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Yelena+Michael

Hire a lawyer or do it yourself?

By Yelena+Michael in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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Yelena+Michael Newbie

Yelena+Michael   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

Hi all,

I just got married a few days ago to a Dominican in a Dominican Republic. Now, I need to know which way to proceed. Should I hire a lawyer or do the paperwork myself? Which way is faster and more reliable?

Also, if you know a lawyer who specializes in immigration from Dominican Republic, I would appreciate a referral.

Thank you for any advice!

SomeGuy4186 Contributor

SomeGuy4186   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

dont get a lawyer, its not that complicated.

you can find alot of the stuff you need here for general visa info and at dominicanstotheusa.com for info specific to DR.

TIMELINE(CR1)

*****

10-15-03 -- Met Future Wife

12-10-07 -- Married

*****

-USCIS-

*****

01-10-08 -- Mailed I-130 to VSC

01-14-08 -- NOA1 Received

02-11-08 -- NOA1 Notice Date

02-15-08 -- Received Hard Copy

02-24-08 -- Touch(Updated Into System)

08-22-08 -- Touch(Transferred to CSC)

08-25-08 -- Touch

08-27-08 -- Touch(Received at CSC)

08-28-08 -- Touch

08-29-08 -- Touch

09-16-08 -- NOA2

*****

NVC(Using Loto's Guide)

*****

09-23-08 - NVC Received File and NVC case number assigned.

09-25-08 - DS-3032 / I-864 Bill generated

09-25-08 - E-Mail DS-3032

10-03-08 - Pay I-864 Bill (Online)

10-04-08 - I-864 generated

10-06-08 - Overnight I-864

10-06-08 - IV Bill generated

10-06-08 - Pay IV Bill(Online)

10-07-00 - DS-230 generated

10-07-08 - Overnight DS-230

00-00-08- Case Completed at NVC

*****

Consulate

*****

Almost There!

Boorai Enthusiast

Boorai   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
dont get a lawyer, its not that complicated.

you can find alot of the stuff you need here for general visa info and at dominicanstotheusa.com for info specific to DR.

I could not agree more. Forget the attorney. Rely upon the government bodies that your will process through and ALSO the valuable information that you can get from the people on this website.

If you look at my timeline, you will see that in less than 3 months...doing this without an attorney...my wife and I are nearly complete. Most post on here about attorneys are negative. that is another person in the way and the fees are outrageous.

Do it yourself, you will be very happy that you did.

05-21-06 - Met online

12-29-07 - Married at 6pm THE LAST TIME I'LL FALL IN LOVE

07-28-08 - Mailed I-130(Chicago, $355 X 2)

07-31-08 - NOA1(I-130 recieved in Chicago)

08-01-08 - Hard copy NOA1 (I recieved the NOA1 via mail)

08-25-08 - Hard copy NOA2(I-130 approved and recieved by me)

08-27-08 - NVC assigns case number(verified via telephone call)

09-05-08 - Received DS-3032 and AOS bill(checked by phone and noted on travel web site)

09-05-08 - Paid AOS bill online --- pending (paid on-line $70)

09-06-08 - Emailed DS-3032 --- auto response (email that NVC recieved an email from Grace, nothing more)

09-09-08 - AOS bill --- PAID!! (noted on travel web site as "PAID")

09-11-09 - Grace recieved DS-3032s, still no response to the email...(wife got a birthday package from her hubby :) )

09-12-09 - Mailed DS-3032 via FedEx. Also mailed out AOS(paper mailed just to be certain they get one)

09-15-09 - NVC accepts DS-3032..FINALLY!!!(verified via email response and telephone call)

09-15-09 - IV Bill paid online - in process($400 X 2)

09-16-08 - AOS revieced by NVC and being reviewed.(verified via telephone call)

09-17-08 - Immigrant VISA Bill fee "PAID" (verified on-line)

09-24-08 - AOS approved(verified via telephone call)

10-06-08 - DS230 recieved by NVC

10-10-08 - CASE COMPLETED AT NVC

10-29-08 - Appointment Schedule for 12-9-2008(verified by telephone call to NVC)

11-03-08 - Recieved Appointment letter via snail mail

11-25-08 - Medical Exam at St. Lukes Medical Center

12-09-08 - Interview at 630am.......VISAs APPROVED!!

Yelena+Michael Newbie

Yelena+Michael   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
You need a lawyer for this process with all the information that is posted here, just spend time reading the whole process and how it works and save your money.

Start reading and you will be done.

:whistle::star:

Thank you, guys! You are the best. I have been reading all day. It seems that DR processing times are a lot slower then other countries. I wish all of you luck and will be back for more info.

MVPSOL Explorer

MVPSOL   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

well i can honestly say that their is enought info on here that you can " fly" through thr process.

Married July 5, 2008 in Dominican Republic

Service Center: Vermont

sent --I130 on August 01,2008

NO1-- Recieved August 07,2008

touched---August 11,2008

touched---August 12,2008

touched --December 17,2008 transferred to CSC

touched--December 24, 2008

touched--December 29, 2008

approved-- January 14, 2009

Sent ds-3032 on jan 23-2009

Paid AOS fee---Jan 28-2009

SENT I-864-----jAN 30-2009

PAID IV fee-- Jan 30-2009

Case complete--Feb-29-2009

ANTERVIEW ON jUNE 2-2009

APPROVE AND RECEIVED jUNE 8-2009

7758.gif

trinket Experienced

trinket   30

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: India
 Timeline
Posted

While you are still in DR, make sure you document everything, all the bills together, as much as photographs together, with family, save your boarding pass, may be try to open up a bank account jointly in DR (if possible), just try everything you can to secure evidence.

And I agree with others, if you don't have a complicated case, then there is no need for a lawyer. We did have a lawyer and I don't have any complaints against him though like most others, but we did have a couple of red flags so it was necessary. So do decide on Red flags factor, if you need a lawyer or not.

Completely Proficient

Completely   3

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
Hi all,

I just got married a few days ago to a Dominican in a Dominican Republic. Now, I need to know which way to proceed. Should I hire a lawyer or do the paperwork myself? Which way is faster and more reliable?

Also, if you know a lawyer who specializes in immigration from Dominican Republic, I would appreciate a referral.

Thank you for any advice!

Do it yourself, it will be more faster than hiring a lawyer. Try to search VJ Forum regarding members who are complaining about their lawyers..

Edited by Completely
jamesfiretrucksg2.th.jpgthpix.gif
daboyz Experienced

daboyz   36

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
 Timeline
Posted
Hi all,

I just got married a few days ago to a Dominican in a Dominican Republic. Now, I need to know which way to proceed. Should I hire a lawyer or do the paperwork myself? Which way is faster and more reliable?

Also, if you know a lawyer who specializes in immigration from Dominican Republic, I would appreciate a referral.

Thank you for any advice!

Hiring a lawyer is a good way to throw away money and delay your case.

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate : Bangkok, Thailand

Marriage : 2006-11-08

I-130 Sent : 2008-02-22

I-130 NOA1 : 2008-03-10

I-129F Sent : 2008-04-08

I-129F NOA1 : 2008-04-14

I-129F touched: 2008-05-06

I-130 touched: 2008-05-09

I-129F approved 2008-09-05

I-130 approved 2008-09-05

NVC received 2008-09-12

Pay I-864 2008-10-08

Pay IV bill 2008-10-08

Receive Instruction 2008-11-05

Case Complete 2008-11-18

Medical 2009-01-19/20 passed

Receive Pkt 4 2009-01-30

Interview 221g 2009-02-23

Second interview 2009-03-02 Approved

POE DFW 2009-03-07

Received SS card 2009-03-17

Received GC 2009-04-01

Done for 3 years or 10 years. Haven't decided yet.

(I'm going for the IR-1 and blowing off the K-3. Even if it takes an extra couple months, it's worth it to not have to deal with USCIS again)

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Note:

Please fill out I-130, wait 6 months for approval, then 3 more months for an interview. (Unless of course we've bombed your country into the stone age, then you qualify for expedited processing.)

Welcome to the USA!!!

YGandMAT Community Regular

YGandMAT   0

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Mexico
 Timeline
Posted
Hi all,

I just got married a few days ago to a Dominican in a Dominican Republic. Now, I need to know which way to proceed. Should I hire a lawyer or do the paperwork myself? Which way is faster and more reliable?

Also, if you know a lawyer who specializes in immigration from Dominican Republic, I would appreciate a referral.

Thank you for any advice!

Hiring a lawyer is a good way to throw away money and delay your case.

I agree, DO NOT HIRE A LAWYER. It will not speed up your process, it will probably take longer since they take their sweet time. They don't have the same sense of urgency to get your loved one to the US...so just do it yourself. You can find a lot of useful information on this site, and you can always ask questions here.

GOOD LUCK!

4.28.07 - Married in Jalisco Mexico - Cozumel Honeymoon for 2 weeks

***I-130***

5.24.07 - I-130 Received in CSC

7.14.07 - Received NOA1 (WOW after 6 weeks, I was worried...called INS and told me CSC had a computer "glitch" causing delays on printing Receipt notices and approvals)

10.30.07 - APPROVED No email, the NOA2 came in the mail...hard copy.

***1-129F***

7.23.07 - I-129F received in Chicago

7.30.07 - Received NOA1

11.21.07 - APPROVED!!!! APPROVED. GOT AN E-MAIL ON THANKSGIVING!

03.03.08- INTERVIEW IN CIUDAD JUAREZ. VISA GRANTED ON 03.03.2008

***AOS & EAD***

3.10.08 - Case Received at Chicago Lockbox, check cashed 3.14.08

3.17.08 - Received both NOA's in the mail

3.21.08 - Received Biometrics appointment letter in the mail, biometrics Appt. 4.02.08

5.05.08 - EAD Card Production ordered GOT EMAIL (we received the same email on 5.09.08)

5.13.08 - Approval Email for EAD (so the card was ordered first, and then we were approved...hum)

5.15.08 - EAD Card Received in mail.

8.08.08 - WE GOT OUR INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT YAY...9/12/08 - INTERVIEW APPROVED

9.24.08 - Received Green Card in the mail YEAH!

***I-751***

6.15.10 - Mailed I-751 Docs to CSC, check cashed 6.24.10

6.26.10 - Received NOA in mail dated 6.21.10

6.29.10 - Received Biometrics appointment for 7.15.10

SomeGuy4186 Contributor

SomeGuy4186   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted
You need a lawyer for this process with all the information that is posted here, just spend time reading the whole process and how it works and save your money.

Start reading and you will be done.

:whistle::star:

Thank you, guys! You are the best. I have been reading all day. It seems that DR processing times are a lot slower then other countries. I wish all of you luck and will be back for more info.

up until case complete at NVC, its the same processing time most other countries would have. after you get case complete and your waiting for interview, in DR they are scheduled 3-5 months out... most people are getting them in 4 months. if i get case complete this week, i should have an interview in DR by feb.

its not THAT much longer than other countries and thank god you didn't file 2 years or so ago. the waiting list for an interview used to be about a year to 2 years. someone on dominicanstotheusa.com just got their visa after 3 years for the total process.

TIMELINE(CR1)

*****

10-15-03 -- Met Future Wife

12-10-07 -- Married

*****

-USCIS-

*****

01-10-08 -- Mailed I-130 to VSC

01-14-08 -- NOA1 Received

02-11-08 -- NOA1 Notice Date

02-15-08 -- Received Hard Copy

02-24-08 -- Touch(Updated Into System)

08-22-08 -- Touch(Transferred to CSC)

08-25-08 -- Touch

08-27-08 -- Touch(Received at CSC)

08-28-08 -- Touch

08-29-08 -- Touch

09-16-08 -- NOA2

*****

NVC(Using Loto's Guide)

*****

09-23-08 - NVC Received File and NVC case number assigned.

09-25-08 - DS-3032 / I-864 Bill generated

09-25-08 - E-Mail DS-3032

10-03-08 - Pay I-864 Bill (Online)

10-04-08 - I-864 generated

10-06-08 - Overnight I-864

10-06-08 - IV Bill generated

10-06-08 - Pay IV Bill(Online)

10-07-00 - DS-230 generated

10-07-08 - Overnight DS-230

00-00-08- Case Completed at NVC

*****

Consulate

*****

Almost There!

tenderheartusa79 Experienced

tenderheartusa79   14

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Don't hire a lawyer you can do it your self.

good luck and my best wishes for you

Edited by Hot Guy

Nothing's impossible . Nothing's unreachable .When I am weary you make me stronger

This love is beautiful .So unforgettable . I feel no winter cold when we are together .

Will you stand by me ?!!!Hold on and never let me go .

Will you stand by me?!! With you i know i belong . When the story gets told .

When day turns into night .I look into your eyes . I see my future now .All the world and its wonder

This love wont fade away.And through the hardest days . I will never question us .You are the reason my only reason.

I'm blessed to find what i need in a world loosing hope. you are my only believe .

You make things right every time after time.....

Will you stand by me ?!!!

I love you so much and i miss you so much more .

anm68b54b0b16262b16.gif

Tunji&Toyin Contributor

Tunji&Toyin   0

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

I agree, I think as long as you can read and obtain all the documents without troubles. Do it yourself! You will feel much more vindicated! You can hire a lawyer, if you run into any snags. Just make sure everything is accurate and true.

brnidokiegurl Grand Master

brnidokiegurl   0

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

talk with others from your area, or if u forsee anything ahead then decide, but usually most would say no

TIMELINE

04/04/2007 K1 Interview from H...w/the devil herself

06/12/2007 Rec'd Notification Case Now Back In Calif. only to expire

-------------

11/20/2007 Married in Morocco

02/23/2008 Mailed CR1 application today

03/08/2008 NOA1 Notice Recd (notice date 3/4/08)

08/26/2008 File transfered fr Vermont to Calif

10/14/2008 APPROVALLLLLLLLLLLL

10/20/2008 Recd hard copy NOA2

10/20/2008 NVC Recd case

11/21/2008 CASE COMPLETE

01/15/2009 INTERVIEW

01/16/2009 VISA IN HAND

01/31/2009 ARRIVED OKC

BE WHO YOU ARE AND SAY WHAT YOU FEEL, BECAUSE THOSE WHO MIND DONT MATTER AND THOSE WHO MATTER DONT MIND

YOU CANT CHANGE THE PAST BUT YOU CAN RUIN THE PRESENT BY WORRYING OVER THE FUTURE

TRIP.... OVER LOVE, AND YOU CAN GET UP

FALL.... IN LOVE, AND YOU FALL FOREVER

I DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, JUST NOT THE ABILITY

LIKE THE MEASLES, LOVE IS MOST DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES LATER IN LIFE

LIFE IS NOT THE WAY ITS SUPPOSED TO BE, ITS THE WAY IT IS

I MAY NOT BE WHERE I WANT TO BE BUT IM SURE NOT WHERE I WAS

Cmehat Explorer

Cmehat   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

you will be so much happier than you did it yourself. Make sure you keep all the evidence from DR. My fiance is also Dominican but he's from the states. His mother has seen a lot of couples file for the I130 on their own and it takes next to no time compared to filing to an attorney. Good luck! Keep posting if you need any help and everyone here is wonderful. They will all help you. Congrats on your wedding!

 
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