Hiring someone to complete application

[americaninlove 381]

Hi there, I’m wondering if people ever hire someone (an immigration attorney?) to complete the application for you. Is this something an attorney would do? Thanks!

[JFH 12,189]

Yes, people have used an attorney in the past. But it's not really necessary unless your case has complex issues such as a criminal record, previous overstay or ban, or previous denied visas. The majority of people get through this without the help of an (expensive) attorney.

[Boiler 43,425]

Lawyers will do pretty much anything for money.

 

Why not complete it yourself?

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

As JFH said, you can hire someone, attorney or agency; but using the guides here can help you do it yourself. Searching here on VJ also for specific questions can help you find the answers you need.

 

A lot of times people hire someone because they are afraid of making a mistake on the paperwork; but if you just take time and focus you can manage it yourself honestly.

[TNJ17 1,329]

That’s what an immigration lawyer does. 

[americaninlove 381]

6 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

As JFH said, you can hire someone, attorney or agency; but using the guides here can help you do it yourself. Searching here on VJ also for specific questions can help you find the answers you need.

 

A lot of times people hire someone because they are afraid of making a mistake on the paperwork; but if you just take time and focus you can manage it yourself honestly.

Yeah just thought, given how many hours I work, it would be easier to have someone else complete it without mistakes. But you’re right. I can definitely do it myself...just wondered what the options were. 

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

If you hired an attorney you would still have to gather all evidence together and basically do all the leg work and he would just look it over and 
send it off. Look in the guides here, follow them and if something is unclear ask questions in the forums and use the money you save 
on an extra trip to see your fiance/spouse instead of paying an attorney.
Attorneys wont make the process go faster and give you a better approval rate.

[geowrian 22,335]

14 minutes ago, americaninlove said:

Yeah just thought, given how many hours I work, it would be easier to have someone else complete it without mistakes. But you’re right. I can definitely do it myself...just wondered what the options were. 

If that's your reason for using an attorney, then I concur that doing without one is for the best. Even with an attorney, you're going to be doing about the same amount of work/time to provide information, gather documents, review what they enter on the form (This is critical! Never submit a form without looking it over, verifying everything is correct and asking questions), etc.

Edited December 30, 2017 by geowrian

[K&N2609 68]

15 minutes ago, americaninlove said:

Yeah just thought, given how many hours I work, it would be easier to have someone else complete it without mistakes. But you’re right. I can definitely do it myself...just wondered what the options were. 

That is something i would not assume. People hire lawyers here, and the lawyers still made mistakes. They can also delay the process sometimes (e.g. When you get an approval notice or rfe. The lawyer might have it for a while before even informing you).  Sometimes if you wanna get things done right, then do it yourself haha

Edited December 30, 2017 by K&N2609

[MrHanky 1,377]

There's an agency, not sure I should mention by name, that seems to be very popular and good.

While of course you can do it yourself, if it makes you feel more comfortable, and less stressed, there are viable options.

[Boiler 43,425]

4 minutes ago, MrHanky said:

There's an agency, not sure I should mention by name, that seems to be very popular and good.

While of course you can do it yourself, if it makes you feel more comfortable, and less stressed, there are viable options.

I can think of one Agency the completely screwed a VJ Member and refused to refund and/or sort it out.

[MrHanky 1,377]

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I can think of one Agency the completely screwed a VJ Member and refused to refund and/or sort it out.

Plenty of VJ members do that themselves

[Boiler 43,425]

Just now, MrHanky said:

Plenty of VJ members do that themselves

Well on here we can often catch it.

 

And we do not charge.

[bakphx1 785]

People say lots of people do it themselves, but some post questions from having been careless or confused and made a bad mistake early on.  It's a matter of whether it fits in your budget and if you can be diligent and organized.  Expect it to be about $4,000.  To some couples starting out, that's a fortune. More doable to others.  It's a matter of your comfort level and ability to come up with the money easily.  Just be honest with the attorney.  Don't leave out say a DUI on your record.  They can deal with it when they know early on. 

 

Important:  an attorney won't speed up the process in any way. 

[MrHanky 1,377]

11 minutes ago, bakphx1@aol.com said:

People say lots of people do it themselves, but some post questions from having been careless or confused and made a bad mistake early on.  It's a matter of whether it fits in your budget and if you can be diligent and organized.  Expect it to be about $4,000.  To some couples starting out, that's a fortune. More doable to others.  It's a matter of your comfort level and ability to come up with the money easily.  Just be honest with the attorney.  Don't leave out say a DUI on your record.  They can deal with it when they know early on. 

 

Important:  an attorney won't speed up the process in any way. 

Exactly, some of the things I see asked on here, people filling out outdated forms etc, 

And even with the advice there's still screw ups, so it really depends on the person. For someone like ourselves this site is great, but some people can barely use a remote control.