Do things go faster when using an Immigration Lawyer?

[Ted and Marina 0]

Lawyers CANNOT speed the process and generally slow it down by not giving it the priority you would. Given the documents you need, You could download and complete an I-129f package yet tonight and have it out in the mail tomorrow morning. An attorney cannot do that. WILL not do that.

This is about the best example of what a lawyer will do for your money.

I am using a lawyer, and I agree that they waist too much time.

But I did not want to do the paperwork, so I paid for that.

And they are not all the same...I think I got a lazy one.

As Marina has found another K-1 in same city, using a lawyer, started after we did, and they already has interview date, we do not.

Edited September 17, 2009 by Ted and Marina

[Ginalisa 0]

Lawyers can't assure you to get a visa.

It's better if you process it by your own.

No hassle and no money wasted.

[ZorValachan 0]

We are having one slight problem with the forms and wondering how other people handled this.. his address won't fit in the spaces allowed. We've tried to alter the address a little, to make it fit, but then it's not accurate. There seems to be no way to fit the correct address on them.. same thing happens with parents date of birth. It does not fit properly and half the year disappears from the form.

If there is a way to change the font on these, to make them smaller, we can't figure it out.

Did anyone else run into the problem with a really long international address not fitting in the spaces allowed.. or the problem with the dates of birth not fitting properly? How did you make it work?

In answer to this question. Fill out the entire form on the computer that DOES fit (leave the parts that do not fit blank). Then print the form. Then go back and neatly write (print, not cursive) in pen the information that did not fit (my fiancee's city name was too long to fit, so this is what we did). Then take this and make however many backup copies you want (I advise at least 3 complete packages. 1 for what you send in, 1 for you, and 1 for your fiance(e)). Lastly, sign each copy with a pen for 'original signatures'. Now you have the copies you need to send in the package as well as back-ups in case anything is lost. If anything is lost, just grab it from your back up and send it in. I did this with the I-129f, G-325a, Letters of Intent, everything.

Edited September 17, 2009 by ZorValachan

[D&R 0]

I recently retained a lawyer for the K1 Process, as we've been through two visitor visa denials, and want to do everything we can to make sure the K1 is not denied. The lawyer said we could most likely get through everything quickly and would take about 3 months.

In everything I have read, it seems like it is taking 5 months or more just to get to the point where the information is sent to the Consulate in the beneficiaries home country. I don't want to think my lawyer is just telling me what I want to hear, but it sure seems like it is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Did anyone use a lawyer and find things went pretty quickly? I read one post where someone said it seemed to take them longer with the use of a lawyer. I know we could do this on our own, but we really think it's smarter to use a lawyer because of the other visa denials. FYI... reason for denials was not being able to show enough proof of reason to return.

IF you can get a K1 Visa in your passport within 3 months using this lawyer.... please let us all know who he is!!

All they do is give you the forms to fill in and send back to them.... which then sits in their office until they have time to check them and send them on. Thus... taking more time!

I'm a bit confused on the reason for denials. You were denied because you didn't have enough proof to show a good reason to 'return'? Surely if you're marrying and moving to the states.... you wouldn't be returning? (I know you need good proof if you're "visiting" during a K1 Visa)

[Ling Ling 22]

Your case will take longer than it would have if you did it yourself (all else equal) and cost a whole lot more.

eYep, I have never heard of ANYONE using a lawyer and it not taking longer.

To put it another way...if you have sight and hearing, could you cross the street faster on your own, or waiting for a lawyer who's

being paid to cross 20 other people? The light changes when it changes....the lawyer can't change the timing of the light, but he can

surely have you waiting at the corner longer...and poorer.

Invest the money you'd waste on a lawyer into a good laptop, printer, webcam for yourself and fiance. It'll go a long way in helping you

with the paperwork, staying in touch, and staying sane.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Lawyers CANNOT speed the process and generally slow it down by not giving it the priority you would. Given the documents you need, You could download and complete an I-129f package yet tonight and have it out in the mail tomorrow morning. An attorney cannot do that. WILL not do that.

This is about the best example of what a lawyer will do for your money.

I am using a lawyer, and I agree that they waist too much time.

But I did not want to do the paperwork, so I paid for that.

And they are not all the same...I think I got a lazy one.

As Marina has found another K-1 in same city, using a lawyer, started after we did, and they already has interview date, we do not.

The timing of the other persons interview has NOTHING to do with her attorney. Nothing. Check the VJ timelines and you will see that petition approvals vary by MONTHS in timing. Approvals range from 30-180 days or more and there is no rhyme or reason to it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I recently retained a lawyer for the K1 Process, as we've been through two visitor visa denials, and want to do everything we can to make sure the K1 is not denied. The lawyer said we could most likely get through everything quickly and would take about 3 months.

In everything I have read, it seems like it is taking 5 months or more just to get to the point where the information is sent to the Consulate in the beneficiaries home country. I don't want to think my lawyer is just telling me what I want to hear, but it sure seems like it is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Did anyone use a lawyer and find things went pretty quickly? I read one post where someone said it seemed to take them longer with the use of a lawyer. I know we could do this on our own, but we really think it's smarter to use a lawyer because of the other visa denials. FYI... reason for denials was not being able to show enough proof of reason to return.

IF you can get a K1 Visa in your passport within 3 months using this lawyer.... please let us all know who he is!!

All they do is give you the forms to fill in and send back to them.... which then sits in their office until they have time to check them and send them on. Thus... taking more time!

I'm a bit confused on the reason for denials. You were denied because you didn't have enough proof to show a good reason to 'return'? Surely if you're marrying and moving to the states.... you wouldn't be returning? (I know you need good proof if you're "visiting" during a K1 Visa)

You are fortunate to live in a VWP country. It is next to impossible for a Ukrainian, for example, to receive a visitor visa for the USA. You can just get on a plane and go, answer a few simple questions at the POE and go to Disney World. My wife was flatly and rudely denied after waiting some weeks for an interview to attend a business convention in New York, paid for by her company with definite return dates, with a job paying 5 times the national average of Ukraine , owning in full TWO apartments and having two children she would leave behind while on her 9 day trip. Not only was she denied she was treated like such "a monkey" she left the place horrified and scared to death to go back to the consulate for our fiancee interview. Had I not been with her, I think she would have fainted dead away before ever getting in the door, seriously. The fiancee interview was about as easy and pleasant an experience as one could even imagine. The whole world of difference. And the B2 denial was never even mentioned.

The really funny thing (not really) is when you say something like this to people they think it is because Ukraine was the Soviet Union and that UKRAINE does not let people travel freely. People nearly swallow their tongues when I tell them "No, it is the UNITED STATES that doesn't let Ukrainians travel freely"

Edited September 17, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[familyguy 2]

One thing is 100% guaranteed to go faster if you use a lawyer

Your cash.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

I recently retained a lawyer for the K1 Process, as we've been through two visitor visa denials, and want to do everything we can to make sure the K1 is not denied. The lawyer said we could most likely get through everything quickly and would take about 3 months.

In everything I have read, it seems like it is taking 5 months or more just to get to the point where the information is sent to the Consulate in the beneficiaries home country. I don't want to think my lawyer is just telling me what I want to hear, but it sure seems like it is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Did anyone use a lawyer and find things went pretty quickly? I read one post where someone said it seemed to take them longer with the use of a lawyer. I know we could do this on our own, but we really think it's smarter to use a lawyer because of the other visa denials. FYI... reason for denials was not being able to show enough proof of reason to return.

Adjudication of your case solely depends on the USCIS no lawyer can expedite how the USCIS processes cases. The only time a lawyer can help speed processing (if at all) is if you you fall outside the normal processing time given by the USCIS. Other then that you will have to wait like everyone else. I was very lucky and had my case approved within 99 days. You may want to consider a lawyer if you feel you have special circumstances that may complicate your case. Good luck! You may want to spend a week looking on this site, there are a lot of great guides and ppl that will help you with most questions you will have.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

One thing is 100% guaranteed to go faster if you use a lawyer

...

Your cash.

Dang! I was going to say that!

[RollingOn 0]

I recently retained a lawyer for the K1 Process, as we've been through two visitor visa denials, and want to do everything we can to make sure the K1 is not denied. The lawyer said we could most likely get through everything quickly and would take about 3 months.

In everything I have read, it seems like it is taking 5 months or more just to get to the point where the information is sent to the Consulate in the beneficiaries home country. I don't want to think my lawyer is just telling me what I want to hear, but it sure seems like it is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Did anyone use a lawyer and find things went pretty quickly? I read one post where someone said it seemed to take them longer with the use of a lawyer. I know we could do this on our own, but we really think it's smarter to use a lawyer because of the other visa denials. FYI... reason for denials was not being able to show enough proof of reason to return.

In our experience, the lawyer is very slow. You, and only you, must do diligence to ensure things keep moving. Our attorney has has more excuses then a cheating husband....... With the same results.

We found we would have been better off and faster by 7 weeks if we had done the work ourselves. We are very disappointed in the attorneys responses and effectiveness.

Was it worth the money and the time? No!!

[Kiv 32]

Im my case the first part of the process was done trough a lawyer.

The lawyer's assistent made some mistakes in the forms that made my process longer.

The rest of the Journey, I took care of it, I saved money and time.

[toma1 10]

I recently retained a lawyer for the K1 Process, as we've been through two visitor visa denials, and want to do everything we can to make sure the K1 is not denied. The lawyer said we could most likely get through everything quickly and would take about 3 months.

In everything I have read, it seems like it is taking 5 months or more just to get to the point where the information is sent to the Consulate in the beneficiaries home country. I don't want to think my lawyer is just telling me what I want to hear, but it sure seems like it is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Did anyone use a lawyer and find things went pretty quickly? I read one post where someone said it seemed to take them longer with the use of a lawyer. I know we could do this on our own, but we really think it's smarter to use a lawyer because of the other visa denials. FYI... reason for denials was not being able to show enough proof of reason to return.

No reason to use a lawyer because you had tourist denials. The two things are not related.

A lawyer will NOT speed up a normal case. You are more likely to stay on top of your case on a day by day basis than your lawyer.

Sometimes a lawyer will slow down a normal case when he/she is incompetent. I've seen it many times.

[anka 1]

The really funny thing (not really) is when you say something like this to people they think it is because Ukraine was the Soviet Union and that UKRAINE does not let people travel freely. People nearly swallow their tongues when I tell them "No, it is the UNITED STATES that doesn't let Ukrainians travel freely"

Oh my goodness I know! The amount of times I've had to explain to people that no, it's not actually Russia - it's the U.S. - and then watch their jaws drop to the floor, is simply countless!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The really funny thing (not really) is when you say something like this to people they think it is because Ukraine was the Soviet Union and that UKRAINE does not let people travel freely. People nearly swallow their tongues when I tell them "No, it is the UNITED STATES that doesn't let Ukrainians travel freely"

Oh my goodness I know! The amount of times I've had to explain to people that no, it's not actually Russia - it's the U.S. - and then watch their jaws drop to the floor, is simply countless!

The amount of people that think this is astounding (embarassing). Can I tell you how many times I have been asked if I "feel safe" in Ukraine or Russia? SAFE? Safe from What? "You know...the KGB."