Getting an Attorney or personally doing the filing,which is better?

[Kweencee 0]

Please i don't know what to fill in d space for "alien fiancee's A-number".Someone should please help me out.Thanks.

[SparklePony 238]

I'm curious?!

Those that have an attorney cerses those that don't have an attorney.................was there any difference in the time period for case approvals?

This is a common misconception and I don't really know where it comes from, but, no hiring a lawyer has absolutely no effect in getting your case approved faster or slower per se. In many cases, it's made the process go slower because it introduces a third party to the process.

Please i don't know what to fill in d space for "alien fiancee's A-number".Someone should please help me out.Thanks.

You don't fill out the A-Number. Have you looked at the sample form? It's helpful with little things like that.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Pls which is better,getting an attorney or doing d filing oneself?

I have read quite extensively here on VJ from people who were a bit disappointed how lawyers handling their case. The choice is clear to you that if you can't handle or have a problem to manage documents then you should ask some help from a lawyer. There was member here after VJ fellows gave her very good advises, did not listen, still using a lawyer - she said her lawyer is very smart, very informative, and she has money worth to spend-, but ended up getting an RFE.

My fiance and I did not use a lawyer though someone advised him to get one which was I highly refused it since I learned a lot from VJ. We were handled papers by ourselves, I just gave my fiance some instructions as VJ put on the guide list, get documents all together, and sent off. We did not get any RFE and got approved in 38 days.

Usually, when lawyers handle cases, all correspondences will go through them first - I knew that from one of my friends on VJ- and the petitioner will get informed later whereas when you handle by yourself, you will get all notifications at first hand. But if you have money that you are willing to spend, then you can hire an attorney. Good luck!

Edited April 15, 2014 by Girl from Celebes

[R.bwithlove 1]

We hired an attorney, they can get you a second interview if you don't pass the first one, they know your rights and the co knows this, but if you came from a not high fraud country you will be fine, but our case is from Egypt so is a high fraud country, we need all the help, you can request for your senator or congress man to keep an eye on your petition while it goes to the USCIS. This is the second petition, the 1rst one the USCIS lost it 3 times it finaly made it to the embassy, than they sent it back for more evidence and it got back to the USCIS they sent a letter stating that the petition expired! and we can file again. We talk to attorney and senator, the attorney said that they should send a request for more evidence but we did not have a attorney to help! So they let it expired! 2nd time with Senotor and attorney petition approved in less tha 2 months interview this month! So is up to you! Maybe everything will be ok good luck!!

[sweet cakes 326]

Please i don't know what to fill in d space for "alien fiancee's A-number".Someone should please help me out.Thanks.

You can leave the A-number blank or put None. You will get the alien number after submission of the I-129f package.

Example forms here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/examples

[dwheels76 5,469]

Pls which is better,getting an attorney or doing d filing oneself?

This is my take. The Immigration process is really about paperwork and patience and time. Lawyers by and large DO NOT do paperwork. The paralegals and legal assistants in the office do. And yes they make more mistake then the average person.

For some reason people think because a lawyer went to law school and took a immigration class or is even a immigration lawyer they know the process. A immigration lawyer is about the law. This process we are in is administrative at best (unless the law is involved, waivers, criminal records, etc..).

Wish we could get a lawyer to make it faster more "legal. And by that I mean like a embassy in Lagos that you will be going through many get denied and do you know those denials are totally illegal. But we just take it up the a$$ every time. Do you know when you are denied a Visa at interview a CO is suppose to give concrete verifiable proof of fraud or misrepresentation.Not "I have a feeling', or "I don't think you have proven a bonafide relationship or marriage".

Some people have been blessed and have had good lawyers that keep them posted and take the stress and strain off them (How being less stressed not knowing what the heck is going on is cool for you. Go for it).

The problem I see with most lawyers dealing with a Lagos, or other difficult embassies is they are clueless to the embassy. A embassy in Montreal or London is not Lagos. Far from it and most lawyers will be dumb enough to say you need not submit evidence with your petition. They say bring to an interview. OMG for real!! :bonk:

Most lawyers do not stay on top of current changes. NVC has changed forms and policies twice last year and caught alot of people off guard. But those on VJ were on it, read up kept in touch and were able to avoid alot of issues.

So that's my PSA. And no I am not bashing lawyers I am starting Law school myself in the fall to be the best immigration lawyer in the world.

But know this, be aware and know, no one cares more about your case than you.

Yes it takes tenacity, and much diligence and patience (and prayer). But research, reading, FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS is all that is needed to get through this process which is 25% paperwork the rest following direction, waiting, waiting, patience and prayer. Did I say waiting and patience.

[Faycel and Renee 30]

I work in law and even though I was challenged with the forms and process the first thing I did was turn to the VJ forums.

Why spend money when you dont need to. All your answers are right here with people that have gone thru the process, the papers, the headaches, etc. This is free advice right here. I will agree that if you or or partner have some really serious issues then go ahead and hire a lawyer, but be on his tail cause there are so many that are taking advantage of people and you get stuck holding onto broken promises.

Hope this helps!

[R.bwithlove 1]

Our case same age, no criminal records, no marriage ether side, and they send the petition back for more evidence and they let it expired!!

[sachin1 42]

I have done filling myself for many years now

wife, parents, parents-in-law

Once time they send notice that they have cancel my sister's file.

Reason was givin that they have requested some paper and I have not provided them.

I wrote down small paper saying sorry I have not received such letter, please consider this again and here is requested document and believe it or not file came back on-line (waiting for her visa interview, as all process was done in oct2010 but then everything went back two year)

One time in immigration officer told me personally at citizanship interview that we don't talk to lawyer to reconsider your case. if it is legit it will happen if not and you in big mess then hire as they knew few law.

But if your case is simple just come yourself.

If you are very busy then hire lawyer.

[Soul Froosh 31]

We have a lawyer (with paralegals) dealing with our case.

I had complications coming into the country (at border control.)

Our lawyer was great and made me feel I could AOS with confidence.

Just having the moral support from people who know what they're doing is a plus.

She even called my Father-in-law when he was skeptical about co-sponsoring. She explained it in a way he could understand, when neither me or my wife were in a position to "sell" it to him.

They prompted us to get 3 "proof of good faith marriage" statements from friends & family. Things we wouldn't have thought about.

I'm not trying to sell lawyer thing, but I don't think I could have gone through with it all without their backing and assurance.

Also, we would have messed something up. We're both useless with forms and details.

[Ortolan 381]

I agree with some earlier posters: if your case is relatively straightforward, I think using an attorney takes MORE time, because 1) even though you pay them, they're still not ever going to be quite as motivated to get things done fast as YOU are, and 2) having another person in the mix means you have to add time just to deal with the attorney. And then there's the expense; many of these visa forms have a fee attached to them anyway. Why add a lawyer's fee on top of that, basically to get someone else to interview you and fill out your paperwork for you? And they can make mistakes, too; just because they're attorneys doesn't mean that they can't screw up.

Like the ad on TV about taxes goes: you know you and your situation better than anyone else. It would be my advice to read these VJ guides, read them twice, then search for any questions you have and get some answers BEFORE you start the process. Then you'll know what you're dealing with.

If you can follow directions, and your case is pretty simple (no criminal convictions or denials or any wacky stuff) I see no reason why you couldn't just do it yourself. We did ours ourselves, and got an RFE for something, but it was my not asking a question and reading closely enough that earned it. If I'd read and followed the directions on VJ, I probably wouldn't have gotten that RFE.

Take your time, read carefully, and save yourselves $2500 you'd spend on a lawyer to use instead for your spouse's trip to the US!

[Hilario 13]

It took us 5 1/2 months , cr1 and cr2 wife and stepson, take that 2 to 3 thousand dollars(that the lawyer picks from you), buy a new printer/scanner and laptop and follow the guides here and suggestions from those who really know this process and you will be fine.