Filling a K1 Fiance visa

[dfrazie2 2]

Do most people choose to file with a lawyer or just file on their own? I'm not sure if it's better if we just file for the K1 fiance visa ourselves rather than pay someone like RapidVisa to assist us. 

[SalishSea 18,161]

4 minutes ago, dfrazie2 said:

Do most people choose to file with a lawyer or just file on their own? I'm not sure if it's better if we just file for the K1 fiance visa ourselves rather than pay someone like RapidVisa to assist us. 

This is a DIY site, and most of us have done our entire immigration process without attorneys. 

 

RapidVisa will not make the process more "rapid" or more likely to be approved, just so you know.  And nor will an attorney.

[dfrazie2 2]

Thanks for your speedy response! This is good to know. 🍷

[geowrian 22,338]

Personal decision. Unless there are complicating factors, usually an attorney is not necessary.

 

RV is a mixed bag. Many have used them and thought they were helpful. They aren't attorneys - they're just an agency that organizes your information and documents and such. Either way, you have to provide all the information, documents, and other evidence, so it's not like it's less work or very likely not less time to go through them.

Others have had very impactful issues with RV - either failing to provide significant relevant information for their cases, or by providing just outright wrong information. Don't expect them to take responsibility for their mistakes, either If things go south, it's your problem not theirs.

 

My advice is to read the guide here on VJ, then read all forms and instructions. Ask questions. Then determine if it's something you think is within your capabilities. Usually it is. Either way, this review of the forms and instructions and the process as a whole is something you should know. There is no option where it is wise to not be informed and involved in the process.

[Cryssiekins 976]

16 minutes ago, dfrazie2 said:

Do most people choose to file with a lawyer or just file on their own? I'm not sure if it's better if we just file for the K1 fiance visa ourselves rather than pay someone like RapidVisa to assist us. 

The process is very straight forward - pretty much filling out forms and attaching the appropriate documents.  

 

If your situation is simple, with no complex or messy issues, you can likely do it yourself.  An abundance of helpful members here if you run into any bumps.

 

However, if you’re not confident with paperwork (my husband does not have any patience, at all, for things like that) than you may benefit from a paid service, but like mentioned above, they will still require you to provide all the information and documents.  Even with an attorney, you still have to do all the legwork.  

 

There’s an argument to be made for an attorney when there is something out of the norm in your situation, bc an attorney will have access to other resources, but even then, you can post here and more often than not, someone has been in a similar situation, or has so much experience with this process, that they can offer their guidance.

 

You can decide for yourself (and your fiance) which route is best for you individual case, but if you can, do it yourself and save those agency/legal fees for a honeymoon, or a big ticket item

[Boiler 46,176]

You will find many RapidVisa horror stories on here. They seem to specialise in the Philippines.

[Shiran 1,134]

22 minutes ago, dfrazie2 said:

Do most people choose to file with a lawyer or just file on their own? I'm not sure if it's better if we just file for the K1 fiance visa ourselves rather than pay someone like RapidVisa to assist us. 

Decision to file 129F and eventually get married is probably one of the most important decision of your life. But for attorney/RV ... it is would be just another day in the office. Is it helpful to have another set of eyes to go through the documents? Absolutely. Get your partner engaged in the process. Use this site. Ask questions. Research things yourself. Overall, for most people 129F is not that complicated or tricky. Vast majority of correctly filed 129F get approved, though some take LONG time (300+ days in some rare unfortunate cases) If you do decide to use RV or someone else, do not let the fact you are paying someone to "take care of things" lure you into the false sense of complacency. Missing something in application might result in RFE which will add a delay of 4 weeks or so to your case but those are avoidable with just a bit of diligence. 

 

Good luck! 

[Scandi 4,181]

I never saw the reason to pay someone to do something that I can very easily do myself. I also would never put something as important as me and my husband's future in someone else's hands (especially after reading all the horror stories about immigration companies/organizations/lawyers here on VJ). But we all have different situations and preferences, only you can decide if you want a lawyer or not.

[Sailormooon 268]

If you have a straight forward case (with neither having any criminal convictions) then I think you can pretty much do it yourself with visajourney rather than pay lots of money to an attorney. There’s tons of knowledgable people on here to help you and a step by step guide. I used visajourney for my k1 visa (I received no Rfe) and AOS and It has gone very smoothly so far! 

Edited April 20, 2019 by Sailormooon

[JFH 12,191]

*~*~*procedural question moved from “progress reports” to “process and procedures”*~*~*

[Mike E 11,742]

If you both have all your documents such a birth certificates it can be done without a lawyer.  If no birth certificates were ever issued then in hind sight a lawyer’s advice would have been very useful and saved time.  

[dfrazie2 2]

THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR INSIGHTFUL RESPONSES I TRULY APPRECIATE EVERYONE TAKING THE TIME OUT TO RESPOND.  

 

MUCH LOVE!