K-1 process how difficult is the process without a lawyer?

[ForeverJune 4]

Hello,

As like many people here, my fiancee and I are undergoing this process for the first time. We're both in our early to mid 20's and all the information and steps to this process are a little intimidating. Up until now, we've sent in the I-129F and have received back the NOA1, however we have been contemplating whether or not it would be in our best interests to get a lawyer for future steps.
Neither one of us can afford to spend hundreds on a lawyer, however we don't want to risk somehow delaying the process or getting declined.

For those who have completed the process, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[yuna628 9,676]

Hello,

As like many people here, my fiancee and I are undergoing this process for the first time. We're both in our early to mid 20's and all the information and steps to this process are a little intimidating. Up until now, we've sent in the I-129F and have received back the NOA1, however we have been contemplating whether or not it would be in our best interests to get a lawyer for future steps.

Neither one of us can afford to spend hundreds on a lawyer, however we don't want to risk somehow delaying the process or getting declined.

For those who have completed the process, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

There is more to send in than just the I-129F as per the guides here. If you have not sent all that is needed in the packet along with the application, you can expect requests for more evidence in the future. http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

I know the process can seem entirely intimidating at first, but overall there is generally no need for a lawyer. They will not speed up the process or increase the chance of a favorable outcome. If anything often lawyers can cause a great deal of problems, and cost additional time and money. Unless there is something difficult legally regarding the case, it can be done by yourself.

We completed the K1 process with no RFEs and without the need of a lawyer. The only thing that caused a delay for us was severe backlog on the part of the USCIS service center. New cases should no longer face those same issues. The suggestions I have is to have constant communication between the petitioner and beneficiary about the process, read all instructions and guides thoroughly, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

[ForeverJune 4]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that we sent the whole I-129f package. We sat in front of that guideline for hours making sure we had everything done.

As far as I can tell the CSC has a 5 months processing time, and as we received the NOA1 on Feb 22, there is still a while to go.
Thank you for that feedback, it's greatly appreciated! We had been worried that we were making a mistake by not continuing with a lawyer, so knowing its possible is a big relief.

[yuna628 9,676]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that we sent the whole I-129f package. We sat in front of that guideline for hours making sure we had everything done.

As far as I can tell the CSC has a 5 months processing time, and as we received the NOA1 on Feb 22, there is still a while to go.

Thank you for that feedback, it's greatly appreciated! We had been worried that we were making a mistake by not continuing with a lawyer, so knowing its possible is a big relief.

The 5-6 month processing time is the standard USCIS guideline. CSC however, works fairly fast. You should find movement on your case from anywhere to a few weeks to a few months. Then you'll have the rest of the consular process to complete.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

I think the hardest part of the process was preparing the I 129f petition packet. If you've got that done you definitely handle the rest.

Continue to follow the guides. Read up in your country portal and the embassy info for your country. Good Luck!

[TheResistance 6]

We did not use any services. Did everything. 129F was the most stuff I had to gather to send them, but then sending copies of all that and everything else to fiancee was costly. Had to send out other shipments of emails or appointments that were just not available at the time. But, if you can fill out forms, gather everything from checklists, including your own, then things can go smooth. Unless you have complications, multiple divorces, 50 kids, money issues.... all depends on the situation. Really. Best to start the process on your own and use these forums a lot. See how far you go.

Ask anything here. This site quite helpful... just some fruits, nuts, and flakes here too.

[ForeverJune 4]

The 5-6 month processing time is the standard USCIS guideline. CSC however, works fairly fast. You should find movement on your case from anywhere to a few weeks to a few months. Then you'll have the rest of the consular process to complete.

Okay, thank you so much! We've started to compile the documents we'll need for the next step, provided we get approved. From what I've read the next steps can go fairly quickly if we have everything needed.

[ForeverJune 4]

We did not use any services. Did everything. 129F was the most stuff I had to gather to send them, but then sending copies of all that and everything else to fiancee was costly. Had to send out other shipments of emails or appointments that were just not available at the time. But, if you can fill out forms, gather everything from checklists, including your own, then things can go smooth. Unless you have complications, multiple divorces, 50 kids, money issues.... all depends on the situation. Really. Best to start the process on your own and use these forums a lot. See how far you go.

Ask anything here. This site quite helpful... just some fruits, nuts, and flakes here too.

I don't think there would be any complications aside from the fact that I have a bit of debt but have a payment plan in place. My fiancee is meticulous with money though.

Thank you though, this site is truly a blessing

[ForeverJune 4]

I think the hardest part of the process was preparing the I 129f petition packet. If you've got that done you definitely handle the rest.

Continue to follow the guides. Read up in your country portal and the embassy info for your country. Good Luck!

If that was the hardest, that's a relief. I was expecting more.

Thank you

[Loki_Go 126]

I started the same kind of thread as you when we first compiled our package too. We did it on our own, no lawyers but with lots of help from this site and its members. It's all right here... you can certainly do it!

[getmoneymegan 0]

all the help you need is on this site. I had a lawyer try to charge me 2,000. for me to find all the pictures, do all the paperwork, etc and she was basically just going to proofread it and submit it for me. It's a lot of money and like everybody has said, youve already done the hard part

[LionessDeon 2,060]

If that was the hardest, that's a relief. I was expecting more.

Thank you

Well as far as paperwork goes! Lol

[Jeffrey&David 28]

We used an attorney to get the K-1 Visa, but in hindsight, we could have completed on our own. At the time it was sort of a backup to make sure it was done properly, but as others have said, we essentially did all the work and she proofread and sent the package. Once David was here, we have continued the process of AOS on our own, and so far have had no issues...other than the waiting. But, an attorney has no ability to make the process go faster. I found this site after the K-1 process, so it has been very helpful in the AOS process, and just reading all of the information helped me avoid two RFE's I likely would have received without reading! So thanks VJ!

Good Luck!

[Tricked 33]

VJ and the community here are a better resource than lawyers for the simple reason, that for the majority of cases, the collective knowledge can provide an application that will process without an RFE's or issues.

That being said, obviously consider a Lawyer if you have anything that may cause issue with the immigration process, overstays, criminal record, etc.

Otherwise, save the money, and trust yourself and your ability to read and comprehend fairly simple guidelines from the USCIS, and the knowledge of the people who have done it already and survived.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I think you will be fine without a lawyer. It is a lot of work for most people, but it's all work that can be done on your own if you keep organized and focused. The fact that you are from a low-fraud country should help keep your processes running smoothly as well.

As it was mentioned before, I would not take the 5-6 month processing estimate for CSC to heart. We did, and because my fiance ended up getting his visa much earlier than expected, ended up having to cancel a trip he had planned to visit me in the US for my birthday.