Rapid Visa

[clw654321 159]

I have a criminal record of 5 misdemeanors in the past involving drugs/alcohol. I will be applying for a fiance visa soon. My main question is do any of you have experience with RapidVisa? Should I use them, are they worth it, and did they do a good job? Thanks in advance!

[britishandusa 446]

I highly do NOT recommend them. Two people I’ve seen had Rapid Visa mess up their process. One guy had his visa flat out denied after the interview. Another one, the other day, Rapid Visa told them they’re  NOA 2 (approval notice) doesn’t expire for a year and that’s not true at all! Their NOA 2 is expired now and that sets them even further back. Don’t use Rapid Visa.

 

i had 0 knowledge on immigration when I first started and I’ve managed to bring my husband over to the US on a K1 with no problem. We’re doing adjust of status now! 

Edited June 18, 2018 by britishandusa

[Unlockable 7,316]

Search the board for Rapidvisa. There are mixed reviews. Plenty of threads to get an idea of them.

[Boiler 46,299]

Sounds like you need a Lawyer.

 

RapidVisa have a bad rep on here.

[clw654321 159]

Thanks guys! I was just looking for some help filing papers, but I can probably do it myself if rapidvisa is that bad. Everything on my application will look great except this one box with drug/alcohol charges. I posted this in another thread, I will paste it here to see what you guys think. On the other thread they did not think I would have a problem getting my fiance here without a lawyer.

 

I have a concern if someone would be kind enough to help me. I think I am worried about nothing, but I like to make sure of everything. I am going to be filling out the I-129f to get my fiance here to the US from the Philippines. I have a great background as in my work history, lived in the same area in Texas, I have never been married, have no kids, I have a great job now, and everything should look great to them except this one thing that I am unsure of how they will view it. I am 35 years old. My concern is my criminal background for where I have to check yes to 3 or more drug or alcohol charges. I have had no other legal problems.  I have 5 that were all misdemeanors. I had 2 different possession charges way back in 2002, a PI that got dismissed in 2005 or close to that year, a DWI 2 years ago, and a PI over 6 months ago. She has no problems with her and she is aware of everything about me. Is this something I need to worry about? This has been driving me crazy and it may be for nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[geowrian 22,338]

RapidVisa: Usually they don't cause issues, but sometimes they royally screw things up and will take zero responsibility for their screw ups. Think of them like customer service reps following a checklist and reviewing the forms. Sometimes they will catch something. Sometimes they won't. Sometimes they will give wrong advice as your conditions do not match what the individual is familiar with.

 

You must disclose the charges and provide the requested documentation about them. The charges themselves are not a bar to petition somebody...they just need all the information so that it can be disclosed to the beneficiary so they know what they are getting into (under IMBRA requirements). The beneficairy shoul;d know anyway as they may be asked about it.

 

Had you been the beneficiary, then there would be considerable issues. But as the petitioner, it's about disclosure (barring some extreme cases, like AWA crimes).

Edit: There are even people that have successfully petitioned for a fiancee while in prison for homicide. Not an easy process for sure...but it has happened.

Edited June 18, 2018 by geowrian

[clw654321 159]

4 minutes ago, geowrian said:

RapidVisa: Usually they don't cause issues, but sometimes they royally screw things up and will take zero responsibility for their screw ups. Think of them like customer service reps following a checklist and reviewing the forms. Sometimes they will catch something. Sometimes they won't. Sometimes they will give wrong advice as your conditions do not match what the individual is familiar with.

 

You must disclose the charges and provide the requested documentation about them. The charges themselves are not a bar to petition somebody...they just need all the information so that it can be disclosed to the beneficiary so they know what they are getting into (under IMBRA requirements). The beneficairy shoul;d know anyway as they may be asked about it.

 

Had you been the beneficiary, then there would be considerable issues. But as the petitioner, it's about disclosure (barring some extreme cases, like AWA crimes).

Edit: There are even people that have successfully petitioned for a fiancee while in prison for homicide. Not an easy process for sure...but it has happened.

Wow! perfect. Thanks a lot, you seem really knowledgeable about this. I had been so worried because of my young, dumb things and my resent messups. She is fully aware of everything and my only concerns were the ones I stated.

 

I also want to make sure I get all of the info they need. I am still a little unclear on if court records will be good enough, if they need the arrest records also, and if I accidentally miss a record they need. Would they just ask for more information?

 

If you would like and have time you can pm me about this. Thank you so much!

 

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

Rapid Visa last I heard actually had an office across the street from the Embassy in Manila.  I have heard overall good reports from them in Philippines.

 

 

[John & Rose 7,239]

RapidVisa is OK but the information here is better and more accurate.  They have a tendency to slow things down a little as they insist the petitioner wait for Packet 3.  This is great for most Embassies but not for the Philippines.  You will wait a very long time for Packet 3 there since they generally don't send one.

 

We used RapidVisa and it gave us a sense of comfort knowing that other, more experienced, eyes were looking at the petition.  I used them before I found this place.  Had I found Visa Journey first, I would have saved a lot of money and possibly had our K-1 approved.  

 

@clw54321, I STRONGLY suggest that you look at the CR-1 instead.  You will have to produce a lot of court certified documents and proof that you fiancee knows all about your past.  There are no criminal background questions with the CR-1.  IMBRA laws are meant to protect an unknowing beneficiary of the petitioners criminal past.  IMBRA doesn't apply to married couples.  

 

Your arrests may not have any negative impact on the petition but you will have to answer a lot of questions.  If you are prepared for that and you are COMPLETELY honest in the petition you should be fine.  

 

[clw654321 159]

8 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

RapidVisa is OK but the information here is better and more accurate.  They have a tendency to slow things down a little as they insist the petitioner wait for Packet 3.  This is great for most Embassies but not for the Philippines.  You will wait a very long time for Packet 3 there since they generally don't send one.

 

We used RapidVisa and it gave us a sense of comfort knowing that other, more experienced, eyes were looking at the petition.  I used them before I found this place.  Had I found Visa Journey first, I would have saved a lot of money and possibly had our K-1 approved.  

 

@clw54321, I STRONGLY suggest that you look at the CR-1 instead.  You will have to produce a lot of court certified documents and proof that you fiancee knows all about your past.  There are no criminal background questions with the CR-1.  IMBRA laws are meant to protect an unknowing beneficiary of the petitioners criminal past.  IMBRA doesn't apply to married couples.  

 

Your arrests may not have any negative impact on the petition but you will have to answer a lot of questions.  If you are prepared for that and you are COMPLETELY honest in the petition you should be fine.  

 

Thanks a lot. She definitely knows about all of this.

I don't know anything about the CR-1 if someone would put a link for me please, but if they are only looking at my past to disclose to her then I am not worried about it.

Do you know of a way that I can pull my federal background? I do not have any reason to lie, I just want to make sure I do not miss anything.

[John & Rose 7,239]

6 minutes ago, clw54321 said:

Thanks a lot. She definitely knows about all of this.

I don't know anything about the CR-1 if someone would put a link for me please, but if they are only looking at my past to disclose to her then I am not worried about it.

Do you know of a way that I can pull my federal background? I do not have any reason to lie, I just want to make sure I do not miss anything.

As a little background, our K-1 was denied because I failed to include info on a misdemeanor arrest that was never convicted and later expunged.  There are no public records available and even the police department and circuit court had destroyed all copies of the paperwork.  The Feds still found it but there was no way for me to submit any paperwork.  This was completely my fault as I answered "no" when I should have answered "yes".

 

I do not know of anyway to pull Federal records but you should be able to get state and local records through the courts and state police.

 

The CR-1 is a spousal visa.  It is generally the same as the K-1 but is filed after you are married.  There are advantages and disadvantages.  

 

If it is just the two of you, the CR-1 is much cheaper.  It is also quicker to the Green Card.  It combines the AOS (Adjustment of Status) process before POE (Port of Entry).  It takes longer to be together but your beneficiary will have the Green Card as soon as they arrive.  That means the are LPRs (Legal Permanent Residents) as soon as they enter the country through the CR-1.  The lead time is between 12 and 14 months from filing to POE.

 

The K-1 is a bit more expensive and will require filing for AOS after POE.  During that time the beneficiary cannot legally work or travel outside of the US until they receive a work permit and advanced parole (3 ± months after filing for them).  The AOS process is about a year so it will take that long for them to become an LPR.

 

The K-1 is taking 10 to 12 months to POE now so the difference is minimal to POE and considerable if you include time to Green Card.  

 

It is a personal choice but after experiencing our wedding last week, we should have gone for the CR-1 all the way.  It was truly amazing to share that with Rose's family which could not have happened if the K-1 was approved.

[clw654321 159]

Thanks! Seems only downside to Spousal is 2-4 months longer of waiting 

[geowrian 22,338]

1 minute ago, clw654321 said:

Thanks! Seems only downside to Spousal is 2-4 months longer of waiting 

Yes. The slightly shorter period to getting into the US is the only benefit of the K-1, barring those who are not permitted to marry in their home country, (i.e. for religious reasons or same sex marriage or something)...and even then they could do so abroad).

[Boiler 46,299]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Yes. The slightly shorter period to getting into the US is the only benefit of the K-1, barring those who are not permitted to marry in their home country, (i.e. for religious reasons or same sex marriage or something)...and even then they could do so abroad).

and older children 18 to 21

[geowrian 22,338]

Just now, Boiler said:

and older children 18 to 21

True...for derivative beneficiaries to be petitioned as a step-child, whereas a K-1 lets them join up to age 21 directly.