Jump to content

9 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Haiti
Timeline

Good evening everyone, 

I'm trying to make the best decision when it comes to filing for my Fiancé in Haiti. I will be using a co-sponsor. I'm not sure whether we need to hire a lawyer or if it's best to complete the application ourselves. If you don't mind sharing, what have been your experience? Should I or should I not hire a lawyer? Is it a waste of money? Does it help at all to have one?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

The decision whether or not to use a lawyer is a very personal one. This site is aimed at people who “DIY” their cases. But if you can afford a lawyer and want to use one, you are welcome to do so. A lawyer won’t improve your chances of success - the visa will either be approved or rejected based on the merits and facts of your case, not based on how much you paid someone to do the work for you. Avoid any lawyer who promises you that they can get your case processed faster or that says they can guarantee you will be approved - they can’t. If anything, using a lawyer slows down your case because everything has to go through an extra pair of hands. 
 

The questions on the forms are not difficult. It’s not a job application form for NASA or a Harvard entrance exam. They do not ask you questions to which you don’t already know the answers. Many, many people complete their cases just fine without needing a lawyer. If your case is particularly complex and/or involves a potential ineligibility for which a waiver will be required, a lawyer would be a good idea. 

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most VJ'rs are using this site as there is a wealth of information and if you have a question you can post it for replies from other members who are knowledgeable. It's just like having a lawyer but without the excessive cost of their fees. Of course, you are always welcome to hire a lawyer if that will give you peace of mind.

 

Use the guides here on VJ. To access them use the blue ribbon above, select guides and pan to the guide that most represents the visa you are applying for. Good luck and stay engaged with the process.

Spoiler

Adjustment of Status

AOS March 5, 2014 Submitted AOS with EAD/AP package to Chicago USICS

Delivered March 8, 2014 AOS packaged delivered to USCIS drop box

Accepted March 19, 2014 Text message with receipt numbers

Biometrics April 16, 2014 Biometrics completed

EAD May 23, 2014 Employment Authorization Document approved and went to card production

TD May 23, 2014 Travel Document approved and went for card production

Receipt EAD/AP May 30, 2014 Received combo card EAD/AP

Green Card Approved July 11, 2014 Approved, no interview. Went to card production.

Green Card received July 17, 2014 GC received without interview

Removal of Conditions

Mailed I-751 Dec 16, 2015 Submitted ROC (removal of conditions)

Received Dec 18, 2015 USPS notification of successful delivery

Check Cashed Dec 21, 2015 Check was cashed

NOA-1 Issued Dec 21, 2015 NOA-1 for ROC issued

NOA-1 Issued Dec 26, 2015 NOA-1 Received

Biometrics Appt. Jan 29, 2016 Biometrics Appointment Scheduled [Completed]

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Haiti
Timeline

If you don’t have any red flags or some crazy history I suggest doing it yourself. There’s a wealth of info on this site to educate yourself.

Our K1 Journey    I-129f

Service Center : Texas Service Center   Transferred? California Service Center on 8/11/14

Consulate : Port au Prince, Haiti             I-129F Sent : 4/14/2014

I-129F NOA1 : 4/24/14                            I-129F NOA2 : 9/10/14

NVC Received : 9/24/14                          NVC Left : 9/26/14

Consulate Received : 10/6/14 CEAC status changed to ready

Packet 3 Received : 10/27/14 packet received by petitioner in USA ( beneficiary never received packet 3)

Medical: 10/30/14 Dr. Buteau                  Medical picked up: 11/3/14

Packet 3 Sent : 11/10/13.. Had to schedule interview appointment and attach confirmation receipt to packet

Interview Date : 12/1/14                           Interview Result : Approved !

Visa Received : 12/10/14 picked up at Jacmel location

US Entry : 12/15/14 Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Apply for Social Security Card: 12/30/14 Connecticut

Marriage: 1/26/15

 

Adjustment of Status

CIS Office : Hartford                                  Filed : 3/18/15

NOA : 3/25/15                                            Biometrics : 4/15/15

Approved: 8/31/15                                     Received: 9/8/15

 

EAD

CIS Office : Hartford                                  Filed : 3/18/15

NOA : 3/25/15                                            Approved: 6/12/15

Received: 6/20/15

 

Removal of Conditions I-751

Filed: 8/14/17 at VSC                                 NOA: 8/15/17 Received 8/21 by mail

Biometrics: Dated: 8/25/17   Received 9/2/17   Appointment 9/11/17 

Approved: 10/23/18 -no interview

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Haiti
Timeline
On 10/23/2020 at 10:49 PM, Christy&Jay said:

Good evening everyone, 

I'm trying to make the best decision when it comes to filing for my Fiancé in Haiti. I will be using a co-sponsor. I'm not sure whether we need to hire a lawyer or if it's best to complete the application ourselves. If you don't mind sharing, what have been your experience? Should I or should I not hire a lawyer? Is it a waste of money? Does it help at all to have one?

Good evening 

My best advice the sooner you start the process the better.. Our wonderful president has turned the immigration process a living hell for the African countries. I am a us citizen and I have been waiting over 18months for interview for my spouse For Paup and covid only been about 7 to 8months... Grrrr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Haiti
Timeline

 

 

On 9/26/2020 at 4:49 AM, Jacques'son said:

My wife is waiting for her interview to be scheduled at the embassy in her country of residence. I (the petitioner) am aware that her interview may not be for a long time due to the circumstances of the covid 19 pandemic, civil unrest and crime  in her home country, and ultimately backlogs once they do resume interviews. Moreover, my problem is that I want to start a new job as I'm looking to change careers. I'm hesitant to do so because I am wary as to the confusion this may cause for my wife and the consulate officer at the time of the interview. On all of the paperwork from the I-130 to the DS-260 my current profession and job is listed. I'm assuming  that ideally drastic lifestyle changes are better to be delayed during the CR1/IR1 process. However, I may be missing out on better employment opportunities financially and for other reasons. Please share your thoughts and opinions.

 

On 10/23/2020 at 10:49 PM, Christy&Jay said:

Good evening everyone, 

I'm trying to make the best decision when it comes to filing for my Fiancé in Haiti. I will be using a co-sponsor. I'm not sure whether we need to hire a lawyer or if it's best to complete the application ourselves. If you don't mind sharing, what have been your experience? Should I or should I not hire a lawyer? Is it a waste of money? Does it help at all to have one?

 😳Yeah I have been told the end and beginning of the year as well. Let’s hope and keep faith alive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Haiti
Timeline

Im using a lawyer, but I wish that I did it on my own. I just used a lawyer because my fiance pressured me to, even though, the usual even thoughs. Just do it yourself and mail it in, luckily my lawyer did not charge me as much as those visa services or other lawyers. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Haiti
Timeline

I had my interview for the adjustment of status this week. Everything went well. I am haitian. I was living in Dominican Republic . My wife pressured me to have a lawyer but we didn't . I use the Agency name Rapid Visa. They helped us gathered the paper works together. If you don't have issue wife Immigration it is not recommended to have a lawyer. I don't really advice you do it by yourself because the process is very stressful. The agency I used they are very professional. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of similar threads in these forums.  Take a look at them.  All say the same.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...