Lawyer and 125% of poverty Level

[Désirée689 0]

Bonjour, Hello....

I am from Tahiti, French Polynesia

My very very fist post in the forum, and my very very first action in this website

My Fiancé and I had just applied for the K-1 Visa and had sent our application on tuesday morning

Because of what we hear from here and there, is it true that a lawyer will make everything faster and will guaranty an approval ?

Are you guys doing it yourselves ??? for the ones who succeeded on your own (without a lawyer) how long did it take you to get approved ?

My other question is the Financial requirement. I read my fiancé has to make at least 125% of the US poverty level for a houshold of 2....i have been trying to look for a number, buti can't find anything about it.

Thank you for reading my post.

A Bigger Thank you for those who answered it

A Bigger Bigger Thank you for those who provides me useful answer

[Ryan H 3,812]

Bonjour, Hello....

I am from Tahiti, French Polynesia

My very very fist post in the forum, and my very very first action in this website

Welcome!

is it true that a lawyer will make everything faster and will guaranty an approval ?

No on making things faster and no on the guarantee. You will see many posts here from people who used lawyers only to have the lawyer screw things up resulting in delays.

how long did it take you to get approved ?

Whether or not you use a lawyer, the posted time from USCIS from NOA1 to NOA2 is 5 months. After NOA2, there is the time it takes to have the file shipped to the Embassy or Consulate overseas and then having said Embassy or Consulate schedule an interview, that can vary. A best case scenario timeframe is having an interview in December.

My other question is the Financial requirement. I read my fiancé has to make at least 125% of the US poverty level for a houshold of 2....i have been trying to look for a number, buti can't find anything about it.

That is true. I found

'>this information from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Other may want to comment if this is the right place or if there is a better source.

Congratulations on your engagement and best wishes going forward!

Edited May 5, 2011 by Ryan H

[Ryan H 3,812]

For some reason, the HHS link didn't post in my original reply, here is the link: 2011 HHS Poverty Guidelines

[Désirée689 0]

THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH !!!!!!!!!!

[KemalTuanaYalcin 16]

Bonjour, Hello....

I am from Tahiti, French Polynesia

My very very fist post in the forum, and my very very first action in this website

My Fiancé and I had just applied for the K-1 Visa and had sent our application on tuesday morning

Because of what we hear from here and there, is it true that a lawyer will make everything faster and will guaranty an approval ?

Are you guys doing it yourselves ??? for the ones who succeeded on your own (without a lawyer) how long did it take you to get approved ?

My other question is the Financial requirement. I read my fiancé has to make at least 125% of the US poverty level for a houshold of 2....i have been trying to look for a number, buti can't find anything about it.

Thank you for reading my post.

A Bigger Thank you for those who answered it

A Bigger Bigger Thank you for those who provides me useful answer

With regards to the lawyer, if you are very careful about reading the paperwork and do your research, and certainly use this site as a resources, I personally do not feel a lawyer is necessary unless you have circumstances you feel you would need to overcome or that may put your approval at risk so to speak. I did our petition myself and was approved after 5 months appox. Timelines please understand vary by the processing center. If you go online and research like with google, type in something like, povertly level for Los Angeles, Ca it you should be able to find a chart of some sort and then just multiply that number by 125% to figure out what your fiance needs to make. Also, I am not 100% sure about this but you might be able to find this information on the USCIS website, and if not, just give them a call, and ask them.

[Anh map 2,098]

Use the income guidelines found in form I-864P. There is a link to that form below in my signature. For a household of 2 that figure is currently $18,387..

Using an attorney will not guarantee approval. Being thorough in your document preparation and interview preparation ought to help you avoid delays in the process. If you feel comfortable with the forms and procedures and do not see any unusual circumstances in your petition it can be done without any visa service or attorney. If you are unsure or unable, then outside assistance may be helpful.

Do some reading here on VJ. It is a great do it yourself site.

[Ning 619]

Bonjour, Hello....

I am from Tahiti, French Polynesia

My very very fist post in the forum, and my very very first action in this website

My Fiancé and I had just applied for the K-1 Visa and had sent our application on tuesday morning

Because of what we hear from here and there, is it true that a lawyer will make everything faster and will guaranty an approval ?

Are you guys doing it yourselves ??? for the ones who succeeded on your own (without a lawyer) how long did it take you to get approved ?

My other question is the Financial requirement. I read my fiancé has to make at least 125% of the US poverty level for a houshold of 2....i have been trying to look for a number, buti can't find anything about it.

Thank you for reading my post.

A Bigger Thank you for those who answered it

A Bigger Bigger Thank you for those who provides me useful answer

A lawyer simply charges you to organize your own information. They tell you what to send then apply that info to the very same forms we all filled out. Its sent back to you to sign & pay for. They dont make it faster. In fact they slow it all down because they have to handle to paper work twice as much as you do. You feel they are doing a good job because it takes so long. That all changes when you begin to misunderstand the situation & ask them questions.

You dont need a lawyer until you have a legal problem.

[Nath & Jordan 1]

I totally agree with the above statement. We used a lawyer from the start as we just felt as though they would make sure that we would get everything right the first time. Turns out we ended up filling out 95% of the paperwork ourselves and they just printed it up and sent it off. We had done all the forms with the lawyer in his office on i think october 15th, and we didnt end up getting our NOA1 until november 5th, so he obviously just left it collecting dust. Since then we got our NOA2 on march 30th, which he didnt even tel us about until 1 week later (luckily we got an email) but the whole time he didn't even bother to prepare us for the next step i.e downloading DS forms, obtaining police certificate and he went on a 3 week vacation. He also told my fiancee that in order to pay for my visa in london i had to call his office in indiana and do it through him as he said "its just easier that way", which is rubbish as its as simple as picking up the phone myself and paying for it. We have just parted company and we collected all of our things from his office and are so happy we will now be going it alone. VJ can give you the answer to everything you need, and has been a huge help to me and my fiancee (a lot more help than my lawyer) and it wont cost you $2800 like it has me and my fiancee This whole process is time sensitive to alomost everyone, so in my opinion i would NOT hire a lawyer. My ranting aside i don't know your circumstances and you still may want to hire a lawyer, but i just thought i would share my own experience with you.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey

Edited May 5, 2011 by Nath & Jordan

[Désirée689 0]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ANSWERS

[HotPinay-KoolKano 10]

Use the income guidelines found in form I-864P. There is a link to that form below in my signature. For a household of 2 that figure is currently $18,387..

Using an attorney will not guarantee approval. Being thorough in your document preparation and interview preparation ought to help you avoid delays in the process. If you feel comfortable with the forms and procedures and do not see any unusual circumstances in your petition it can be done without any visa service or attorney. If you are unsure or unable, then outside assistance may be helpful.

Do some reading here on VJ. It is a great do it yourself site.

Thank you for the good links in your signature.