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zinny

lawyer vs no lawyer

By zinny in General Immigration-Related Discussion

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Robert&Karen
Robert&Karen

Only worth it if you have been denied a visa before or have other outstanding immigration issues. If you are normal folk and this is your first time, all you need is here, and free.

Gosia & Tito
Gosia & Tito

There is little -if any- recourse if the belly up was caused by an attorney. They are well covered.

Inky Grand Master

Inky   1,111

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

waste of time and money - not worth it.

-------------------------------------------- as1cE-a0g410010MjgybHN8MDA5Njk4c3xNYXJyaWVkIGZvcg.gif

Your I-129f was approved in 5 days from your NOA1 date.

Your interview took 67 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

AOS was approved in 2 months and 8 days without interview.

ROC was approved in 3 months and 2 days without interview.

I am a Citizen of the United States of America. 04/16/13

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,914

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

There are hundreds and hundreds of VJ threads about this very subject.

In short, if your case has no red flags (overstays in the U.S., criminal offenses, major departures from the beneficiary's culture such as large age differences), you might be able to "do it yourself." Read the instructions accurately, interpret them literally, and answer everything completely & honestly.

If attention to detail is not your strong suit, or you lack time to devote to the process, a GOOD visa-assistance firm can be of value.

By the way, ignore any respondents (and there will be some or many) who flatly respond "You do not need a lawyer!" They don't know your circumstances or capabilities and therefore can't make that judgment.

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(!).

Robert&Karen Proficient

Robert&Karen   264

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Only worth it if you have been denied a visa before or have other outstanding immigration issues. If you are normal folk and this is your first time, all you need is here, and free.

K-1 Journey

03-03-2011 - Mailed I-129F application.

03-06-2011 - Packet received in Texas.

03-23-2011 - NOA1 received in mail, dated 03-09-2011.

05-31-2011 - RFE requested. They want better passport pictures of me.

06-06-2011 - Additional passport pics sent.

06-08-2011 - Evidence received and acknowledged. Whew!

06-16-2011 - NOA2 received!

07-20-2011 - Packet 3 Received!

08-01-2011 - Packet 3 returned to Embassy.

08-22-2011 - Packet 4 Received!

09-19-2011 - Interview...APPROVED!

09-23-2011 - Visa in Hand

09-29-2011 - POE LAX

11-11-2011 - Wedding at 11:11pm GMT time.

AOS Journey

12-02-2011 - Mailed in AOS/EAD/AP paperwork.

12-05-2011 - Delivery confirmation per USPS.

12-27-2011 - (3) NOA I-797C received, dated 12-20-2011. Biometrics appt set.

01-10-2012 - Biometrics.

01-20-2012 - Notified of interview appointment for 2-21-2012.

01-31-2012 - EAD and AP approved.

02-08-2012 - EAD/AP card received.

02-21-2012 - AOS interview approved. EAD/AP card confiscated.

03-01-2012 - Green Card in hand!!!

364 days total time!

Him & Me Enthusiast

Him & Me   4

Posted
Filed: Country: Afghanistan
 Timeline
Posted

My fiance is wanting to hire a lawyer to assist in the visa process. I was wondering what everyone's opinion was? Is it worth it?

Thank you :)

You shouldn't waste your money and time in hiring a lawyer. You guys can do the same job as an attorney would. Read through this froum and step by step guides and ask questions. You will be fine. Good luck

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,914

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted
You will be fine.
OP, see what I mean? No one can state this with certainty unless they know your circumstances.

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(!).

zinny Rookie

zinny   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Afghanistan
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

There are hundreds and hundreds of VJ threads about this very subject.

In short, if your case has no red flags (overstays in the U.S., criminal offenses, major departures from the beneficiary's culture such as large age differences), you might be able to "do it yourself." Read the instructions accurately, interpret them literally, and answer everything completely & honestly.

If attention to detail is not your strong suit, or you lack time to devote to the process, a GOOD visa-assistance firm can be of value.

By the way, ignore any respondents (and there will be some or many) who flatly respond "You do not need a lawyer!" They don't know your circumstances or capabilities and therefore can't make that judgment.

Thank you for the response :)

The main red flag that I am worried about is that in 2009 I brought my now ex husband over from Tunisia on a visa (not k-1). I am afraid they will think I am just trying to bring people over which is certainly not the case. I am muslim and and my intentions are pure, but sometimes life does not work out the way we want :( I hope they will be able to see that. That combined with him being from Afghanistan, we just wanted to make sure to have all of our i's and t's dotted and crossed

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,939

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

It's his money, if he wants to spend it appointing a Lawyer, why not?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Gosia & Tito Proficient

Gosia & Tito   199

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Poland
 Timeline
Posted

My fiance is wanting to hire a lawyer to assist in the visa process. I was wondering what everyone's opinion was? Is it worth it?

Thank you :)

Depends entirely on your case. Unless you have some special circumstances, like other immigration issues in the past, encounters with the law (both in the US and in the country/ies where your fiance lives/had lived, etc; then usually you really do not need one. You can start by getting the guides here, the forms and see how you feel about it.

Ask lots of questions here; there are probably many who had the same question and answers exist; there is likely to be either a forum or other members that are doing or did the process in the same country as your fiance and can get you first hand know-how and experience: no attorney has that.

Finally, having an attorney does not make any special exceptions to the process and judging from many postings here, in a large number of cases, they managed to mess things up for the petitioner.

Good luck

LSnBigBear Rising Star

LSnBigBear   61

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

My fiance is wanting to hire a lawyer to assist in the visa process. I was wondering what everyone's opinion was? Is it worth it?

Thank you :)

This is my second time going through K1 as my former fiancee and I broke it off 80% on our way through. I hired an Attorney to do our K1 as I was busy with my new job which took 60 hours a week of my time. Looking back my Attorney was very detailed and probably from what I am reading in the guides and forums had me do more than required which took a lot of my time gathering information to submit to his firm. After our initial conversation he never made an attempt to talk with me as his Assistants were my contact points. He charged me $1600 and looking back I now feel was a waste. I am gathering my information now and will start the process late March after I start my new job. I personally would not go the Attorney route unless there is an issue or potential issue that I need legal advice from. Those Attorneys that advertise they can expedite are not telling the truth as we all fall into the same pile at Visa Processing Centers. I look at it this way now that I am wiser (I hope lol). You will need to dig out all the documents to submit to an Attorney.. It appears if one can follow directions and not overlook items on the checklist VJ provides then save your money and do it yourself as filling out the forms does not look that difficult. Regardless which direction you go, this process is as stressful as we make it.

Good luck.

SuperDuper! Mentor

SuperDuper!   230

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

Well its not really that hard. Just make sure every thing is filled out and up to date and sign everything. You should have no problems. recheck recheck recheck and by all means be honest

Yes! And by doing it yourself with no lawyer, you are putting the $125/hr in YOUR pocket instead of his! :lol:

Lawyer06.jpg

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

feli114 Proficient

feli114   65

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

I used a lawyer and I wish I hadn't. VJ is the way to go!

08/01/12-Married08/17/12-Applied for Social Security Card09/23/12-Husband received his Social Security card!09/27/12-Filed AOS09/28/12-AOS package received10/01/12-Text message from USCIS10/03/12-Check cashed10/09/12-NOA1 for I485,I765,I131 AND Biometrics Appointment Letter10/24/12-Biometrics Appointment12/11/12-EAD and AP Approved-75 days12/14/12-EAD/AP Card Production ordered12/21/12-EAD/AP Card came in the mail06/22/13-Green Card Approved06/27/13-Greed Card Production Ordered06/29/13-Green Card came in the mail<p>

04/09/15-Mailed ROC

04/10/2015-Package received

04/14/2015-Check cashed

06/02/2015-Called Service Center (still no NOA1) Service request found out wrong address on paperwork! :(

06/03/2015-Called to get address updated Ar11 online add change didnt work-got infopass for June 10th

06/10/2015-Went to info pass appt. Hubby got a 1yr. Extension stamp in his passport and biometrics done

08/12/2015-ROC Approved. Got letter in the mail.

08/29/2015-received new card in the mail.

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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