K-1 VS CR1 (IR1)

[Dashinka 24,493]

Interesting discussion on the pros and cons of a lawyer.  I agree, a lawyer, or more than likely their paralegal is doing all the work, and from what we hear on VJ, they oftentimes make mistakes.  As I have always said, using a lawyer is a personal choice, just like hiring a contractor to do home improvements.

 

Regardless, it appears the OP closed their account, so I guess they are all done.

[SalishSea 17,827]

16 hours ago, GuidoArizona said:

Just wanted to pass along some updates in case this helps anyone.  We really agonized over the decision between K-1 and CR1 (I-130).  We finally decided it was better to get married and go the CR-1 route.   BEST. DECISION. EVER.  219 days from submission on the I-130 to the interview date.  I highly recommend the CR1 route!  Yes - I have a lawyer (and you need a lawyer, too).  Yes - I filed Expedite Requests that were denied.  Yes - I filed a 129 (K-3) and got denied on that, too.  Just passing along my experience ... good luck to everyone.   #1 piece of advice:  GET A GOOD LAWYER.  It makes a huge difference.  Little mistakes (made by YOU) will cause massive delays.  A lawyer will make sure everything is right the first time. 

For people who can read and comprehend the forms, no lawyer is needed.
 

 We have done our entire process so far (filing N-400 next month) with just the resource of VJ, and absolutely no glitches.

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

2 hours ago, Dashinka said:

Interesting discussion on the pros and cons of a lawyer.  I agree, a lawyer, or more than likely their paralegal is doing all the work, and from what we hear on VJ, they oftentimes make mistakes.  As I have always said, using a lawyer is a personal choice, just like hiring a contractor to do home improvements.

 

Regardless, it appears the OP closed their account, so I guess they are all done.

too bad they closed as they still have a lot of this process to go thru

and for the interviews here in the US ROC and  400 a lawyer can attend as many immigration lawyers point out

there the lawyer can take the immigrant out of the interview and explain some out/  the lawyer (my understanding ) can also bring out points of law to the officer (read this on law office site and not sure of the validity)

but again,  the immigrant should be aware of any subject matter an officer could ask 

[Dashinka 24,493]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

too bad they closed as they still have a lot of this process to go thru

and for the interviews here in the US ROC and  400 a lawyer can attend as many immigration lawyers point out

there the lawyer can take the immigrant out of the interview and explain some out/  the lawyer (my understanding ) can also bring out points of law to the officer (read this on law office site and not sure of the validity)

but again,  the immigrant should be aware of any subject matter an officer could ask 

That was my thought as well.  Their journey is not over.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

16 hours ago, GuidoArizona said:

I think you just like to argue.  I was giving my opinion and sharing my experience.  My I-130 took 69 days to approve (yours was 268).  My interview came in 216 days (yours was 400 days).  People can do the math themselves. Feel free to keep arguing if you like, but I think I'm allowed to share my experiences and opinion. LET IT GO.  Why are you so triggered? You think back-handed insults are helping anyone here? Can't people make their own choices?  I'm certain people are interested in more than just one person's opinion. 

That actually doesn't mean anything. We have had people here get their cases denied or be told to commit immigration fraud by lawyers. Anecdotal one-off situations should not be taken for fact. 

 

Some people genuinely need a lawyer due to complications in their cases, language barriers, etc. Some people are just more comfortable with one. But NO ONE cares more about your own immigration journey than yourself (and loved ones). For anyone considering getting a lawyer, they should still double-check and review everything themselves. 

 

Congrats on your approval!

[discoverusa 258]

A while ago I was helping someone with criminal record submit N400. Lawyer quoted 5K just to start. After lots of research we decided to proceed without a lawyer. Requested all court records and police records. All went well and he is now a US Citizen. 

 

Another time, I was helping a friend submit AOS packet. Immigration officer was surprised with the quality of well put together application and supporting documents. Officer was surprised he did not have a lawyer. 

 

It can be done! All resources are there available for anyone willing to do the work. 

 

[dwheels76 5,468]

21 hours ago, GuidoArizona said:

I think you're right.  I knew the I-129f was going to get denied - I did it to remind them I am alive.  As been suggested on here, filing the I-129f sometimes kicks the I-130 into high gear. I'm pretty sure it worked for me. 

 

The point of my post was to recommend the I-130 (CR1 / IR1) route over the K-1 plan.   Good luck to everyone. 

The speed of ur case once it got to NVC and DQ'd had everything to do with ur Embassy.

The reason many are waiting 2,3,4 years is not because of lack of lawyer but because their embassy is severely backlogged.

But congratulations to you.

[Cathi 5,748]

 

23 hours ago, GuidoArizona said:

  GET A GOOD LAWYER.  It makes a huge difference.  Little mistakes (made by YOU) will cause massive delays.  A lawyer will make sure everything is right the first time. 

From submitting my husband's 1-130 all the way through getting his visa, removing conditions and up to, and including naturalization we never received an RFE and we had several so called "red flags"-including the fact that I am 21 years older than he is-we did the entire process on our own without an attorney of any kind. In fact, I didn't even find Visa Journey until well after my husband's I-130 was submitted. So please don't tell people they need an attorney, they absolutely do NOT, unless they have a very difficult case. I repeat, we didn't have an easy case and we did it entirely on our own with not a single RFE from I-130 all the way through and including naturalization. In fact time and time again here we see lawyers screw up and slow things down.