K-1...DIY?

[Sam C. 0]

Welcome,

If you have ever done any major do it yourself type of things then filing for K-1 should be about as difficult as remodling an entire kitchen by yourself and having it pass certified inspection. If you don't to it to code the inspector will tell you to do it again. Same thing with the visa.

So you got to ask yourself. Do you feel lucky? Well do ya?

I'm doing mine by myself at the moment and have made a few mistakes but no major problems right now... My finace's passport photos were in the wrong size... make sure they are to US 2x2 standards. Immunizations are not required at the moment but they will help out if you are able to get them logged into your medical exam for your K-1 visa.

Read all the rules. Check everything thrice. Think about it and look into it everyday for the next 10 months and you'll do fine.

Good luck.

[LonnieNCarmie 0]

If you have the time, and pay attention to detail this site will help you 100%. If you have extra money to spend get an attorney. I did it myself, and saved the money I would have paid the attorney to take another trip to see my Fiancee in the Phils.

If you have confidence do it yourself just check your package 10x before you send it out to avoid mistakes and make a duplicate of all items sent.

Good Luck

[endoftheroad 1]

You (American) can do it yourself if you can collect info and fill in forms. But it all depends if your foreign fiance can do the same (collect info and fill in USA forms - plus get things translated in English - plus notarized where applicable - etc. Many countries the fiance will get a glazed looked in their eyes with this process, having never done ANYTHING like this before. That is when assistance is needed. We hired a person that helps foreign fiances get it all together. Not a lawyer but a person with a proven record of success.

[David Allen 3]

You can definitely do it yourself, all you need to do is just take a little time to pay attention to detail. It seems overwhelming at first but once you get into it it's not so bad.

My fiance and I actually wound up filling in the forms about 3 times - we were temporarily engaged about a year ago, but decided we weren't ready just yet, but had filled in the forms twice (first time was a practice run) anyway. We got engaged again, officially, in April, and doing the paperwork all over again was much easier since we knew what to expect. I definitely suggest just going through everything once or twice until you're familiar with it, corresponding with the guides and sample forms you'll find here on VJ, and writing down any questions you have so that you can come back and ask. We're all happy to help you through the process and since most of us have done / are doing it for themselves with no lawyers, we can speak from experience.

Welcome to VJ and best of luck on your journey!

I very much agree... With a bit of help from this website and good attention to detail, it isn't that difficult to do it yourself - provided your personal situations don't present any unusual problems. In our case I think not being especially organized or that attentive to detail probably cost us an extra 5 months. (ok - so it was mostly my attention to detail) I'm not saying that you necessarily need to have a lawyer do it for you.. but if you do decide to do it yourself, then make sure you read this website thouroughly and ask a lot of questions. You can usually get some good answers to your questions in a lot shorter time than it takes to get in touch with a lawyer.

-David and Supattra

[DaleandPat 0]

I'm getting ready to start the K-1 process. My fiancee had talked with somebody who just got their K-1. She said it took about 1 year and that they used an immigration attorney. I've noticed a lot of people on this site have had their visa from The Philippines after around 6 months.

Did most of you file for the visa or your own or did you hire an attorney? The girl suggested we use an attorney. Since I have obviously never gone through this before and I hear about problems a lot, I was starting to consider it. Now that I have found this website, I'm gaining some confidence for doing it myself. I can't see how much a local immigration attorney could do other than fill out the forms, and I'm a little skeptical of the websites out there that claim to work the entire visa process. It seems like an easy scam.

I guess I'm just looking for other's opinions or reassurance.

If you use the link at the top of the page called Guides it will take you to the K1 guide. Use the guides as your main source of info. Also use the PDF files from the USCIS for filling out some of the forms. I used the K1 guide with the exception of final assembly. I used the recommendations from the USCIS in using the two hole ACCO fasteners and tabs at the bottom of the pages that divide the whole package according to table of contents. Yes, do it yourself.

[Starlight95 1]

I am using an attorney, but yes they do take a bit longer in sending the paperwork. But, my situation was a little complicated so I just wanted to be safe and make sure I have no problems. I think attorneys can not speed it up or neither can they slow it down once the paperwork is submitted. I did not get my NOA1, but my attorney got it. They were good about calling me about it as soon as they recieved it. I don't think it takes a year, but more like 7 months max. This the reason why people due the K-1 fiance visa as its a shorter waiting period for your loved one to get in the states. If you feel confident in doing yourself than that is the faster way to go.

Your 7 months is a bit off, this is highly variable based upon the wait for an interview at the consulate. Luckily the PI are pretty quick

Yeah, but 7 months is the average.