = August 18,2008

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ghana
Timeline
Posted

Hi :)

I think it is safe to say that the majority of people on VJ have used the guides here successfully without using a lawyer. We didn't use a lawyer and we were fine. We just used the guides here :thumbs:

There are many on here that have found that hiring a lawyer was a waste of money, others will say that they are happy with their lawyers. It all depends on your level of comfort in filling out the forms and making sure you have everything in order. The guides here on VJ give you pretty much everything that you need as long as your case is not complicated.

If you do decide to go with a lawyer make sure you get one who specializes in immigration law.

Good luck :)

Mama to 2 beautiful boys (August 2011 and January 2015)

Click for full timeline

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline
Posted
Hi :)

I think it is safe to say that the majority of people on VJ have used the guides here successfully without using a lawyer. We didn't use a lawyer and we were fine. We just used the guides here :thumbs:

There are many on here that have found that hiring a lawyer was a waste of money, others will say that they are happy with their lawyers. It all depends on your level of comfort in filling out the forms and making sure you have everything in order. The guides here on VJ give you pretty much everything that you need as long as your case is not complicated.

If you do decide to go with a lawyer make sure you get one who specializes in immigration law.

Good luck :)

If you hire a lawyer make sure they are a member of AILA- American Immigration Lawyers Association

CR-1 Visa

I-130 Sent : 2006-08-30

I-130 NOA1 : 2006-09-12

I-130 Approved : 2007-01-17

NVC Received : 2007-02-05

Consulate Received : 2007-06-09

Interview Date : 2007-08-16 Case sent back to USCIS

NOA case received by CSC: 2007-12-19

Receive NOIR: 2009-05-04

Sent Rebuttal: 2009-05-19

NOA rebuttal entered: 2009-06-05

Case sent back to NVC for processing: 2009-08-27

Consulate sends DS-230: 2009-11-23

Interview: 2010-02-05 result Green sheet for updated I864 and photos submit 2010-03-05

APPROVED visa pick up 2010-03-12

POE: 2010-04-20 =)

GC received: 2010-05-05

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Your I-130 was approved in 140 days.

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Iran
Timeline
Posted

Married to an Iranian engineer!

There is nothing a lawyer can do other than fill the forms for you and give you some encouraging words.

I consulted a lawyer at first, she answered my questions...but was wrong on two points.

1) She said the processing time would be six months.

2) She said I was in a good position with my Affidavit of Support and would not need a Joint Sponsor. While my Affidavit of Support was approved by the NVC, the Consulate requested our case get a Joint Sponsor.

If you can do the forms yourself you are better off not hiring a lawyer.....The forms and instructions aren't straightforward, but they aren't impossible either. Just read the instructions and do a practice form. Then reread the instructions and check your answers. Do this three times....Often you will see something you overlooked or misunderstood intitially.

Wait to get a lawyer IF you really need one later.

Nutty

Posted
I'm a US Citizen who just got married to a Moroccan. I've reviewed the forms and they seem pretty clear to me, is it worth it to hire a lawyer? Has anyone done this themselves who could give me some information on their experience?

Thanks!

I agree with the others. Unless you have some unique problem it save money and in most cases time. The best route to go is the CR-1 visa. If you read through the following thread, you will have a good understanding of the process and the various forms, and anything you don't understand or just want to make sure you're clear on something, just post it here and you'll probably have and answer in less than a day. Best of luck in your journey.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117

First trip 01-17-07

Married 02-05-07

What Service Center was filed at? Nebraska transferred to California

Provide dates for the following:

I-130 sent (Mailed)..........................3-12-07

1st NOA (Receipt Notice) .................3-29-07

2nd NOA (Approval Notice) e-mail.....6-15-07

Bill for I-864 processing fee rcd and sent..7-24-07

I-864 Packet Received......................8-18-07

I-864 Mailed to NV............................8-20-07

Bill for DS-230 received....................8-29-07

Payment for DS-230 sent..................8-30-07

DS-230 Packet received..................10-25-07

DS-230 Packet sent to NVC..............10-29-07

Case Completed..............................11-16-07

Case Forwarded to Embassy.............11-30-07

Packet recieved from NVC................12-07-07

Medical complete...............................1-04-08

Leave for Manila................................1-19-08

Interview and approval......................1-22-08

Visa in Hand .....................................1-24-08

Arrived in USA...................................3-19-08

Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline
Posted
I'm a US Citizen who just got married to a Moroccan. I've reviewed the forms and they seem pretty clear to me, is it worth it to hire a lawyer? Has anyone done this themselves who could give me some information on their experience?

Thanks!

I agree with the others. Unless you have some unique problem it save money and in most cases time. The best route to go is the CR-1 visa. If you read through the following thread, you will have a good understanding of the process and the various forms, and anything you don't understand or just want to make sure you're clear on something, just post it here and you'll probably have and answer in less than a day. Best of luck in your journey.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117

Lawyers are legalised liers. There is nothing they can do that we can not do ourselves.

Posted

Their just like us after all.. HUMANS!!

IR-1 Visa for Wife

NVC Case Complete = January 2, 2008

Received Packet 4 here in the US (Interview Packet) = January 18, 2008

Case Left NVC Forwarded to USEM Manila = January 23, 2008

SLEC Medical = Jan 31 and Feb 1, 2008 (2 days)

USEM Manila Interview = February 20, 2008 @ 8:30am = DONE! (Status: 2 Months wait is over APPROVED)

CFO Guidance & Counseling = April 17, 2008

Visa in Hand = April 18, 2008 (Our Wedding Anniversary)

Arrival in the US and POE = April 23, 2008 JFK Intl. Airport New York City

Social Security Card = May 2, 2008

Green Card in Hand = August 18,2008

Posted

I hired a Lawyer.. My wife is here safe in my arms.

I know that wde thought we had everything and took it to the lawyer and he made a list of things that

we should get also..

He was giving of his time and always answered my questions.

He filed both the K3 and I130 for $1200 plus filing fees.

http://www.jaballasimmigrationlaw.com/

I am not a salesman for him.. Just giving you the option.

My wife is here now on a full I130 Visa

December 12 2006 Filed I130

Jan 10 2007 got receipt and case number!

Jan 12 2007 sent 129F

Feb 6 notice they were moving the file to a faster service center.

Feb 26 Notice of I130 approval

Feb 28 2007 notice they were sending 129F to USCIS for further investigation (err #######?)

May 15 2007 notice of approval of 129F with processing dates of 05/15/2007 thru 09/14/2007

May 28 2007 Notice from attorney that NVC needed processed and money orders were needed.

June 4 2007 Traveled to Manila to spend 2 weeks with my wife!! (YeHaaaa!!)

Fed-xed her signed papers (For NVC) from Manila to attorney from Manila while on vacation

June 18 2007 Nvc approved support.

June 29 2007 packet arrived @ my home informing of interveiw for I130 on Aug 27 2007 and explaining Medical interveiw.

(Note wife never received packet for I130 in Philippines I fed-ex'ed mine to her for medical interveiw)

July 17 2007 packet arrived for 129F setting interveiw for Sept 5 2007

August 5 2007 Wife flew to Manila for medical interveiw on August 6.

August 26 wife flew to Manila for I130 interveiw on August 27 2007.

August 27 2007 12:31 pm I130 Approved

wife arriving Nov 18th

WIFE ARRIVED Nov 18th!!!!

Website I made my wife!

http://rickrox.tripod.com/roxan1.html

Filed: Country: Nigeria
Timeline
Posted

Unless you have extenuating circumstances do not waste your money on a lawyer. I did. I regret that I did. I am sure there are great lawyers out there, but my lawyer made our case worst. They (him and His assistant) filed my paperwork for the K32 months after receipt of our I130. It has a receipt date 2 days after our I130 approval. My husband would be here right now, had they sent it in on time. Now we are going the cr1 rt, which he will not be here until after April or later.

The people here know more then my law office. I found this place out of desperation to get more information regarding the process.

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...