Newb Introduction

[gtigiant 0]

Hello everybody. New here, but I have been lurking for a week or so. Name is Jake, and I live in Ohio. The background on why I am here is that last year a mutual friend introduced me to a great girl who just happens to live in Lima Peru. Got to know her pretty well, went to visit and things sparked. If things work out like I hope (starting a new job next week that requires a relocation to cleveland), I will be back in Lima in April to officially propose.

With that in mind, I have read many of the faqs and used the search function a bit to see if I can find answers to most of my questions. I understand the timelines involved, paperwork required, etc. for the most part.

A couple of questions tho:

1) It seems that many of the legal groups who work w/ K1 visas throw the fear factor in there saying that doing it yourself you risk lots of tie-ups. Is this truly the case? Should one spend the extra 1500$ or so on someone to draw up the paperwork?

2) It seems from the search function that there is a requirement to be in Peru for the consular interview.... verification?

This is an awesome site. I never would have thought I would be in love with someone and need this information, but what a refreshing resource this is.

Edited February 21, 2006 by gtigiant

[Dixie_Peach 1]

Welcome!

[flipside 0]

Welcome..

1) Do it yourself if you have no legal problems. Almost all of us here did it ourselves with no problems at all. You get scare tatics from the lawyers because they want your money.

2) You are not required to be there for the interview.

Edited February 21, 2006 by flipside

[Brian_bellingham 0]

Most people here did not use a lawyer and did not have a problem. A lawyer would be useful if someone had a more complicated case, for example, the non US Citizen has a criminal record, or has had an overstay and was deported. If it is just a simple, routine case, a lawyer generally is not needed. Also, some people have had lawyers who have made mistakes, since perhaps they don't know a lot about Fiance or Marraige Visas. Others have had lawyers who get back paperwork, but don't act on it right away, since it may just be one of many cases they have.

You can get advice here for free, and it is all you need for a routine case. Read up and study, since there is a lot of work to be done, and you want to be prepared.

As far as being at the interview, you can, but it is not necessary. Unless someone knows something about Peru that I do not.

Welcome!

[trey 0]

Do it yourself and save the $1500. Any questions you have can be answered, found or pointed in your direction on this site.

Welcome to VJ

[meddykomp 0]

As everyone has said, most likely you can handle this on your own. If it does feel too scary and you want professional help but without all that cost, I know a place in Ohio that is helpful and doesnt charge a small fortune. From the looks of it, the K1 is less than $200 for their fees. I am not implying that you need the help, just that I know some people really do want the professional help and I think paying $1500 is rediculous.

[Jasman0717 9]

Welcome to VJ. Many of us did the petitions on our own and got through it just fine. Read the guide here on VJ and then ask question for things you don't understand. Good luck

[snz1802 0]

Welcome to VJ, I would say do it yourself unless there are extreme circumstances involved.

[arwensun1965 1]

Welcome to VJ...you are already doing the right thing by looking at the guides and coming to this site....there is a wealth of information available to you WITHOUT using expensive lawyers. If your case is a straight one then there is no need for them. Good luck ...ask your questions...many on here have done this process by themselves.

Janice

[gtigiant 0]

thanx everybody for the welcome.

The whole process seems a little convaluted and frightening to be quite honest. I am still considering everything that is required. I do have another question tho (since the first was answered so quickly):

- How long does the Advance Parole usually take to issue after the paperwork has been filed?

Reason for this is that she wants to return to Peru for a second ceremony that can be attended by friends/family etc down there ASAP. Just trying to get some realistic expectations.

From what I have seen so far, it seems that the visa process should take 9 to 12 months barring anything crazy happening. Ironically trying to figure all this out is easing my mind from the stress of the relocation to Cleveland with the new job.

[Peter Miami 1]

Hi gtigiant,

Welcome aboard and good luck on your visa journey.

1) You do not need a lawyer, only if your case has criminal problems, overstays, etc.

2) Someone here will give you the correct answer for this question or go to “The Embassy and Consulate General Discussion”.

Also as soon as you can fill-out your timeline in order to help you and other people can use it. Hope this helps and other VJ member will assists you also.

Good luck,

Peter Miami

[Melo 1]

Welcome to VJ

[Brian_bellingham 0]

As far as AP goes, lately it seems to be just about two months, but they also can take a couple of weeks to get it to your door. I would count on at least 3 months from when you file, probably 4 is safer, and would be very careful about putting down a lot of money on any event that can't be refunded if you can't be there in Peru. Sometimes you can get an RFE for AP, like we did (they claimed they did not have her pictures, even though I know we sent them).

[arrowhead 0]

Apply without the lawyer. I did it, and it is not so complicated. There are many forms and documents that you must submit. But almost all of it is easy to learn.

The lawyer fees remind me of men who pay $10,000 to a marriage agency to find them a wife abroad, when there are many free websites that do the same thing. I have a friend who married a Russian woman who was in the US on a student visa. They use a lawyer for everything. They are still using the lawyer now to get her citizenship, because she has been here for 6 years. Over the years, this couple has sunk thousands of dollars on lawyers, when they could have done everything themselves for practically nothing.

[Oly 0]

Welcome to VJ if you need any help, dont hesitate to send me a message, Im from Peru so maybe i could help you or your fiancee during the process. Welcome again

OLY AND DIDIER