New to this forum, have general questions

[GaryC 7]

Hello everyone! I just filed a K-1 Visa for my sweetie on March 13 with the Nebraska Service center. I have been watching the posts here and I am wondering about a few of the terms that are used here. When someone says their case has been "touched" what does that mean? I provided an email address on my petition. Do they email updates to you? Is that a "touch"?

We hired a lawyer (***) to help us out just to be sure that everything is done right. Does having a lawyer help to speed things up or make things go smoother at the interview? I am so anxious to get things done right.

[KarenCee 3]

Unless you have a complicated case, a lawyer really isnt necessary. Read the guides section and you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding this process. Best of luck to you both

[Peggy 1]

Welcome to VJ......

[iceyspots 0]

Gary,

A touch doesn't really tell much about the case. Whenever a case is moved somewhere, or if you write en e-mail inquiry, someone will "touch" your file. Some peoples files are touched multiple times.

Hope this helps

[thai2luv 0]

My petition was touched only twice. Once when NOA1 was sent, and the next when NOA2 was sent.

I indicated "yes" to email me for case status updates, but never got an email.

BTW, this site has been invaluable to me on my visa journey. I couldn't have done it without all the great information available here.

[junari888 0]

Welcome to VJ

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Like someone else said some cases get 'touched' a lot, others not at all! We only had one touch just after CSC received it from TSC, then nothing til we got NOA2. All it (touch) means is someone did 'something' with your file and updated the computer to say they had done so.

Having alawyer won't speed anything up - al cases take the same amount of time (more if you get RFE - which means returned for further evidence - or get stuck in security clearance checks - aka 'AR or AP')

You don't 'need' a lawyer unless your case is complicated, however many people use them for the peace of mind (altho we have some horror stories here!) and hopefully retaining one means they will double check all your paperwork BEFORE its sent off, possibly reducing the possibility for an RFE. It doesn't always work out that way, but if you have the funds and want to go that way then that's fine.

Any lawyer that tell you he/she can get your petition thru the system faster than anyone else's however is not being straight with you.

Everyone has to go thru the same checks and waiting times - the exception being members of the armed forces about to deploy.

Much luck!

[GaryC 7]

Like someone else said some cases get 'touched' a lot, others not at all! We only had one touch just after CSC received it from TSC, then nothing til we got NOA2. All it (touch) means is someone did 'something' with your file and updated the computer to say they had done so.

Having alawyer won't speed anything up - al cases take the same amount of time (more if you get RFE - which means returned for further evidence - or get stuck in security clearance checks - aka 'AR or AP')

You don't 'need' a lawyer unless your case is complicated, however many people use them for the peace of mind (altho we have some horror stories here!) and hopefully retaining one means they will double check all your paperwork BEFORE its sent off, possibly reducing the possibility for an RFE. It doesn't always work out that way, but if you have the funds and want to go that way then that's fine.

Any lawyer that tell you he/she can get your petition thru the system faster than anyone else's however is not being straight with you.

Everyone has to go thru the same checks and waiting times - the exception being members of the armed forces about to deploy.

Much luck!

Thank you all very much for your replies. This looks like a good support group to help guide me though what has to be the most important time in my life! Another question. How do you know your case has been touched? Will I get an email each time someone does something to it? I did put my email address on the pettion.

I got a lawyer because there were some "issues" with Luz's prior marrage's. I thought it best to seek a good legal counsel. I also wanted someone to double check all the paperwork and talk Luz through the interview. After 2 years of wading through the Philippine legal system to get her annullment we wanted to make this happen as soon as it can be done.

[Jasman0717 9]

Welcome to VJ. If the petition doesn't have any complicated things an attorney can't get the process done any quicker than you can. Good luck!

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Like someone else said some cases get 'touched' a lot, others not at all! We only had one touch just after CSC received it from TSC, then nothing til we got NOA2. All it (touch) means is someone did 'something' with your file and updated the computer to say they had done so.

Having alawyer won't speed anything up - al cases take the same amount of time (more if you get RFE - which means returned for further evidence - or get stuck in security clearance checks - aka 'AR or AP')

You don't 'need' a lawyer unless your case is complicated, however many people use them for the peace of mind (altho we have some horror stories here!) and hopefully retaining one means they will double check all your paperwork BEFORE its sent off, possibly reducing the possibility for an RFE. It doesn't always work out that way, but if you have the funds and want to go that way then that's fine.

Any lawyer that tell you he/she can get your petition thru the system faster than anyone else's however is not being straight with you.

Everyone has to go thru the same checks and waiting times - the exception being members of the armed forces about to deploy.

Much luck!

Thank you all very much for your replies. This looks like a good support group to help guide me though what has to be the most important time in my life! Another question. How do you know your case has been touched? Will I get an email each time someone does something to it? I did put my email address on the pettion.

I got a lawyer because there were some "issues" with Luz's prior marrage's. I thought it best to seek a good legal counsel. I also wanted someone to double check all the paperwork and talk Luz through the interview. After 2 years of wading through the Philippine legal system to get her annullment we wanted to make this happen as soon as it can be done.

Gary - sounds like you have good cause to retain counsel in that case. Better safe than sorry!

As to how to track your application you need to sign up here: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/inde...id=ajNe7K68WiV-

You can check the box for 'email updates' but checking the site there is usually faster!

[munchkins 0]

Welcom to VJ gary, good luck on the journey

[Boris 0]

You know, lawyer can't make it go faster.

But, for example, we have a lawyer because he works with the documents. And it makes things easier because my fiancee too tired now and nervous. So, it would be hard to do all the work without a lawyer.

I think lawyer helps a lot, when you don't have time to do it yourself.

[shannon65 2]

Welcome to VJ, this is a very helpful site. Good luck with your process. I was really worried that I might need a lawyer though my case is not complicated, now I'm glad I didn't spend the money. But in your situation might be a good idea just in case.

[chuckandkim 0]

Based on your answer, a lawyer is needed for a reason: better safe than sorry!

As for the whole visa process, I can only echo most of the guru here, it's not overly complicate, but require a pair of good eyes and cool head with a lot of patient...

Almost any situation which was asked on VJ, was addressed and adviced well enough by the members here. So, fear not USCIS, but follow its instruction and guide from VJ.

love,

chuck and kim