K-1

[nate fikkert 0]

So Philister and I have decided that we are going to go with the K-1 visa and leave any other option well enough alone. I have been reading up on this whole thing and find myself getting discouraged at the amount of things there are to do.

I was wondering if there is a step by step layout of the process that tells you what needs to be filed and when it needs to be filed. I have been finding information but its spread out all over the place and has confused me as to what needs to be done.

The last thing I want to do is screw this up because I didn't file things the way that they needed to be filed. I am also wondering is it worth the money to hire a lawyer to deal with all of this or am I making it more complicated then it really is?

I would love to hear all your opinions on everything and also see if there are those of you that have had good luck with hiring lawyers or maybe bad luck hiring a lawyer. I really want to do this right and if it is worth spending the money for a lawyer then that is what I want to do SO please let me know what all you all think

Thanks so much

Nate

[canadian_wife 1,823]

From someone who had a lawyer, if you don't have a complicated case you don't need a lawyer

Step by step guide here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

[Dakine 26]

K1 is pretty simple unless you have out of ordinary circumstances.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

OOPS! I was typing when canadian wife was !

Well the OP will get the picture double!

Edited August 29, 2009 by Haole

[Ellie-and-David 38]

So Philister and I have decided that we are going to go with the K-1 visa and leave any other option well enough alone. I have been reading up on this whole thing and find myself getting discouraged at the amount of things there are to do.

I was wondering if there is a step by step layout of the process that tells you what needs to be filed and when it needs to be filed. I have been finding information but its spread out all over the place and has confused me as to what needs to be done.

The last thing I want to do is screw this up because I didn't file things the way that they needed to be filed. I am also wondering is it worth the money to hire a lawyer to deal with all of this or am I making it more complicated then it really is?

I would love to hear all your opinions on everything and also see if there are those of you that have had good luck with hiring lawyers or maybe bad luck hiring a lawyer. I really want to do this right and if it is worth spending the money for a lawyer then that is what I want to do SO please let me know what all you all think

Thanks so much

Nate

There is absolutely no need to hire a lawyer unless your case is complicated. In fact a number of people on this site have hired lawyers and have regretted their decision.

Complicated cases examples are:

You have a previous overstay on a US visa

Illegal entry into the US

There are other instances where hiring a lawyer may be prudent. But.....for the most part, if you utilise visa journey correctly, your on your way to submitting an excellently compiled petition.

At the top of the page is a link called guides. These guides provide you with a step by step guide to the forms that need completing and the evidence you need to submit. Read instructions and apply literally to the forms. This site is a GOLDMINE of information. If you have specific questions about the forms, please utilise the search engine because most of the times, the question has been asked and answered before.

Many people hired lawyers and then happened upon this website and regretted it.

You also have access to regional forums here. These forums allow you to get an idea of what to expect in the embassy you are likely to be interviewed in. Filling out these forms is not hard. Be precise, be honest and follow instructions and you will be fine.

Good luck to you and your partner.

Ellie

[nate fikkert 0]

I have been hearing all these scare stories about how if the paperwork isn't filled out just right they will reject the case and you have to start again and all this stuff...I guess I'm just nervouse about the whole thing because I really want her to get here. It has been almost a year already for her and I to be engaged as we were trying to figure out the best route to get her here and we have decided on this...so I just want it to be right and smooth haha.

K1 is pretty simple unless you have out of ordinary circumstances.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

OOPS! I was typing when canadian wife was !

Well the OP will get the picture double!

[Ellie-and-David 38]

I have been hearing all these scare stories about how if the paperwork isn't filled out just right they will reject the case and you have to start again and all this stuff...I guess I'm just nervouse about the whole thing because I really want her to get here. It has been almost a year already for her and I to be engaged as we were trying to figure out the best route to get her here and we have decided on this...so I just want it to be right and smooth haha.

K1 is pretty simple unless you have out of ordinary circumstances.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

OOPS! I was typing when canadian wife was !

Well the OP will get the picture double!

If you want it to go smoothly....DIY.

You'll get out of this what you put in, which is considerable time, effort, understanding and precision.

A large number of people on this website have gone through this process themselves. Myself and my partner did. You just need to do it properly.

Edited August 30, 2009 by Ellie-and-David

[nate fikkert 0]

yeah I know that this is possible to do I'm just Frustrated and nervouse about the issues at hand I think the best thing for me to do right now is to take the rest of the day off this topic so that I can start again tomorrow with a fresh mind otherwise I won't think through it all clearly

[Ellie-and-David 38]

yeah I know that this is possible to do I'm just Frustrated and nervouse about the issues at hand I think the best thing for me to do right now is to take the rest of the day off this topic so that I can start again tomorrow with a fresh mind otherwise I won't think through it all clearly

Good idea. If your frustrated and nervous before you have even properly looked into filing, I hate to think what you will be like while you spend your time waiting through the different stages.

A lot of people do months of research on this site before they file. Some take days. It is not hard to fill this paperwork out. It's all about being truthful and accurate. You dont need to be a lawyer to do this. You are totally capable.

When your ready, get your game head on and read those guides. Look at the example forms and you'll see....it's just about common sense and accuracy.

Trust me....It will all be worth it in the end.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Echoing what others said above: unless you have a case with complicated legal issues (waivers required, etc.), a lawyer is a waste of money.

The same information and evidence is collected whether you prepare the petition yourself or hire a lawyer to do it for you. The only difference is that a lawyer will collect it on his own forms, then give it to his $12/hour transcriptionist to fill in the actual forms.

You might think that a lawyer's experience in the process would prevent problems. You would be wrong. There's a guy in the April 2009 VSC thread in the Progress Reports forum who just got an RFE. His lawyer only copied the information (photo) page of his passport—bonehead mistake. The I-129F instructions clearly state that copies of all pages of the passport, even blank pages, are required. The VJ guides make it even more explicit. That poor guy paid an extra $800, and all he got to show for it was an RFE he would have avoided if he'd prepared his own package utilizing the VJ guides.

A lawyer WILL add cost, and MAY add time to the process. What you do with your time and your money, of course, is ultimately up to you.

[Shad and Dani 3]

Skip the lawyer, unless you're incapable of following directions or writing your name Everyone here will give you the same advice. Go to the guides!

[Saska+Tim 7]

...If you want it to go smoothly....DIY.

You'll get out of this what you put in, which is considerable time, effort, understanding and precision.

A large number of people on this website have gone through this process themselves. Myself and my partner did. You just need to do it properly.

We done it alone, without layer. Everything went smoothly, no RFE, no problems. Just read a lot on the Visa Journey.

Welcome to VJ family!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So Philister and I have decided that we are going to go with the K-1 visa and leave any other option well enough alone. I have been reading up on this whole thing and find myself getting discouraged at the amount of things there are to do.

I was wondering if there is a step by step layout of the process that tells you what needs to be filed and when it needs to be filed. I have been finding information but its spread out all over the place and has confused me as to what needs to be done.

The last thing I want to do is screw this up because I didn't file things the way that they needed to be filed. I am also wondering is it worth the money to hire a lawyer to deal with all of this or am I making it more complicated then it really is?

I would love to hear all your opinions on everything and also see if there are those of you that have had good luck with hiring lawyers or maybe bad luck hiring a lawyer. I really want to do this right and if it is worth spending the money for a lawyer then that is what I want to do SO please let me know what all you all think

Thanks so much

Nate

Download a G-325a form, and The I-129f. Begin by reading them. Then begin filling them out. Then ask yourself...

1. What part of this do I need an attorney for?

2. What part of this CAN an attorney do? (without me telling him what to enter in the blanks? If I tell HIM, why can't I just do it myself?)

3. If you have a questions, FIRST read the form instructions.

4. If you still have a question, ask it here, anytime 24/7/365 and you will have an answer in 5-10 minutes

5. Ask yourself...what attorney gives faster response than that?

The attorney is NOT CAPABLE of doing ANY part of this procedure for you. YOU must do everything. From start to finish their is nothing an attorney CAN do. They do not know anything about you or your relationship, they cannot even enter your name and address unless you tell them. There is NO court process, no motions to file, they cannot go to an interview instead of you, the way they can make a court appearance for you. There are no "arguments" to make, no interpretation of law. Just a few forms to fill out and copies of personal documents. If you want to hire a transcriber and copy machine guy, find your best attorney price and I will do it for HALF.

If the attorney tells you he can do it "faster" he is lying. Attorneys slow the rpocess compared to what YOU can do. YOU will give YOUR case priority, an attorney will not

[Old Dominion 26]

Only you will know whether there are problems in your backgrounds or relationship (as enumerated above) that an attorney MIGHT be able to help with. Even most of those situations are covered in the USCIS instructions for Form I129f, which are quite uncomplicated to follow. There is no need to look all over the place for those. Your only immediate worry would be getting it right when filing I-129f and the supporting documents.

Maybe three months later, she will be permitted to apply for the actual visa so there is time to look ahead to that step. The pile of paper that she will get from the consulate (Nairobi, right?) is staggering and confusing to some. That's where the going can be tough, and there will be many greedy Ugandans who will offer to help for money. Beware of them!!

Good luck!

Edited August 30, 2009 by Old Dominion

[baron555 934]

I have been hearing all these scare stories about how if the paperwork isn't filled out just right they will reject the case and you have to start again and all this stuff...I guess I'm just nervouse about the whole thing because I really want her to get here. It has been almost a year already for her and I to be engaged as we were trying to figure out the best route to get her here and we have decided on this...so I just want it to be right and smooth haha.

K1 is pretty simple unless you have out of ordinary circumstances.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

OOPS! I was typing when canadian wife was !

Well the OP will get the picture double!

Look at the example forms (button at the top). If you obtain the same information (you will have to do the same for any attorney; that's the rub on them, you still have to gather all the information for them) and if you can fill out the forms like the example forms, then you are good to go.

[nate fikkert 0]

I want to thank everyone for their comments! This is seriously like a family . You get the well do whatever you want but this is what I think or the we did it so can you! Its awesome! I think that I have been convinced to just go it without a lawyer.

Thanks again to everyone!