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bec_goe

Attorney?

By bec_goe in General Immigration-Related Discussion

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bec_goe Contributor

bec_goe   4

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Has anyone gotten an attorney to help with all the forms required? If so, how much did it end up costing you?

I got married to an American man last month in Vegas(!!) and being together for a year and a half. We are now going to get the ball rolling and rather than make any mistakes, we were going to look at getting an attorney to hold our hand through this journey.

LionessDeon Experienced

LionessDeon   2,060

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Jamaica
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/IR1_and_CR1_Immigrant_Visas

Its really not that difficult. If you're fairly organized you should be able to do it yourself as the majority of us have. You can save a lot of money and lawyers have been know to mess things up if they are not immigration attorneys. (Unless there is some issue with prior immigration or criminal record).

Take some time research the guides and forms tabs. Go to your country portal for specific embassy info.

Edited by LionessDeon
bec_goe Contributor

bec_goe   4

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

Hi, Please update your timeline.

If you did a Spousal visa on your own you probably don't need to pay an attorney for the next step. Just keep reviewing this board and save yourself thousands of dollar.

Hiya,

Timeline has been updated.

We actually haven't started the paperwork.. We are a little nervous in regards to doing everything ourselves and weren't sure if the majority of people do it themselves also?

Penguin_ie Grand Master

Penguin_ie   5,996

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

Well, this is a DIY site so most members here file by themselves, unless they have big issues (previous overstays etc).

Lawyers tend to delay the process as all the paperwork has to go through another person/ step, and it is expensive. That being said, if you have a difficult case, or are jsut no good at filling out detaield forms, it can be a good idea to get a visa prep service or lawyer to help you.

Bye: Penguin

Me: Irish/ Swiss citizen, and now naturalised US citizen. Husband: USC; twin babies born Feb 08 in Ireland and a daughter in Feb 2010 in Arkansas who are all joint Irish/ USC. Did DCF (IR1) in 6 weeks via the Dublin, Ireland embassy and now living in Arkansas.

mod penguin.jpg

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,834

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

Moved from K3 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   899

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

Once married, I hired a lawyer before I knew about this website, before I knew about Visa Journey.

Knowing what I've learnt here, with so much help from fellow members, I could have saved the money I paid my lawyer.

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

Darnell Grand Master

Darnell   8,479

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

I'll suggest a coupla things, maybe (maybe...) help you to decide whether you need an attorney or not.

a. read the VJ guides. map the steps out on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

b. Read the USCIS web portal about the forms. Map out the steps on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

c. Practice filling out the forms, at least 5 times. See if anything still doesn't make sense to you.

d. Have any red flags? Practice writing up attestation letters about each red flag.

Now, after doing (with major emphasis on DOING ) all of the above, if you do NOT understand the forms and the process and potential red flags for your petition,

then I'd suggest getting a good IMMIGRATION lawyer. You are concerned with time, I am concerned with your 'knowledge acquisition', as knowledge is power. You can have 'it' good, fast or cheap - pick 2.

Welcome to VJ, btw - this is a GREAT DIY Immigration Web Portal, with emphasis on 'Y', and 'D'.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

 
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