In the US with K3 - do we need a lawyer's help?

[iuliana 0]

Hi everybody,

Here s our story:

Im married to a US citizen, and im in US.

Im from Romania, and i had the interview for a K3 visa this month in Bucharest, i arrived in the US last week.

We had a lawyer helping us with all this K3 visa process, but he didnt tell us anything about the AOS that we are suppose to go for, once im hereor about how much it will cost us

So, we called the lawyer, and he told us that its gonna be another 3000 dollars for the AOS and EAD...#######?????

We realized we should have done the CR1 in stead of K3, but now its too late.

The question is:

Can we do the AOS ourselves?

With this recession thing going on...we wont be able to pay that much money to a lawyer....and its a vicious circle...if we dont do the AOS, i wont be able to work, but in order to do it...we need money we dont have right now.

Do we really need a laywer for this?

Had somebody did this without a lawyer?

Any advice would be helpfull to us.

Thanks in advance!!

[Inky 1,110]

The cost of AOS is 1010$ (this includes biometrics, EAD and AP ).

AOS does not need a lawyer ( unless you have had previous problems and think you may have problems again ) and you would be paying extra for the lawyer ontop of the 1010$.

[iuliana 0]

Thank you very much!!!

We didnt have problems before.

Just that...we dont know what to do...where to go...who to call...

we will read all about this here...on vj

We really hope everything will be ok...and we can do this!!

Thanks again!!

[Inky 1,110]

Thank you very much!!!

We didnt have problems before.

Just that...we dont know what to do...where to go...who to call...

we will read all about this here...on vj

We really hope everything will be ok...and we can do this!!

Thanks again!!

AOS is very easy, you just need to fill out the forms and gather the evidence, you will need 6 passport photos 2 for each thing.

Your lawyer wants to charge you 1,990$ ontop of the actual AOS fee which is crazy and yea money is tight. Im quite sure you guys are able to do it yourselfs.

Here is a step-by - step guide from VJ to help you out with the stuff you need to do and fill out .

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

[iuliana 0]

Ok, thank you!

So we should do the AOS , not the CR1???

Which one is less expensive?

I guess AOS is what we should do!...im not sure... I read that the Cr1 does not require teh AOS

[Dakine 26]

Ok, thank you!

So we should do the AOS , not the CR1???

Which one is less expensive?

I guess AOS is what we should do!...im not sure... I read that the Cr1 does not require teh AOS

Doing the CR-1 is WAY better and won't cost that much more. Just the plane trip to take the interview.

No need to do AOS. You will get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after you come back to the US.

Edited November 24, 2009 by Dakine

[iuliana 0]

Thank u!

How much will it take to do the CR1? we have the I129 and the I 130 approved.

So, i will have to go back to Romania...that will be 1000 $ for the plane ticket...and then wait for the Cr1...and then come back here?

What other costs should be expect? are there ither fees or...??

Everything is so confusing right now....

[payxibka 10,045]

Ok, thank you!

So we should do the AOS , not the CR1???

Which one is less expensive?

I guess AOS is what we should do!...im not sure... I read that the Cr1 does not require teh AOS

Doing the CR-1 is WAY better and won't cost that much more. Just the plane trip to take the interview.

No need to do AOS. You will get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after you come back to the US.

I would think the plane ticket/visa fees/medical exam fees would be far more expensive than simply doing AOS sine she is already here

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Ok, thank you!

So we should do the AOS , not the CR1???

Which one is less expensive?

I guess AOS is what we should do!...im not sure... I read that the Cr1 does not require teh AOS

Doing the CR-1 is WAY better and won't cost that much more. Just the plane trip to take the interview.

No need to do AOS. You will get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after you come back to the US.

She is already in the US dude, please read a bit more carefully. Hence, the CR-1 process is not needed/possible.

Juliana: you need only to Adjust your Status (AOS). Check out the guides for the process.

[iuliana 0]

Ok, now i got it!

The AOS is what we have to do, and we can do it without a lawyer! It will cost 1010, and it will take 2-3 months! M i right?

We thought that everything is done with the K3, and we wont have to do anything else...

Thank you!!!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Ok, now i got it!

The AOS is what we have to do, and we can do it without a lawyer! It will cost 1010, and it will take 2-3 months! M i right?

We thought that everything is done with the K3, and we wont have to do anything else...

Thank you!!!

Not quite. The entire AOs process might take a bit longer; though usually it is relatively painless. It does cost you $1010

when you file for your AOS, you will also file for your EAD (employment authorization) and AP (Advanced Parole); which usuall yyou will get within 60-90 days, tops.

and best of luck

[Dakine 26]

Ok, thank you!

So we should do the AOS , not the CR1???

Which one is less expensive?

I guess AOS is what we should do!...im not sure... I read that the Cr1 does not require teh AOS

Doing the CR-1 is WAY better and won't cost that much more. Just the plane trip to take the interview.

No need to do AOS. You will get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after you come back to the US.

She is already in the US dude, please read a bit more carefully. Hence, the CR-1 process is not needed/possible.

Juliana: you need only to Adjust your Status (AOS). Check out the guides for the process.

You should get updated on the Life Act. That's how the K3 was created allowing people to get to the US faster and return home to get the CR-1.

Just a few reasons why to go with the CR-1. If you are eligible for a IR-1 then you would be nuts going with a K3!

The K3 has to adjust status which cost $1010 + $131 visas application fee.

Have to go thru the cost and hassles of getting a I-693 also.

K3 normally has to do biometrics and have a AOS interview. Time off from work cost the petitioner. PLUS the hassles of submitting the paperwork and going for the interview. Tain’t fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

That’s the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesn’t happen much but it happens.

K3 has to wait about 90 days after they file to get EAD or GC so they can get SSN and be able to work.

CR-1 can work as soon as they get the GC and SS card in the mail. Normally with 6 weeks.

Can’t do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas don’t get GC for a LONG time.

If petitioner goes belly up before you get GC you stand a chance of being deported.

If the petitioner loses his/her job after the interview you don’t have to worry about getting a co sponsor to adjust status!

CR-1 cost about $470

Get their GC and SS card in the mail within 6 weeks of arrival.

No biometrics , dealing with civil surgeons, AOS interviews, going to SSA for SS card.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things.

Bottomline is anyone that goes with the K3 the way things are now are masochist!

Yeah I did but at that time K3s were a LOT faster. That’s not the case anymore.

[iuliana 0]

Ok, thank you!!

The thing is that my husband lost his job...i cant get a job...and the idea of going back to Romania...waiting for the CR1...then coming back...sound a lil bit scary...he will have to prove he can support me AGAIN...and we will be apart AGAIN...

Im not sure if i understand correctly what r we suppose to do, and which one is the best way to deal with all this.

How long will i have to wait there for the CR1 interview?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

You should get updated on the Life Act. That's how the K3 was created allowing people to get to the US faster and return home to get the CR-1.

Just a few reasons why to go with the CR-1. If you are eligible for a IR-1 then you would be nuts going with a K3!

The K3 has to adjust status which cost $1010 + $131 visas application fee.

Have to go thru the cost and hassles of getting a I-693 also.

K3 normally has to do biometrics and have a AOS interview. Time off from work cost the petitioner. PLUS the hassles of submitting the paperwork and going for the interview. Tain’t fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

That’s the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesn’t happen much but it happens.

K3 has to wait about 90 days after they file to get EAD or GC so they can get SSN and be able to work.

CR-1 can work as soon as they get the GC and SS card in the mail. Normally with 6 weeks.

Can’t do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas don’t get GC for a LONG time.

If petitioner goes belly up before you get GC you stand a chance of being deported.

If the petitioner loses his/her job after the interview you don’t have to worry about getting a co sponsor to adjust status!

CR-1 cost about $470

Get their GC and SS card in the mail within 6 weeks of arrival.

No biometrics , dealing with civil surgeons, AOS interviews, going to SSA for SS card.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things.

Bottomline is anyone that goes with the K3 the way things are now are masochist!

Yeah I did but at that time K3s were a LOT faster. That’s not the case anymore.

She is already in the US. I agree with the K-3 being a lame visa; but she is already state side.

juli, you can of course go back to Romania and re-start the process; but why on earth would you want to if you can adjust status from within here?

I am not aware of the wait times for interviews in Romania --- how long did you originally wait for your K-3 interview?

[iuliana 0]

I ve waited 4 months.

Its ok, we will do the AOS here, it seems to be the smartest thing in this moment... i think...

Thanks!