Lawyer VS Visa Journey

[Mhayonaise 14]

Just like other posters here.. I suggest that stick to VJ. Vjers experiences are enough for you to know the whole process. Do a thorough research on this site and absolutely you'll be fine!

[Nero 17]

i want to make sure i do everything right, but have found most of my info here on visa journey.com.

i consulted a laywer and he will charge 600+340 to pay us application fee. thats allot of money.

has anyone done this k1 application by themselves?

if you used an attorney any recomendations on one?

You can definitely do it on your own w/o a lawyer. I wouldn't waste your $600. That being said $600 is pretty cheap. I was quoted nearly $3k - and that was WITHOUT the US gov fees. I still wouldn't pay it though. If you have a straight forward case - your beloved has no legal issues or other wild cards you can most likly do it just from the information on this site. My fiancee and I did. This site shows you how to fill forms, exactly what photos to send, etc etc. That + the money is really all the governement is looking for.

[rgfox 10]

There are people who seriously need an immigration attorney, and those who don't. I think it is irresponsible when people say "don't use an attorney" without knowing anything about your situation. In my case, I did consult an attorney, a single $90 session, and he gave me mostly very good advice, with one exception: I filed an I-129F when, in fact, I didn't have to. But aside from that, very valuable advice. If your "situation" is complicated, you want to think about a consultation with an immigration attorney. My $0.02

Good luck

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Resurrecting this up for the weekend!

[sachinky 465]

I did mine all by myself. With some help from my husband who signed as and when needed. I consulted the international officer adviser in college before we got married and spoke to one travel agent and the US Consulate after getting married. Got my visa with no issues and we'll be filing for ROC in four months.

I will echo Rebecca's cautious approach. Only you and the beneficiary know your case and whether it requires legal expertise.

Read through the guides thoroughly, look through all the forms and then come back here if you have any questions, we're here to help.

Welcome to VJ.

[bigdog 376]

We used a lawyer but did not know about VJ. You do not need one unless you have a difficult case. Be patient read the guides and threads from others you can do this.

[Winning23 25]

I will say this. Yes, there is some pretty unique situations where you will need a lawyer by your side. Having said that, I think people don't have to spend a fortune on lawyers. There are several very good fee based lawyers online where they answer your questions immediately.

Before I started my K1 journey, I contacted a lawyer online used the service, got my answers, and did the rest. Cost was like 100 bucks. But it was assuring to know i was going on the right path. Then, happened to find this site, which, in m opinion is amazingly helpful. Example Forms, Timelines, and fellow VJ'ers, probably more valuable than a lawyer.

If your case is simple, and cleancut, you can file yourself.

If your case involves, an RFE or complications which are delaying your case, definitely seek professional advice.

[GringoD 33]

That's another advantage, Swordfish.

Attorneys are notorious for not returning calls.

VJ? You post a Q here, and within a few hours, ... you got more help than you will need.

Seems like all good people here.

[Philwithlove 17]

My fiance got a lawyer. His first visit, $300 for consultation. more or less another $2000 for preparing all the stuff she filed. Gathering up of documents started from March and took them until June to file the petition. We haven't received the NOA 2. Getting a lawyer slows down the process and a waste of money. We don't have any complicated issues to need their service but fiance is afraid doing the documentation and filing. He doesn't have a pc or internet too to search.

[sara..... 371]

we used a lawyer ..........he didn't address the issues that we thought needed addressing and was the reason we hired him......i totally believe if we had done it our self that we would have had a different out come at the interview time and our wait at csc would not have been two years but with in the normal wait time......no one will advocate for your case as much as you will......im sure there are issues that do require a lawyer but most do not.

just my opinion

sara