Profesional Services K-1 Visa Question

[chrispy 0]

Hello, I am new to the board. I am a US citizen and looking to marry a resident of the Dominican Republic and have one question. Typically, how much does a immigration lawyer charge for handling all of the paperwork for the petition? Would it be easier if I just buy the copy online and then fill it out myself or would you suggest going through an immigration agency? Thanks

[kizza 1]

Hello, I am new to the board. I am a US citizen and looking to marry a resident of the Dominican Republic and have one question. Typically, how much does a immigration lawyer charge for handling all of the paperwork for the petition? Would it be easier if I just buy the copy online and then fill it out myself or would you suggest going through an immigration agency? Thanks

The forms are free. The application costs a few hundred dollars ($455 for a K1), but you can download the forms for free.

Most people here will tell you that if you have straightforward case (no overstay, no criminal records, etc.), you are better off doing it yourself.

You will find tons of info, and pretty much all the instructions you need on this site. Read the guides (tab at the top of the page). Whether you hire a lawyer or not, you should definitely read the guides.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello, I am new to the board. I am a US citizen and looking to marry a resident of the Dominican Republic and have one question. Typically, how much does a immigration lawyer charge for handling all of the paperwork for the petition? Would it be easier if I just buy the copy online and then fill it out myself or would you suggest going through an immigration agency? Thanks

You don't need to buy anything, all the forms you need are available free, right here at this site or online from USCIS.

An attorney is typically not needed. This is not a "legal process" there is no court activity and no need for legal representation in your absence, such as in court cases. If you retain someone to do this for you, then I would suggest someone that specializes in visas and can guide and advise you. Attorneys typically take a lot of money and pay a clerk to fill in the forms for you and that is about it. They do nothing to prepare you or your fiancee for interviews etc.

You can do it yourself if you are willing to invest the time and effort, most people here do this, but it does take study and careful preparation.

If you do use a service, make sure they will take you through the AOS process also, not just dump you after filling out your forms. "Service" is the key word. You will get what you pay for.

Absolutely do NOT pay anyone for forms, they are all available free.

[chrispy 0]

Thank you guys I appreciate the quick feedback. I am going to put my time and effort into the process but I just want to make sure everything is 100 percent correct. So I would first download all the forms from this site and shall I fill them out online instead of hand written? After I fill out the forms, I am assuming I have to make a cover letter as it says in the guides? I was also wondering where it says passport style picture, exactly what would that be given that my fiance in the DR does not have a passport? Sorry for all the questions I am just to excited to get this process started..

[Otto 83]

Thank you guys I appreciate the quick feedback. I am going to put my time and effort into the process but I just want to make sure everything is 100 percent correct. So I would first download all the forms from this site and shall I fill them out online instead of hand written? So long as it's legible, you can write or type - doesn't matter. After I fill out the forms, I am assuming I have to make a cover letter as it says in the guides? I was also wondering where it says passport style picture, exactly what would that be given that my fiance in the DR does not have a passport? Sorry for all the questions I am just to excited to get this process started..

All of your questions and more are answered in the pretty straightforward Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for a K-1 Visa . Found by clicking the word GUIDES at/near the top of the screen. Take some time going over the things you see in there - it's not written by lawyers but by people just like yourself.

[JimVaPhuong 4,864]

Thank you guys I appreciate the quick feedback. I am going to put my time and effort into the process but I just want to make sure everything is 100 percent correct. So I would first download all the forms from this site and shall I fill them out online instead of hand written? After I fill out the forms, I am assuming I have to make a cover letter as it says in the guides? I was also wondering where it says passport style picture, exactly what would that be given that my fiance in the DR does not have a passport? Sorry for all the questions I am just to excited to get this process started..

A "passport style" photo refers to a photo taken to US passport specifications:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html

She'll need to get a photo taken that conforms to the requirements described on that page, and give it to you to submit with the petition. She'll need more of those photos to submit at the interview, and may also need to submit photos when she gets her medical. The photos are usually supposed to be taken within the previous 30 days at the time they are submitted.

Your fiancee WILL need a passport by the time she goes to the interview. She should go ahead and get started on that.

Take your time. You've got plenty of reading to do.

[R de la R 2]

Thank you guys I appreciate the quick feedback. I am going to put my time and effort into the process but I just want to make sure everything is 100 percent correct. So I would first download all the forms from this site and shall I fill them out online instead of hand written? After I fill out the forms, I am assuming I have to make a cover letter as it says in the guides? I was also wondering where it says passport style picture, exactly what would that be given that my fiance in the DR does not have a passport? Sorry for all the questions I am just to excited to get this process started..

A "passport style" photo refers to a photo taken to US passport specifications:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html

She'll need to get a photo taken that conforms to the requirements described on that page, and give it to you to submit with the petition. She'll need more of those photos to submit at the interview, and may also need to submit photos when she gets her medical. The photos are usually supposed to be taken within the previous 30 days at the time they are submitted.

Your fiancee WILL need a passport by the time she goes to the interview. She should go ahead and get started on that.

Take your time. You've got plenty of reading to do.

No lawyer needed at all for this process, just save your money

Yes, she needs the photos for the steps mentioned in this answer.

Good luck!!!

[cptrosco 0]

I have to say, I hired a lawyer in the states to do the work for me and my partner, it cost us $1800 and that included the $455 filing fee, the lawyers are good if you want to cut down the stress of it all a little bit, plus they have also got me all ready for when my packet 3 arrives.... in a week...ish

[rebeccajo 14]

An attorney has to be a member of the State Bar. He has malpractice insurance you can collect against if he screws you over. You'll usually pay the most for hiring an attorney - generally $2K or thereabouts.

Visa consultation firms are often unlicensed, unregistered and unregulated. If they mess up your case, you pretty much have no recourse. They usually charge a lower fee than attorneys.

Catholic Charities offers visa consultation fees. Again you have little recourse against them but you pay them very little or nothing for assistance.

Edited November 21, 2009 by rebeccajo

[R de la R 2]

Hello, I am new to the board. I am a US citizen and looking to marry a resident of the Dominican Republic and have one question. Typically, how much does a immigration lawyer charge for handling all of the paperwork for the petition? Would it be easier if I just buy the copy online and then fill it out myself or would you suggest going through an immigration agency? Thanks

Again save that money if you have time to read the guides here you are done. All the info is here.

[AdamF 1]

Thank you guys I appreciate the quick feedback. I am going to put my time and effort into the process but I just want to make sure everything is 100 percent correct. So I would first download all the forms from this site and shall I fill them out online instead of hand written? After I fill out the forms, I am assuming I have to make a cover letter as it says in the guides? I was also wondering where it says passport style picture, exactly what would that be given that my fiance in the DR does not have a passport? Sorry for all the questions I am just to excited to get this process started..

This is just my personal opinion, but I used the forms directly from the USCIS web site.

That gives you the highest degree of confidence you are getting the most up-to-date version of the forms. The site also lists which versions of the forms are currently being accepted for filing.

If you download them from a 3rd party site, they could (in theory) be old and therefore no longer valid.

I would however recommend using the example forms on this site for guidance on how to answer certain questions.

Thanks,

Adam