Approved Today! Advice for those just starting out

[Montalvarez 0]

Hi to all who use visa journey's website.

Today, my wife was approved for her CR-1 visa at the consulate in Ciudad Juarez. It has been a long road and we are very happy that we have made it to what is almost the end of this process.

I have used visa journey to consult with people about their experiences but I also have to commend the publishers at Nolo for a book that has literally been a Bible to me for navigating this process. The book is called Fiance and Marriage Visas. Here's a link: http://www.nolo.com/products/fiance-%26-marriage-visas-IMAR.html

I bought this book at a Barnes and Noble store after I was frustrated with the lack of answers that a $50 consultation with an immigration attorney got me. This book was very easy to read from the beginning and was highly informative. It gave me the confidence to represent my family without having to pay an immigration lawyer or some hack immigration consultant. If you are competent enough to finish high school and pay taxes you can do this process yourself (if your wife or husband has a clean visa history otherwise).

Remember, the immigration system is built to let in the "good guys" and keep out the "bad guys". It is intimidating and time consuming, but patriotically I believe it is fair. The best way you can approach immigrating an alien spouse with or without a lawyer is to INFORM YOURSELF, starting with NOLO's book, then the websites of the State Department. All the information is there for you, you just need to read it.

BY THE WAY-- the $50 dollar consultation that left me confused... turns out they gave me bad information. My wife and I had married in Mexico. The law office told me that I should have her come to the US with her current tourist visa and file an Adjustment of Status. They insisted that I hire them to help me complete the process for $2500, plus all of the visa fees. THANKS TO THIS NOLO BOOK, I learned that what the attorney's office recommended me to do was ILLEGAL and is considered VISA FRAUD, and could've led to my wife being denied her visa and even I could've been punished.

SO-- BEFORE you go hiring a lawyer, and, EVEN BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR WEDDING IF POSSIBLE, READ THIS BOOK and you will know what you are getting into. It can be very tough but this book is a guiding light.

And thank you to God for answering all our prayers and putting all these days of living apart behind us!

[Lia792 5]

Congrats and please write an interview review if you have time!