Can a lawyer really do this?

[DominiqueL 0]

Hi everyone!

So a coworker of my husband's recently gave him a recommendation for an immigration lawyer. Apparently, this lawyer managed to get the coworker's UK husband in the US in just 5 1/2 months about 2 years ago. Now based on all the research I've done, how on EARTH is this possible??? Perhaps it was expedited? Anyone have any clue how this could be?

[nali 3]

No, lawyers cannot do this. The time-frame depends on # of petitions, etc. Two years ago a friend of mine got his visa in 5 months, today, same petition, same service center, same embassy, it's taking 9 months (in my case).

[DominiqueL 0]

Okay, that's what I figured. I don't see what the lawyer could offer that would make a difference, but my husband and I are pretty desperate to get things moving ASAP so I thought I should ask.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Lawyers can help fill out forms so you aren't slowed by an RFE but so can you on your on. There is no front of the line privilege for legal represented couples. Visa timelines have varied a lot over the years. Years ago we were 6 months petition to interview. It was just how things were flowing then.

[NikLR 13,227]

About 2 years ago, when I arrived, there were cases where you could be done in 2-5 months total. It was because of a weird local office thing. What also happened was people waited 2 years for a visa as well, depending on the local offices. So maybe that case WAS that fast, but as things are not generally sent to local offices anymore, but to service centers, the chances of that happening without a military deployment expedite or natural disaster is very slim.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Honestly, you don't need to waste money on a lawyer. All the information you need can be found online. You have USCIS's website for the I-130 petition, then guides on NVC's website for the AOS and the embassy stage plus you have guides and members right here on VJ to help you. In my opinion, hiring a lawyer is a waste of money and time, unless you have an extremely complicated case.