Visa Journey Cost?

[Abby62 23]

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I can't seem to quickly find the answer here and i'm brand new at this.

I was curious as to how much the whole visa journey is going to cost? From filling out the first form to the end?

I was just looking for a ball park figure.

Also, we have purchased a book entitled: Fiance and Marriage Visas, which looks a bit overwhelming at the moment.

http://www.amazon.com/Fiance-Marriage-Visa...7755&sr=8-1

Just wondering if people have just filled out the forms themselves and submitted them, or had to go through an immigration attorney every step of the way?

Thanks to all!!!

[almaty 19]

well known vj fact for nOObs..if you got to ask about the cost ,...then you cannot afford it.....

the cost is one issue as the wait and paperwork is another.....

[Nagishkaw 510]

well known vj fact for nOObs..if you got to ask about the cost ,...then you cannot afford it.....

the cost is one issue as the wait and paperwork is another.....

[Abby62 23]

well known vj fact for nOObs..if you got to ask about the cost ,...then you cannot afford it.....

the cost is one issue as the wait and paperwork is another.....

Trust me, cost is NOT an issue, it's just curiosity for me!

[sly_wolf 199]

well known vj fact for nOObs..if you got to ask about the cost ,...then you cannot afford it.....

the cost is one issue as the wait and paperwork is another.....

Trust me, cost is NOT an issue, it's just curiosity for me!

Depends on the visa. For a K1 I believe at least $1500. Post your question in the Canada forum

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

[almaty 19]

mr. tri gear..if you wish i can move this thread to the canadian forum..your call..

[Ban Hammer 13,586]

moved from off topic to canadian regional as suggested earlier.

Edited August 25, 2009 by charles!

[Abby62 23]

moved from off topic to canadian regional as suggested earlier.

Okay, thanks, I didn't see a Canadian forum!

[sly_wolf 199]

moved from off topic to canadian regional as suggested earlier.

Okay, thanks, I didn't see a Canadian forum!

The majority of people here have done it without any lawyer. Read the guides below:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

It tells you what forms need to be completed and then you can look up the cost for filing each one.

By the way .. welcome to VJ

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I bought a fiance/marriage visa book way back before I realized that I'd need it.

It's very useful if you don't really get much support from anyone.

It answers the questions in the paperwork # by # and explains the costs (Which are now wrong, due to the book's version).

I still find this forum to be way more useful and helps take the stress away more than a book does.

[NickD 203]

Just go to USCIS Forms and read the fee rates, I-693 is free, but a doc can charge as high as $5,000.00 per person so you really have to shop around, most health insurance doesn't cover this expense and they get you by you can only use a USCIS approved doctor. If marrying a gal with a couple of kids, whatever the fees are multiply that by three.

If the supporting documents ain't in English, can try to translate those yourself, we preferred to use a certified translator, that cost a couple of bucks. If there are errors like typographical from a corrupt government in the foreign country, would also cost a couple of bucks and a couple of more if you want those corrected in this century. If the kids are in joint custody, another couple of bucks to get full physical custody so legal to bring them here, not only with the foreign country, but also with the USCIS.

Yeah, it can cost a couple of bucks to bring people here legally, and if you don't fill out every form exactly like how the USCIS wants you to, they can reject your application and keep your fees. Even after you spend a couple of bucks for all these forms, they then accuse you of fraud, everyone is guilty of fraud in their eyes, so may cost another couple of bucks to prove you are not committing fraud. Makes a guy wonder if the USCIS is guilty of committing fraud in the form of a scam.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Just go to USCIS Forms and read the fee rates, I-693 is free, but a doc can charge as high as $5,000.00 per person so you really have to shop around, most health insurance doesn't cover this expense and they get you by you can only use a USCIS approved doctor. If marrying a gal with a couple of kids, whatever the fees are multiply that by three.

If the supporting documents ain't in English, can try to translate those yourself, we preferred to use a certified translator, that cost a couple of bucks. If there are errors like typographical from a corrupt government in the foreign country, would also cost a couple of bucks and a couple of more if you want those corrected in this century. If the kids are in joint custody, another couple of bucks to get full physical custody so legal to bring them here, not only with the foreign country, but also with the USCIS.

Yeah, it can cost a couple of bucks to bring people here legally, and if you don't fill out every form exactly like how the USCIS wants you to, they can reject your application and keep your fees. Even after you spend a couple of bucks for all these forms, they then accuse you of fraud, everyone is guilty of fraud in their eyes, so may cost another couple of bucks to prove you are not committing fraud. Makes a guy wonder if the USCIS is guilty of committing fraud in the form of a scam.

Considering that the OP is Canadian or marrying the Cdn....the fee isn't going to $5000 for the medical during their K1 in Canada, think it's in the $200-$400 range for the medical itself ... translation won't likely be required unless perhaps the original docs are in French?

Tri - welcome to VJ and in particular, the Canadian Forum, I hope you feel more then welcome posting here...we've got a load of experience to offer! As noted by someone above, no lawyers needed, all teh forms are relatively straight forward...most of us have done it without .

Edited August 25, 2009 by Udella&Wiz

[trailmix 77]

Hi and welcome!!

I'm sure someone has the fees broken down for the K1.

I have to disagree on the comment - "if you have to ask how much it costs you can't afford it". Obviously the OP is being fiscally responsible and looking for a quick answer here, since so many here have filed for K1, i'm sure someone has a ball park figure to share!

Also, for K1 there is the cost of the visa then the cost to adjust status, once you arrive in the U.S.

Edited August 25, 2009 by trailmix

[Abby62 23]

I have to disagree on the comment - "if you have to ask how much it costs you can't afford it". Obviously the OP is being fiscally responsible and looking for a quick answer here, since so many here have filed for K1, i'm sure someone has a ball park figure to share!

Exactly and thank you all for your kind responses. We are just beginning our journey, I am just waiting for the paper version of my "divorce certificate" and then we can get started on filing all of this paper work which at the moment certainly looks overwhelming, but I am an accountant and my SO is an engineer, I think between the two of us, we'll figure it all out..well with any luck..LOL

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hi Tri-Gear,

Welcome to VJ! There are a number of Canadian-American couples who have done/are dong the K-1 route so you should be able to get answers as you go through this process. My K-1 was 6 years ago so the information isn't up to date anymore, but basically the areas where you can expect to pay something are as follows (for an individual - if there are children involved the costs increase):

I-129f petition - $455 - this is sent with the petition by the US petitioner/sponsor. Other incidental costs will include passport photos, copying costs for requested documents (ie birth certificate, divorce documents, etc.); mailing costs

K-1 - this is part 2 of the process after the I-129f petition is approved and the file is sent to the Canadian Consulate where the Canadian partner lives (either Montreal of Vancouver). Costs for this stage of the journey will include:

passport fee (if they don't have a passport yet); copy of long form birth certificate (cost varies for Provinces); Canada wide security check (ranges from free to $35 depending on area), medical exam from Panel Physician (ranges from $280 to $350 lately); travel to get to the medical exam (only a few panel physicians in all of Canada so it will depend on where you are travelling from/to); passport photos; copying costs of documents; postage to send documents to Consulate.

For the Affidavit of Support the US partner provides bank records (may have a fee involved depending on bank); tax transcripts (free from IRS); letter of employment/income to verify petitioner (US partner) meets or exceeds 125% of the poverty level for a household including all members and the beneficiary.

For the interview stage the Canadian beneficiary needs to attend an interview in either Vancouver or Montreal so travelling costs and accommodation costs will be involved here. The beneficiary brings all of the requested documents to the Consulate for the interview. The Visa fee is $131 which is paid at the interview. If the interview is successful then the visa, passport and a sealed envelope containing the immigration file is sent to the beneficiary in a pre-paid Express Post envelope - I think that runs around $20.

So, you see, it is difficult to say how much the actual process will cost as there are variables all along the way.

Other costs along the way will include:

Relocation to the US: this can be as simple as an airplane ticket and luggage costs or involve moving vans if there are household goods involved. Depending on the weight of goods and distance they will travel and the means you use to get them here it could add up to several thousand dollars.

You do need to remember that the fiancee visa is only permission for the foreign partner to enter the US for 90 days, get married and then start part 2 of the process - apply for permission to remain in the US. That is called Adjustment of Status (AOS) and will result in a green card. It requires form I-485. Included in this process will be a form that requests permission to work in the US while waiting for the green card to arrive and a form that requests permission to travel outside of and return to the US while waiting for the green card. All of these forms come under one fee of $1010.

If you are married less than 2 years when the green card is approved the green card is considered 'conditional' and is only valid for 2 years. 90 days before that green card expires, the beneficiary needs to apply to 'remove conditions' and obtain unconditional permanent residency with a green card that needs to be renewed every 10 years. Removal of Conditions form I-751 fee is $545. As you need also to prove that your marriage is a real marriage and not one entered to bypass the immigration process there will also be a lot of copying costs as you need to provide specific evidence.

If, after all this, the Canadian partner wishes to escape the clutches of money-grubbing USCIS once and for all ( ), he/she can apply for US citizenship at a cost of $675. While the US doesn't officially recognize dual citizenship, Canada does so Canadians become dual US/Canadian citizens as the US cannot take away their Canadian citizenship.

Ok - that is what you get to look forward to over the next 4 or 5 years. The best advice I can give is to be aware that there are needs ahead that you will have to address but don't worry about them now - focus on the present stage of the journey. Learn what you can about the process and take it one step at a time. You don't need a lawyer for this unless you have something unusual (past criminal history, etc.) about your circumstances. Visa Journey is also a great resource as well as a great source of support as you 'wait' and 'wait' and 'wait' at the various stages of the process.

Good luck to you.

Edited August 25, 2009 by Kathryn41