K-1 Visa: What all do I need to get started?

[JustinMiller 1]

Hello all, I stumbled across this site as a result of looking up information to get started with a K-1 visa for my fiance. I have no idea what I am doing and could really use advice from people who have gone through the process. First, I have a meeting set up with an immigration lawyer in a couple weeks (Are lawyers really necessary?). Second, my fiance and I are planning to married next July, 2018. I guess the main questions I have are what does this process look like, how long should it take, how much should it cost, and what can I do to ensure the process is done according to the law. I really appreciate any help you have. Thanks

-Justin Miller

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Just follow this K1 guide. Unless your case has some weird issues such as an overstay by your fiance on a previous visa, you should be able to do it yourself. Good luck.

 

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

 

By the way, I started my visa journey with a trip to an attorney who told me he could get it done for me for $5,000. That sage advice cost me $200 on an initial consult fee. Didn't spend a penny more on attorneys.

[Roel 7,193]

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

 

Lawyer is really not necessary. Unless you have any red flags in your case - like criminal cases, previous bans, etc. 

 

Basically k1 journey looks like this: File K1 - about 6 - 8 months process - arrive in the USA, 90 days to get married - file AOS (including work and travel permit, over 1000$)  - about 12 months process - green card. 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2017 by Roel

[JustinMiller 1]

Thank you for the answers! I will try to get this started and keep you updated along the way! I may ask some more questions as well if I get stuck. It is really encouraging to hear from so many who have done this on there own.

[twoDs 590]

Assuming your case is simple, if you can follow basic directions and double- and triple- check things like your own name matching what's on your birth certificate, you are far better off DIY.

 

We got a lawyer, we had to correct something in every single document his paralegal made for us, and they filed six weeks after we'd handed them all the documents needed -- putting us into the hell March filers are going through (if you read the other threads.)

 

You can download the main forms, such as the i-134, and read them yourself to judge if you can do it.

It's really not hard, it's just collecting things like birth certificates, passport copies and writing a couple letters and documenting your relationship. And this site is filled with examples and lists of things you need.

 

If we had to do it over again, we wouldn't even think about a lawyer.

Edited July 13, 2017 by twoDs

[JustinMiller 1]

Another question for this process. Do you all have experience or know anything about if a family member of the beneficiary would cause problems? Without going into a lot of detail, my fiance's father has been in trouble with the US and had his visa privileges taken for 5 years. Would this be likely to cause any problems for obtaining the K-1 visa for my fiance?

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Not likely to cause problems unless he drug your fiance into his issues with a dependent visa app.