Submit K-1 self or use Attorney?

[RobCee 0]

I have a fiancee who is Haitian but has lived temporarily in Dominican Republic for the last 4 years. I am about to fill out and submit the K-1 visa. Is it worth paying an Attorney to get it correct and follow the process or should I just do it myself and save the money? Also, is it better for her to us the US Embassy in Santo Domingo D.R. or would it be best for her to go back and us the US Embassy in Haiti?

[Girl from Celebes 588]

If both of you don't have any problem regarding crime or break immigration law, just do it by yourself. Many people on VJ have complained that their lawyer slowing down the process instead. And no guarantee you will be free of RFE since some of members here still got RFE even their case handled by a lawyer.

[clairegie 265]

I would suggest doing it yourself if you are comfortable to fill out forms on your own. The whole process is pretty straight forward. I have seen too many posts on here where the attorney just made the whole thing messy. The attorney will make you do everything anyway so you pay for their "services" when you do majority of the work. Its up to her where she wants to be interviewed so its your choice, DR or Haiti.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Unless you have some immigration issues, I believe you could do it without an attorney. Read up, do your research, and pay attention to detail. It worked for us! You can do it! Here's a link in case you haven't already seen it.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

[RobCee 0]

Unless you have some immigration issues, I believe you could do it without an attorney. Read up, do your research, and pay attention to detail. It worked for us! You can do it! Here's a link in case you haven't already seen it.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Thanks! No issues both of us have clean histories and no kids. They only issue is they don't go out of their way to help Haitians all that much in the D.R. - the locals work in the US Embassy and no Haitians work there either so they are not inclined to get things done for you.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Thanks! No issues both of us have clean histories and no kids. They only issue is they don't go out of their way to help Haitians all that much in the D.R. - the locals work in the US Embassy and no Haitians work there either so they are not inclined to get things done for you.

I see well I don't know if a lawyer would make that situation any better or not. I think probably not. I would definitely go to the Haitian and DR forums to seek advice. I'm sure folks there can shed some light!

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1tips

Best of Luck!

Edited November 5, 2014 by LionessDeon

[d3adc0d3 186]

I used RapidVisa (link in my signature below), which is kinda an in-between. They're not an attorney, but they're a service that prepares and checks your paperwork.

When you pay the fee, you get access to their customer portal. You'll go through the process of filling out several online forms (kinda like filing taxes) which will populate all the paperwork for you. Is very easy to understand and they take all the guesswork out.

If you're nervous, your case is straight forward, and don't want to use a lawyer, I'd highly recommend them.

[curt19 2]

sometimes I am disappointed when I hire professionals to do a job for me because after reading information online and learning what should be done and what they are not doing I become disappointed and wish I was doing it myself and saving my hard earned money.

If your application is not complicated save your money and spend it on a party and friends.

if you run into trouble you cant get out of hire an attorney.

[YamenWaad 45]

you can do it by yourself, there is no need for lawyers unless you have a lot of money and you don't want to get any mistakes

[staceydinesh 7]

I agree with everyone else, we did it without a lawyer in 6 months, my friend had a lawyer and it took them 8 months. Just follow directions, and pay close attention to details. You can do it by yourself. Good luck on your Journey.

[d3adc0d3 186]

I used RapidVisa (link in my signature below), which is kinda an in-between. They're not an attorney, but they're a service that prepares and checks your paperwork.

When you pay the fee, you get access to their customer portal. You'll go through the process of filling out several online forms (kinda like filing taxes) which will populate all the paperwork for you. Is very easy to understand and they take all the guesswork out.

If you're nervous, your case is straight forward, and don't want to use a lawyer, I'd highly recommend them.

I feel I need to expand on this, due to subsequent comments. My case took as long as it did AFTER approval, because we had issues getting paperwork together and my (now) husband dragged his feet as his grandmother was in ill health. He wanted to be present (in Argentina) for her passing. Using the RapidVisa service did not slow me down as you often hear the case from Lawyers. We applied in April, and were approved in the end of August and were some of the first rounds of the TSC transfers from the VSC. It was a very quick approval, all things considered.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I would do it myself because many laywers screw things up and you still have to do all the leg work to answer the form questions and

gather the evidence, the lawyer just basically enters your info from a questionaire to the forms and mails it in. That's like a $2000+ stamp.

Save the money to get an extra trip in.
Front load your petition with quality evidence spanning the entire relationship and with varies modes of communication to show the flow

and progression of the relationship.

Read the guides and if something is unclear ask specific questions.

Hang out in the regional to get the flow of what pattern the embassy is looking for. Some things are embassy specific.

As to DR or Haiti, read the embassy reviews of both and see what's up.

DR is tough, I would go with Haiti which is no cake walk either but perhaps a notch less so.

The petition is easy, the fun starts at the embassy to convince the CO that you are bona fide that's why it is a good idea to front load your petition

for either embassy you mentioned.

Lots of visits and plan on being there when your fiance has the interview.

[raven52 233]

We did it by ourselves, but with help of a visa company in the Philippines.

But, IF.,., you can follow the instructions on this site, ""perfectly"".,.,.,. and double and triple check "everything you prepare"", then You can do it!

I agree with other posters, lawyers slow things down.,they have hundreds of clients.,.,be "your own client".,.anything you are not sure of, ask your question here!

There are some "brilliant" people here! Some are "just very heavy handed!!!"

[RobCee 0]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I think I will attempt it myself. I may use rapid visa company too. I have already been through some of the process earlier this year. I tried to get here her on a student visa but she was rejected after her interview in Santo Domingo US Embassy because she didn't convince them she was going to return.

[Kay&Jay 44]

Do it yourself