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Merly y David

lawyer or no lawyer

By Merly y David in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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12 posts in this topic

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moroccogirlny Proficient

moroccogirlny   100

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Which is faster filing the papers yourself or using a lawyers office.

Using a lawyer will not speed up the process. If you check the "guides" here you can do this on your own and save those dollars for use down the road. Good luck.

01/2006 - Filed k1(1st time)

04/2006 - Interview (1st time) denied

Waited, waited...... no review

06/2009 - Filed k1 (2nd time)

09/2009 - NOA 2 approved

12/2009 - Interview (2nd time) APPROVED! VISA ISSUED

02/2010 - Arrived USA

04/2010 - Married

AOS Timeline

4/19/2010-Sent to Chicago Lockbox

4/26/2010-Received texts and emails 7th day

4/30/2010-Received NOA's(Hardcopies) 11th day

5/3/2010-Received ASC appointment notice(mailed 4/29/2010)14th day

5/7/2010-Walk-in Biometrics done(2 weeks earlier)18th day

5/13/2010-Case transferred to CSC

6/2/2010- Case received/resumed at CSC

6/18,6/22,6/23 AOS touches

6/28/2010- EAD production and touch on AP

6/29/2010-AOS APPROVED

7/2/2010- 2nd update on EAD production and touched on AP....

7/6/2010- Received "Welcome Letter" and AP document

7/12/2010-Received GREEN CARD and EAD

greencard.jpg

OBX Mentor

OBX   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

I agree (unless you have a complicated case) ; in fact it may even slow things down! Have a read...Lies my lawyer told me!

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

IndigoSkies Experienced

IndigoSkies   168

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Bangladesh
 Timeline
Posted

If you have a straight forward scenarios, skip the lawyer. You'll end up saving few grands and feel smarter at the end of the process for having gone through it without any lawyers.

N400 CITIZENSHIP STAGE

23-DEC-2016 -:- N400 form mailed to Dallas, TX Lockbox (USPS EXPRESS)

27-DEC-2016 -:- N400 form delivered/picked up by USCIS

01-JAN-2017 -:- N400 form fee check cashed by USCIS

04-JAN-2017 -:- N400 form received per NOA1

09-JAN-2017 -:- N400 form NOA1 notice date

14-JAN-2017 -:- N400 form NOA1 on hand through USPS

30-JAN-2017 -:- N400 fingerprint taken

01-FEB-2017 -:- N400 interview schedule process started

26-JUL-2017 -:- N400 interview date set (01SEP2017)

29-JUL-2017 -:- N400 interview letter on hand

01-SEP-2017 -:- N400 interview date - Interview passed

10-OCT-2017-:- N400 oath ceremony letter on hand (oath on 26OCT2017)

engineer21 Proficient

engineer21   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Indonesia
 Timeline
Posted

Same here I vote no lawyer if your case is straightforward.

I have definitely heard of lawyers slowing things down.

USCIS have been known to send certain correspondence only to the lawyer and then the applicant does not hear about it immediately.

Good luck!!

AOS 05/08/10 - sent05/14/10 - receipt date on NOAs - transferred to National Benefits Center06/14/10 - Biometrics Done - Lawrence, MA (original appt)07/26/10 - Interview - APPROVED!!07/30/10 - Welcome letter rec'd (notice date: 07/26)08/05/10 - Green Card (&EAD) Received! - 2 months and 28 days total!ROC 04/28/12 - ROC package sent05/03/12 - check cashed05/04/12 - NOA1 received - dated 05/01/1206/07/12 - Biometrics done02/07/13 - Approved (status update via text msg)02/14/13 - Ten year Green card receivedNaturalization07/26/13 - eligible (90 day window opened 4/27/13)02/24/14 - N-400 sent to Dallas03/04/14 - Check cashed & case accepted (update via txt & email)03/10/14 - Biometrics appt letter rec'd (scheduled for 03/28/13)03/28/14 - Biometrics done04/01/14 - In line for interview 04/03/14 - Case status change to scheduled for interview04/10/14 - interview letter rec'd 5/13/14 - interview 6/3/14 - in line for oath 6/30/14 - Scheduled for oath
Darnell Grand Master

Darnell   8,479

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I'll suggest a coupla things, maybe (maybe...) help you to decide whether you need an attorney or not.

a. read the VJ guides. map the steps out on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

b. Read the USCIS web portal about the forms. Map out the steps on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

c. Practice filling out the forms, at least 5 times. See if anything still doesn't make sense to you.

d. Have any red flags? Practice writing up attestation letters about each red flag.

Now, after doing (with major emphasis on DOING ) all of the above, if you do NOT understand the forms and the process and potential red flags for your petition,

then I'd suggest getting a good IMMIGRATION lawyer.

However - you are asking about 'speed things up' ?

Pardon, never, no, non, bu hao la - having an attorney in the loop NEVER speeds things up.

Ever.

Usually, has opposite effect, of slowing things down. OBX gave you a link to read - please, do make some time, and read it, soonish ?

Welcome to VJ, btw - this is a GREAT DIY Immigration Web Portal, with emphasis on 'Y', and 'D'.

Edited by Darnell

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

M J Woods Explorer

M J Woods   1

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Turkey
 Timeline
Posted

Using a lawyer will not speed up the process. If you check the "guides" here you can do this on your own and save those dollars for use down the road. Good luck.

Off-topic... your picture ("Welcome to America") cracks me up. It's sad but too true.

Which is faster filing the papers yourself or using a lawyers office.

It's all been said already, but yeah, you don't really need a lawyer. Unless you've committed murder or something that would complicate things tremendously. But I've heard some horror stories about lawyers making stupid mistakes. After all, it's just a job for them, but it's your LOVE and your LIFE for you.

You can do it!

Married: March 16, 2010
Sent I-130: March 31, 2010
NOA1: April 21, 2010
Check cashed: April 22, 2010
Touched: April 23, 2010
NOA2: October 2, 2010
DONE with USCIS

NVC Received: October 27, 2010
Received DS-3032/I-864 bill: October 30, 2010
Paid I-864 bill: November 3, 2010
I-864 bill shows as PAID: November 5, 2010
Receive I-864 package: ????
Return completed I-864: ????
Return completed DS-3032 (email): November 4, 2010
Return completed DS-3032 (mail mail): November 24, 2010
Receive IV bill: ????
Pay IV bill: ????

ENTERED US: August 17, 2011

Removal of Conditions

Mail package to California Service Center: ????

Receive NOA: ????

Biometrics appointment: ????

Conditions removed: ????


event.png

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   46,311

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Darnell's post is the only one in this thread that truly hits the mark. It's irresponsible for anyone here to say "you do not need a lawyer" without knowing every detail of your situation, your potential beneficiary's situation, and your abilities to read, comprehend, and complete forms accurately.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Nica_In_Love Proficient

Nica_In_Love   98

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nicaragua
 Timeline
Posted

A short answer would be "No, having a lawyer do the filing does NOT speed up anything".

I suggest you follow what Darnell said. If all of this paperwork does not make sense to you and you feel you're going to make mistakes then do get a good immigration attorney. If not, then you can perfectly do it yourself. We did ours with a lawyer upon insistence of my husband (who felt he could easily mess up everything), but I never took the time to review the actual paperwork needed and I didn't know about VJ at the moment, if I had, I would have filled out all the paperwork myself. As a matter of fact our lawyer, although he is a good immigration attorney, lost 3 months of our time because he ended up filing our petition until February 2010 and we had gotten married in October 2009.

Good luck!

SuperDuper! Mentor

SuperDuper!   230

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

You don't need a lawyer if you have a plain vanilla case without complicated factors. Ignore the lovefest that says to the contrary.

Fill the forms out yourself and save a bundle of time and money.

Really. Save the drama for the reality shows.

You will do just fine,

Things do get Darn weird here.

Good Luck.

:star:

Sign-on-a-church-af.jpgLogic-af.jpgwwiao.gif

kruz_patz Rising Star

kruz_patz   22

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: India
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

If case is normal, simple peace of cake..........than don't hire lawyer and just give him money for nothing, afterall you have to prepare documents yourself.......he is not going to do a shiettt for you......he is just going to order....bla bla bla.....if you need a real legal advise in your case, because your case is diff. compare to traditional other cases, if you don't know the process and don't have time to spend time behind knowing it..................than yes do hire him.......forget everything and just hire him....but otherwise you can just go along on your own..........

Edited by kruz_patz

Atlanta, GA (MM-DD-YYYY)
I-130 (IR-1) TIMELINE [MUMBAI CONSULATE]
07-02-2020 - I-130 SENT
06-01-2021 - APPROVED

NVC
06-06-2021 - Recevied NVC case no. - case entered into nvc's system

06-08-2021 - AOS fee
06-08-2021 - IV fee
07-05-2021 - IV & AOS documents submitted online

07-19-2021 - received message from NVC about case can not be processed unless all civil documents are submitted (was missing police clearance)

08-12-2021 - submitted police clearance certificate - which was last document submitted to NVC

11-05-2021 - Case completed at NVC - DQ

03-31-2022 - Interview letter received

04-28-2022 - Interview date at mumbai embassy

 

Darnell Grand Master

Darnell   8,479

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Things do get Darn weird here.

Hi Hopp ! Thanks for checking in, again ! Yup - I see you .. Yay !

Wordplay is fun, yes? But oh so distracting from the actual topic... Great for OT, useless for a top-level forum.

Is interesting pattern yer making, yes?

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

 
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