Is hiring an attorney necessary to apply for K-1 Visa for Dominican Fiance?

[MrsLopez 6]

Hello everyone! I am excited about beginning the process of my fiance moving here to Florida ASAP so we can be married and live happily ever after. My question is, is it necessary to hire an attorney to help with the paper work. I have been reading lots of post of couples being approved from Dominican Republic and I'm wondering if you all used an attorney or just filed the papers your selves. Thanks and many blessings to everyone!

P.S.

If anyone is in the Central Florida area and can refer an attorney let me know.

[Adriene H 89]

Hello everyone! I am excited about beginning the process of my fiance moving here to Florida ASAP so we can be married and live happily ever after. My question is, is it necessary to hire an attorney to help with the paper work. I have been reading lots of post of couples being approved from Dominican Republic and I'm wondering if you all used an attorney or just filed the papers your selves. Thanks and many blessings to everyone!

P.S.

If anyone is in the Central Florida area and can refer an attorney let me know.

Not necessary! I filled out all the forms pertaining to my husband, and he even

has a complicated history, and we just had our I-130 approved! Good luck!

[Esmeralda715 8]

To answer your question hiring an attorney is NOT necessary. If you can read, write & comprehend English then you will be fine. Alot of us went and are going through this process alone and of course with the help from the VJ Dom.

Good Luck with your process!!

[perez525 8]

Is not necessary at all if you read through the guidelines over a few times..most important is to gather a evidence proving you guys have met in person at least once within the last two years, and of course are able to marry (both are single), then you can start to prepare your package. From my experience, VJ has helped me much more than I know any attorney could. Read some of the stories and start practicing filling out forms...any questions you have we are always here to answer them, or try our best to answer them.

Good luck Mrs.Lopez!

[MrsLopez 6]

Not necessary! I filled out all the forms pertaining to my husband, and he even

has a complicated history, and we just had our I-130 approved! Good luck!

Thank you sooooooo very much. The attorney I spoke with charges $2900 plus all the filing fees = $3400.00. Thank you for the advice and I would love to hear your story regarding your hubby!

Many blessing on your jOURney! <3

[chastitynjoel 19]

I live in Central Florida. I looked into lawyers but because of VJ, I felt totally confident to do it on my own. YOU CAN DO IT! Good Luck!

[MrsLopez 6]

Is not necessary at all if you read through the guidelines over a few times..most important is to gather a evidence proving you guys have met in person at least once within the last two years, and of course are able to marry (both are single), then you can start to prepare your package. From my experience, VJ has helped me much more than I know any attorney could. Read some of the stories and start practicing filling out forms...any questions you have we are always here to answer them, or try our best to answer them.

Good luck Mrs.Lopez!

Awwww you are super sweet!!!! Thanks for reaching out to me. and my daughter and I loved all of your pics!. I flew to D.R. in January and in May and I will be back to visit him and my new family in August. We decided I will fly over every 3 months until he is here in my arms forever (depending on cheap flights). Right now the tickets to Santo Domingo in November and December are crazy so I'm not sure after I return in August if we will be together for the holidays . I usually fly out of Orlando or Jacksonville, Florida so I am ticket stalking now. I will have my sister who is an attorney double check the paperwork after I complete them, my only concern was she has never practiced immigration law and its details so I was a little doomed. But thanks to your help here on VJ I feel confident enough to do this on my own. $3400 to an attorney plus phone calls and plane tickets is a lot of money for us.

Thanks for your help! Many blessings on your jOURney Mrs. Sanchez!

[MrsLopez 6]

To answer your question hiring an attorney is NOT necessary. If you can read, write & comprehend English then you will be fine. Alot of us went and are going through this process alone and of course with the help from the VJ Dom.

Good Luck with your process!!

Thanks LaUnica! I am excited to begin this process and I feel confident knowing that you ALL are here to help me.

[MrsLopez 6]

I live in Central Florida. I looked into lawyers but because of VJ, I felt totally confident to do it on my own. YOU CAN DO IT! Good Luck!

Thanks Chasity! I am ready to do this with ALL of you on VJ. If you are traveling during the holidays and find a great price on tickets let me know!

[Mogambi 96]

Do not hire an attorney. They will make you do all the work too, and just check over your paperwork. You have to do most of the legwork, gathering documents, photos, filing out forms. There is very little the attorney will do that you can't find help here for free!

But forget about the ASAP part of your post, be prepared that it will take 8 to 12 months probably. At least 6, if everything goes as fast as it possibly can!

[MrTee12 64]

I will have my sister who is an attorney double check the paperwork after I complete them, my only concern was she has never practiced immigration law and its details so I was a little doomed. But thanks to your help here on VJ I feel confident enough to do this on my own. $3400 to an attorney plus phone calls and plane tickets is a lot of money for us.

Listen to everyone who tells you "no lawyer is needed". This process can be done without a lawyer. This is not a legal process. I had no experience with immigration before this process and many of the people on this site would say the same for themselves. Before you file, get familiar with the "process". Read

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

After you read up the kind of Visa you want to file, ask as many questions as you need in order to feel comfortable. Understand the "filing fees", the "waiting", the "stress of being away from your loved one", "the law", etc.

This process is no walk in the park, but its doable. Don't waste money on a lawyer, especially when you need for later costs you haven't even gotten into yet. Phone calls, airfare, hotels, gifts, your own bills, medical exam/vaccines, visa cost, etc. A lawyer is only needed if your loved one or you have any concerns relating to criminal activity. Even still, lawyers are not invited to the Visa Interview. All they will do is complete the paperwork for you, which most people do themselves. USCIS allows you to track your case and you can call the State Department as well. Lawyers will collect your money and sit back and collect more money from you, even if they make a mistake in the process. Don't put your "future" in their hands. You will dedicate more attention, love, and, and time in this process then they ever will.

One last note: If you are doing the K-1 (fiance) its a big difference from the CR1 (marriage visa). Check the comparisons.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

There are plenty of members here to help you, so feel free to ask for help when needed. Welcome to VJ!

Edited June 6, 2012 by MrTee12

[MarielManuel 0]

NOT neccesary at all just read read and read and we are an amazing dominican crew here that will help you in anything that you need

[chastitynjoel 19]

NOT neccesary at all just read read and read and we are an amazing dominican crew here that will help you in anything that you need

We are the BEST crew on VJ!

[Carol & Lenin 16]

this is a repeat, but you dont need a lawyer. lol it is easy enough now that you did the hardest work and found visa journey! if you need answers or help just ask someone will have it.

[GodsGift225 54]

Nooooooo need for an atty. You'll find great info. On,this site as well as people who well help you throughout the while process! Gather all documents before filing anything read all forms and you should be just fine!!

Good luck!!!