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Lane

Is a Lawyer Worth It? CR1 visa

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Hi all, 

I wanted to get some community thoughts on hiring a lawyer to help with the CR1 visa. I know that it’s possible to complete the visa completely on your own, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it to hire a lawyer/if anyone had an comments on their experience either filing alone or with help. The reasons I’m considering a lawyer, or a website to check the paperwork, is because I’m hoping it will make the process be a little faster/simpler and I was looking at trying to expedite the process. Any thoughts/stories are greatly appreciated! 
 

Thanks! 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Argentina
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Attorneys can't make it shorter or expedited. In fact, we have seen here in VJ countless cases where attorneys make big mistakes and the process is delayed. The truth is, nobody cares about your case and your loved ones as much as you do. The guides here in VJ are thorough and complete, and there are very seasoned members that can help you. I would do it myself after I have researched and asked all the questions.

 

PS: I never adjusted from a CR1. I was an F1 student. But when I started my adjustment of status I did not know about VJ, so we made a deposit for an attorney. Not even a week after joining VJ we realized that he was ripping us off by charging us money for background checks for the USC, which are not needed. So we asked for our deposit back. We ended up doing my AOS on our own, and I was approved without interview 6 months later. 

FROM F1 TO AOS

October 17, 2019 AOS receipt date 

December 09, 2019: Biometric appointment

January 15, 2020 RFE received

January 30, 2020  RFE response sent

Feb 7: EAD approved and interview scheduled

March 18, 2020 Interview cancelled

April 14th 2020: RFE received

April 29, 2020 Approved without interview

May 1, 2020 Card in hand

 

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

February 1, 2022 package sent

March 28, 2022 Fingerprints reused

July 18, 2023 approval

July 20, 2023 Card in hand

 

N400 

January 30,2023: Online filing

February 4th, 2023: Biometric appointment

June 15th, 2023: Case actively being reviewed

July 11th, 2023: Interview scheduled.

August 30th, 2023: Interview!

August 31st, 2023: Oath ceremony scheduled.

Sept 19th, 2023: Officially a US citizen!

 


 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
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I never recommend a lawyer unless your case is complicated (ie. previous conviction, etc). My friend's lawyer submitted forms without signature. Waited three months to get the notice from USCIS that it had to be resubmitted. No refund or discount from the lawyer. I did all the work myself to include writing letters of exemptions (which were approved). Just go slow and give them what is asked for. For example, Notarized and translated documents if required. Check and double check before submitting.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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4 hours ago, Lane said:

Hi all, 

I wanted to get some community thoughts on hiring a lawyer to help with the CR1 visa. I know that it’s possible to complete the visa completely on your own, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it to hire a lawyer/if anyone had an comments on their experience either filing alone or with help. The reasons I’m considering a lawyer, or a website to check the paperwork, is because I’m hoping it will make the process be a little faster/simpler and I was looking at trying to expedite the process. Any thoughts/stories are greatly appreciated! 
 

Thanks! 

You still have to do all the leg work.  Attorneys just fill in the forms for you.  In fact, the attorney doesn't do it.   His/her hired help does it.  

Edited by Crazy Cat

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
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I hired a lawyer. I tried to do it myself and became overwhelmed. I have heard of many who made mistakes and after waiting over a year, thier petition was rejected. I didn't want to take that chance. I read several reviews to find a attorney with  success stories. I also found a attorney with a set fee, and payment plan ,who didn't get paid until we would reach the next phase in the process. For me, it was worth it for my piece of mind. I am in the final lap now, hoping to hear a decision any day now!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
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you gather all documents like

birth certificates

divorce papers

in my case death notice of late husband

the photos

the marriage certificate

birth certificates of any children

stamps on passport for trip(s)

and any other documents  needed for the petition

 

give them to the lawyer

he copies them

he has an aide fill out the petition 

YOU are responsible for the content (which attorney offices are well known for making mistakes)

if u sign and there is an issue ,  u are hosed

 

so,  u pay for him to fill out a petition that can be done online by U

 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Malta
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59 minutes ago, Lane said:

Hi all, 

I wanted to get some community thoughts on hiring a lawyer to help with the CR1 visa. I know that it’s possible to complete the visa completely on your own, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it to hire a lawyer/if anyone had an comments on their experience either filing alone or with help. The reasons I’m considering a lawyer, or a website to check the paperwork, is because I’m hoping it will make the process be a little faster/simpler and I was looking at trying to expedite the process. Any thoughts/stories are greatly appreciated! 
 

Thanks! 

 

Unless you have something that would complicate things like a previous conviction or entrance ban, the entire process can be done yourself as the likely majority of active forum users here will tell you. Save yourself the money, you'll want it for moving costs.

USCIS

29 Apr 2020: I-130 filed online

11 Dec 2020: I-130 approved

 

NVC

17 Dec 2020: NVC Received

25 Jan 2021: Paid AOS and IV fees

14 Apr 2021: Submitted I-864, I-864A and DS-260

14 Apr 2021: Expedite request

04 May 2021: Expedite approved, case sent to Consulate in Naples, Italy

 

US Consulate Naples, Italy

04 May 2021: Consulate received

18 May 2021: Requested expedited interview

20 May 2021: Expedited interview approved and scheduled for 8th June

07 Jun 2021: Medical at Istituto Varelli (Naples, Italy) - Very friendly staff, spoke English

08 Jun 2021: Interview - APPROVED

09 Jun 2021: Picked up passport with Visa in person from Consulate 

 

USA

17 June 2021: Entered New York (JFK) as Point of Entry

17 June 2021: Landed in Arizona and reunited with my wife :) 

28 June 2021: Received Social Security Number

10 July 2021: Form I-551 (Green Card) marked as in production

15 July 2021: Form I-551 (Green Card) received in the post

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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1 minute ago, Lane said:

Hi all,

 

I’m not sure if this makes a difference but I’m outside of the US and most likely won’t be back until the visa is processed, I think the I-190 needs to be physically mailed though? 

I-190?  If you mean I-130, it can be done online from anywhere.

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
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2 hours ago, Lane said:

Yes sorry my bad! Is there anything that would need to be physically mailed? 

Nope, the I130 process is pretty much all online now.  When your I130 gets to the NVC stage, you will need to scan some documents and upload them, but I am not aware of anything that has to be mailed physically.

 

As to using a lawyer, that is a personal decision, and the other great and learned VJ members have covered many of the pros and con.  The only thing I would add is if you do decide to go with a lawyer or visa service, if they are advertising they can speed up the system, look elsewhere.

 

Good Luck! 

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

I-485 Approved: 2015-03-13

Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

I-751 NOA Received:  2016-12-29

I-751 Biometrics Appt.:  2017-01-26

I-751 Interview:  2018-04-10

I-751 Approved:  2018-05-04

N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

N400 Biometrics:  2018-02-22

N400 Interview:  2018-04-10

N400 Approved:  2018-04-10

Oath Ceremony:  2018-06-11 - DONE!!!!!!!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Costa Rica
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3 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

 YOU are responsible for the content (which attorney offices are well known for making mistakes)

 

I think this is the biggest point because at the end of the day, you must sign the form stating that everything is true and correct, and you understand it all, so if you yourself have to ensure that everything is correct and you understand everything in the form, why not also be the one who fills out the form?  You can't blame the lawyer for a mistake, because you signed to attest that everything in the form is true and correct.

2018 K1 Filing to Approval: 322 days (RFE 29 Days)

Spoiler

I-129F mailed: Jan 26 2018

NOA1: Jan 29 2018 (old site), Feb 2 2018 (new site)

RFE: Aug 30 2018 (old site updated 8/30; new site 8/31 w/email and text)

RFE hard copy: rec'd 9/4; ret'd 9/6 (old site updated 9/7; new site 9/10, no text/email)

NOA2: Oct 5 2018 [249 days]  (old site updated 10/5; new site 10/7, no text/email)

Case #: Oct 31 2018 [27 days] (called to get number, no email from NVC)

Left NVC: Nov 13 2018 

Consulate Rec'd (DHL): Nov 19 2018

CEAC 'Ready' status: Nov 29 2018

Interview: Dec 17 2018 [Approved!]

POE: Jan 10 2019 [Los Angeles]

Marriage: Jan 12 2019 :wub::dance:

2019 AOS Filing to Approval: 81 Days (No RFE, No Expedite)

Spoiler

AOS Mailed: Feb 19 2019

NOA1: Feb 25 2019 (I-485, I-765, I-131)

Biometrics Appt. Letter Rcv'd: Mar 8 2019

Biometrics Appointment: Mar 20 2019

Recv'd Interview Appt. Notice: Apr 15 2019 [I-485] (ready to schedule 4/10, scheduled 4/11; old site)

Interview: May 17 2019 [Cleveland, OH]

Approved: May 17 2019  :dance:

Green Card Received: May 24 2019

2021 ROC Filing to Approval: 534 Days (LIN; No RFE, No Interview)

Spoiler

ROC Mailed: Mar 5 2021 (delivered 3/12)

NOA1: Apr 5 2021 (txt rcvd 4/7, check cashed 4/7, mail rcvd 4/9) 

Biometrics Re-used Notice Rcv'd: Apr 30 2021

Approved: Sep 21 2022 :dance:

Green Card Received: Sep 28 2022

2022 N400 Filing to Oath: 154 Days (Cleveland Field Office; No RFE)

Spoiler

N400 Submitted: Jun 16 2022 (online)

NOA1: Jun 16 2022 (rcv'd snail mail 6/24)

Biometrics Re-used Notice Rcv'd: Jun 16 2022 (rcv'd snail mail 6/24)

Interview Scheduled: Sep 6 2022 (cancelled due to A-file not arrived in time)

Interview Re-scheduled: Oct 21 2022

Approved: Oct 21 2022 :dance:

Oath Ceremony: Nov 16 2022 :wow:🇺🇸

event.png



 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Jordan
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I did it myself entirely, with not a single RFE in the USCIS nor NVC stage.

 

For me, the issue with lawyers is that they are too overconfident to check their information regarding consular processing (when the beneficiary is overseas), thus causing HUGE DELAYS, and do not mail/upload the documents in a timely manner. 

Edited by Jordanian Bride
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