Is this normal? The attorney didn’t answer the question ( didn’t reply my email )

[M.W.A 1]

Hi. I’m Japanese citizen living in japan, just starting visa process with the attorney we hired.

 

we just finished handing questionnaires to them and waiting for the next process or any step because only submitting the questionnaire doesn’t mean that the process officially started right? ( we are not recognized by USCIS ) 

 

so I wondered how long does it take to start the official process. Then I asked the attorney how long and what is the next step? 
 

but he never answered the questions but how long does normally take the whole process  ( which is just general question ) .

i am getting feel like they are not reliable ? 
what do you guys think this situation? 

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

Give the attorney's office time to properly fill in the forms and submit them to USCIS.  I think my attorney took a week or so.  Once you receive the NAO1 from USCIS, the process has officially started.   This is a very long process.  Patience is the key from this point on.... Good luck.

Edited February 17, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 46,031]

The questionnaire has nothing to do with USCIS, he could sit on it forever.

[JeanneAdil 6,624]

make sure the USC reads thru each and every page of the petition the lawyer fills out and all is correct before USC signs it to be mailed

then u will know the petition is correct 

USC is responsible for the petition being correct and we have seen posts on here that attorney offices make mistakes

 

At this point if all that u did was fill out a questionaire,  the process has not started

it starts when the USC signs it and the petition is recd by USCIS

[SteveInBostonI130 3,483]

2 hours ago, M.W.A said:

Hi. I’m Japanese citizen living in japan, just starting visa process with the attorney we hired.

 

we just finished handing questionnaires to them and waiting for the next process or any step because only submitting the questionnaire doesn’t mean that the process officially started right? ( we are not recognized by USCIS ) 

 

so I wondered how long does it take to start the official process. Then I asked the attorney how long and what is the next step? 
 

but he never answered the questions but how long does normally take the whole process  ( which is just general question ) .

i am getting feel like they are not reliable ? 
what do you guys think this situation? 

 

I never used a lawyer, but from what others have posted:

 

The questionnaire is typically an internal document used by the lawyer.  Once you fill that out and send it to them, the lawyer or paralegal fills out the I-130 for you and should send you a copy for you to review.  Look over it carefully to make sure there are no mistakes.  Then you will need to send him all the supporting evidence required for the petition, like relationship evidence, marriage certificate, your proof of citizenship, etc.  Then the lawyer will compile the package and send it to USCIS.

 

The NOA1 will probably go to the lawyer and his office should forward you a copy of it.

 

The timeline for the above could be anywhere from a week to a month.

 

Out of curiosity, why did you hire a lawyer?  Do you have a complicated case or did you just think it would be too difficult to do it yourself?  It's too late now, but by doing it yourself, everything you do for the lawyer would be done directly to USCIS online and you could get the NOA1 faster.