Please advice on how to start

[kodie76 0]

I would like to inquire as to how should I start the process of getting a fiancee visa for my fiancee. Should I get help from a lawyer or should I endevour to do this on my own based on information obtained here at the site and others. Please..........what do you guys recommend......I need advice.

I'd also like to know what are the costs to doing both..............?

[denali_1963 0]

From what i have read on here lawyers screw up alot on these petitions and it cost so much for them. If i can do it i think anybody can I followed the guides up top and when i got stuck i just posted on here and somebody was always willing to answer my questions. Good luck

[I'm Gone 60]

Read This

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm

How Do I Bring My Fiancé(e) to the United States?

http://tinyurl.com/qb8xl

http://tinyurl.com/qm639

As far as getting a lawyer, that's your call. Unless there is something out of the ordinary like a criminal record involved it's not much harder than doing your own taxes. Just have to do your homework and ask questions.

[kodie76 0]

From what i have read on here lawyers screw up alot on these petitions and it cost so much for them. If i can do it i think anybody can I followed the guides up top and when i got stuck i just posted on here and somebody was always willing to answer my questions. Good luck

Yes......it seems that's the case from most instances ive read.........anyone else have there 2 cents to add.....

[Karen_L 1]

I would like to inquire as to how should I start the process of getting a fiancee visa for my fiancee. Should I get help from a lawyer or should I endevour to do this on my own based on information obtained here at the site and others. Please..........what do you guys recommend......I need advice.

I'd also like to know what are the costs to doing both..............?

I did the petition on my own and it got approved very quickly (at the Vermont Service Center). I would advise you to try to do it on you own, rather than pay a lawyer. This website helped me SO MUCH, and hopefully it can help you too: http://www.***removed***/visas/kvisa/fiance...a-petition.html

As I was compiling my petition, I consulted it a lot, followed their examples, etc. EXCEPT -- I wrote a really personalized and rather long (approx. 1 full page) letter of intention and a 2-page explanation of how he and I met, fell in love, been together within the last 2 years, etc. My fiance also wrote a 1-page letter of intent (in his native language, Albanian) which we then had translated into English and notarized.

Aside from that, just get together and organize all photographs of you with your fiancee, photocopy plane tickets, your passport and any pages with stamps that show that you traveled to visit, make copies of any letters or e-mails you sent AND -- and I think this is important -- copies of phone bills that prove you've spoken a lot.

My fiance and I call each other using calling cards, so on my cingular bill, I highlighted everytime I dialed the calling card number, then I photocopied a calling card to show the access numbers.

I also think it's good if everything is clearly labeled and organized.

So, good luck! I hope this was of some help.

[keltic 1]

between the 'guides' tab at the top of the page and the search function... you will find nearly anything you need here... it would also help folks to answer your questions if you fill out your profile

[misskiya 0]

I hired a lawyer to the tune of $650.00 and he really hasn't done much but answer my questions. Of course that was before I found VJ. and my lawyer has been very SUPPORTIVE, but that's about it other than supplying paperwork. In fact, he never informed us that I needed to send in a copy of my FIRST MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE and now we're praying it wont end in an RFE. And the 650, only takes us through the first step, up till the visa approval, the aos and anythign else will be additional...shoudl we decide to use a lawyer from that point on. Though I must admit, I don't think I could have handled all the intricacies myself. I tend to crack under pressure

[kodie76 0]

Thanks for all the advice....I really do appreciate........and I will try and do this on my own....thanks for the info.......

[MrsDarby 0]

I tried to start it on my own, but it seemed very overwhelming. I finally hired an immigration lawyer (not from a large firm-has an office in his home), and he has been a lifesaver. We had to get the required information together, but he tells me what and when. He fills out all the paperwork, makes any photocopies, and sends everything to the appropriate places.

Some lawyers can be really expensive, but ours was very reasonable. My advice would be to call a few lawyers in your area and talk to them about it on the phone. Those who seemed to do it "just for the money" weren't willing to answer questions on the phone. They wanted me to pay them X amount to meet with them. I think our lawyers fees (not including immigration fees) is about $800. I think we got a great deal.

Good luck!

[jkb919 0]

Like others have said if you dont have any major issues like criminal history or devorce problems...Then you should be able to do it yourself. I found this site before filing my petition and boy was it a big help...if you follow the guides it will direct you on exactly what to do. I did not even consider getting a lawyer, plus I really didnt have the money for one...if you are a fairly organized person you can do it yourself no problem....I have also heard some horror stories about how some lawyers have messed up peoples paperwork.

Good luck and we are here if you have any questions.