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Kevin Ball

Did you do the I-129F packet yourself or through a lawyer?

By Kevin Ball in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

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Kevin Ball Newbie

Kevin Ball   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

There has been a lot of issues when it came to paying someone else to do their I-129F packet. When I called to see how much mine packet was going to cost. They told me 1,100 US dollars. I decided to do my own packet. Did anyone else do their own or went through a lawyer?

AUGUST 1ST, 2011 - SENT I-129F PACKAGE

AUGUST 4TH, 2011 - USCIS (VT) RECEIVED I-129F PACKAGE

AUGUST 5TH, 2011 - NOA1 (I-797C)NOTICE DATE

AUGUST 8TH, 2011 - BOA CASHIER'S CHECK CASHED & I-797C SMS MESSAGE

AUGUST 11TH, 2011 - RECEIVED NOA1 HARD COPY

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mrsalfayad Explorer

mrsalfayad   6

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Syria
 Timeline
Posted

Did it all myself. Its really not that complicated as long as you follow all the directions and triple check that you've dotted all your I's and crossed all your T's.

Be organized and be methodical. Its not that difficult. I approached it with the mindset that the person who would be reading my petition doesn't know me or my fiance, so its important to spell everything out regarding our relationship and our intentions.

I included a letter explaining how we met, how we decided to get married, our wedding plans and our plans for the future. It gives them a good overview of your relationship and establishes the authenticity of it.

Other than that, I just made sure to separate each of the sections using tab dividers, labeled everything, and followed the instructions for putting the packet together from the USCIS website. Its not worth $1100 to have someone else do it for you! You're going to be spending $340 to submit the package and then another $300+ for the interview -- save money while you can because immigration isn't cheap!!

Good luck!

K1 Fiance Visa Process
3/30/2011: I-129F sent
4/5/2011: NOA1 received from VSC
7/11/2011: consular services in Damascus suspended
8/3/2011: NOA2 received online via USCIS website
8/5/2011: NOA2 hard copy received
8/8/2011: transfer requests sent to Beirut, Ankara and Amman consulates
8/12/2011: NVC received case
8/21/2011: transfer request approved by Amman
8/23/2011: NVC approved case transfer, new case # assigned
8/25/2011: case mailed to consulate from NVC
9/4/2011: received by Amman consulate, Packet 3 received via email, interview scheduled
9/25/2011: INTERVIEW! Result: Request for further information
10/11/2011: Additional information sent
11/14/2011: Case placed into Mandatory Administrative Processing
3/20/2012: Embassy request for updated police certificate, civil record and medical exam
4/22/2012: Requested documents sent to Embassy
5/8/2012: VISA IN HAND!!!

Total time from petition to approval: 58 weeks
Total time in AP: 25 weeks

6/17/2012: POE @ JFK Airport
7/14/2012: Married in Rochester, NY (L)(L)

Adjustment of Status & Employment Authorization

9/24/2012: I-485 and I-765 sent, filed jointly

9/27/2012: NOA1 for I-485 and I-765 received from NBC

11/5/2012: Biometrics Appointment at Buffalo Field Office

12/14/2012: I-765 Employment Authorization Received (11 weeks from petition to receipt)

7/29/2013: Welcome Letter / Green Card notification received without interview (10 months from NOA1)

Removal of Conditions

6/30/2015: I-751 sent to VSC

7/10/2015: NOA 1 for I-751

8/6/2015: Biometrics Appointment at Buffalo Field Office
Thank God things moved along pretty well and I could stop keeping track of dates for a while...

N-400

2/13/2017: CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY

HARMONY2012 Collaborator

HARMONY2012   16

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

As long as you have VJ as a guide, I think you are ok doing it yourself. I am also doing it on my own without the help of a lawyer...although a very good friend of mine is an immigration lawyer and helped me out on alot of things for free....the rest I figured out through using VJ. Goodluck!! XOXO

"No weapon formed against me shall prosper"

patient2010 Experienced

patient2010   93

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

I did mine myself and didnt even know about VJ until after I mailed my pkt out.....No need to use a lawyer just pay attention to detail and you will be fine. :thumbs:

November 5, 2010 Interview 7am APPROVED!!!!!! (6months 4weeks 1day) THANK YOU LORD!!!!!

(look at my about me page in my profile if you want to see my entire k1 journey)

AOS Journey:

Feb.4, 2011 Mailed AOS packet

Feb. 7, 2011 Pkt delivered in Chicago

Feb. 10, 2011 Received txt and email of NOA for AOS, EAD, and AP

Feb. 11, 2011 Check cashed for AOS

Feb. 12, 2011 Touched

Feb. 14, 2011 received hard copy of NOA for AOS, EAD& AP

Feb. 18, 2011 received appt letter for biometrics

Feb. 28, 2011 biometrics appt @10am

Feb. 28, 2011 received txt/email AOS case transferred to csc

Mar 1, 2011 AOS Touched

Mar 3, 2011 received hard copy of AOS transfer to csc

Mar 4, 2011 AOS Touched

Mar 28, 2011 Received txt/email saying card production has been ordered. (1month 3eeks 3days)

Mar 28, 2011 Received 2nd txt/email saying we have registered this customer permanent residence status

Mar 29, 2011 Received 3rd txt/email says card production has been ordered.

April 1, 2011 greencard and welcome letter in hand!!

April 5, 2011 received txt/email EAD card production ordered

Will Start Removing Conditions Dec 2012!!!!

Dec. 26, 2012 mailed ROC paperwork

Dec. 28, 2012 NOA for ROC paperwork

Jan. 7, 2013 received bio appt letter

Jan. 24, 2013 bio appt.

June 22, 2013 10yr green card received

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san diego Proficient

san diego   407

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

I did through the lawyer. Total K1 process (not counting fees) was $1,500. I think this is reasonable. This is not about the cost but quality of the lawyer. You need lawyer only in case something goes wrong, and it is better be a good one!

mugumogu Collaborator

mugumogu   18

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
 Timeline
Posted

I am using the assistance of an immigration consultant. Much cheaper than a lawyer and very helpful!

K-1 Visa
04-29-2011: I-129F Sent
05-05-2011: I-129F NOA1
07-18-2011: I-129F NOA2
08-08-2011: NVC Received
08-09-2011: NVC Left
08-10-2011: Consulate Received
08-26-2011: Consulate mailed Packet 3 (invitation letter)
09-01-2011: Packet 3 (invitation letter) Received in US
09-10-2011: Packet 3 (invitation letter) Received in Mexico
09-22-2011: Interview: APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10-04-2011: DHL Waybill number appears in the afternoon
10-05-2011: Picked up visa from DHL office
11-08-2011: POE Houston, Texas
11-19-2011: Married!

AOS
12-06-2011: Applied for Social Security Number
12-08-2011: AOS package sent (I-485, I-765, I-131, and supporting docs)
12-12-2011: Received Social Security Number and card in the mail
12-20-2011: Received NOA1 for I-485, I-765, and I-131
01-06-2012: Completed ASC appointment
02-02-2012: Received appointment notice for AOS interview on March 1, 2012
03-01-2012: Green card interview: APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
03-10-2012: Green card received

ROC

12-27-2013: I-751 Sent

01-02-2014: Received NOA1 for I-751

01-24-2014: Completed ASC appointment

04-01-2014: APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (no interview)

CITIZENSHIP

11-14-2016: N-400 Sent

05-19-2017: Naturalization interview:  APPROVED!!!!!!!

06-28-2017: Citizenship ceremony

MatthewNCarolina Rising Star

MatthewNCarolina   73

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Brazil
 Timeline
Posted

I have the best lawyer ever, it's called Visa Journey and the cost it's $0000! :thumbs:

No, really.. before we sent the package, we made a long research and found this website, did everything on our own and followed the very helpful tips and examples here. No RFE's, we were approved within a little over 3 months under Vermont and now waiting for the interview to come! Everything was easy and smooth so far, and we are very thankful for VJ.

If you don't want to pay the lawyer anymore, you should be fine doing the right research and with the advices/tips here, many others did it! Good luck!

03/17/2011- Mailed K1 petition

03/25/2011- Email and text NOA1, routed to VSC

03/25/2011- Check cashed

07/05/2011- NOA2, USCIS website, text and email!
10/04/2011- Interview, APPROVED!
10/23/2011- POE - Dulles
11/08/2011- WEDDING!
11/15/2011- Applied for SSN
01/18/2012- AOS package sent
01/24/2012- NOA1 for AOS, EAD & AP
01/25/2012- Check cashed for AOS
02/16/2012- AOS & EAD biometrics
02/13/2012- AOS case transferred to CSC
02/21/2012- AOS application received at CSC
03/15/2012- EAD/AP cards approved
03/26/2012- EAD/AP combo card received
07/30/2012- Service Request on AOS, past 6 months mark...
08/28/2012- Ombudsman & Senator contacted, past 7 months mark...
09/04/2012- AOS Approved!
09/10/2012- GC in hand!

08/13/2014- Mailed I-751(ROC) package to VSC

08/15/2014- Delivered

08/18/2014- NOA1/Letter of Extension

08/20/2014- Check cashed

09/17/2014- Biometrics

02/18/2015- Card Production Ordered/ Approved!

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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be fierce! Be consistent, know no bounds, take pleasure in the little things, make love your sole focus, don't submit until you have absolutely no way out........

imdustin Contributor

imdustin   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

I'm doing my own...haven't sent it off yet...waiting for her stuff to come in the mail so I can send it hopefully soon...so here's hoping I did everything right...I don't think you need the lawyer...there's enough people here to help and as long as you can follow directions I think everything is golden....good luck everyone

06/23/2010 Met online, became fast friends

09/10/2010 Became Couple

06/06/2011 Flew to Philippines met for first time

06/14/2011 Engaged :)

06/26/2011 Last time I saw my fiance

09/19/2011 Started Petition process

04/09/2012 Fiance visa approved

06/18/2012 Married

Amy_and_Victor Collaborator

Amy_and_Victor   159

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

It's Victor from Russia writing. We did it by ourselves, it's no reason to pay to lawyer except cases when you have difficult case (like your fiancee was departed from US, etc.). VJ and Russians fiance(ee)s forum gave us so much info that I sure many lawyers don't know so much about K-1 visa. Good luck! :)

Our timlines K1 visa - Citizenship (06.28.2011 - 08.01.2016)

K1 Visa Timeline (06.28.2011 - 04.07.2012)

  • 06-28-2011: I-129F sent to Dallas
  • 07-05-2011: NOA1 (CSC)
  • 01-05-2012: NOA2 (184 days since NOA1)
  • 01-13-2012: NVC passed
  • 01-19-2012: Embassy received our case
  • 02-14-2012: Interview PASSED! :D K-1 Visa Approved! :D
  • 03-08-2012: POE
  • 04-07-2012: Wedding!

AOS/EAD Timeline (04.26.2012 - 12.13.2012)

  • 04-26-2012: I-485 and I-765 sent to Chicago Lockbox
  • 05-02-2012: NOA1 (both I-485 and I-765)
  • 05-23-2012: Biometrics taken
  • 07-02-2012: Employment Authorization Issued (07-09-2012 - received in the mail)
  • 12-03-2012: Made Service Request for I-485, because case is beyond processing time
  • 12-07-2012: I-485 APPROVED! 219 days since NOA1. No interview/RFE
  • 12-13-2012: GreenCard in the mailbox, done with AOS!

Lifting of conditions Timeline (09.04.2014 - 01.14.2015)

  • 09-04-2014: I-751 sent to CSC
  • 09-08-2014: NOA1
  • 11-10-2014: Biometrics taken
  • 01-07-2015: Approved! Only 122 days since NOA1. No interview/RFE
  • 01-14-2015: GreenCard in the mailbox

Citizenship Timeline (09.03.2015 - 01.08.2016)

- 09-03-2015: N-400 sent to Phoenix

- 09-10-2015: NOA1

- 10-08-2015: Biometrics taken

- 10-28-2015: Case is in line for an interview

- 11-02-2015: Letter with Naturalization Interview Appointment

- 12-07-2015: Interview passed

- 01-08-2016: Naturalization Oath Ceremony, I'm a US citizen now!

tTM3p3.png

thepizzadude Proficient

thepizzadude   26

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

It's Victor from Russia writing. We did it by ourselves, it's no reason to pay to lawyer except cases when you have difficult case (like your fiancee was departed from US, etc.). VJ and Russians fiance(ee)s forum gave us so much info that I sure many lawyers don't know so much about K-1 visa. Good luck! :)

It can be done very easily as long as you do not have any extinuating circumstances. Follow the guides provided here and enjoy the benefits of many who have passed this way before you and happily supply their wealth of knowledge to help.

Check the info in my siggie for some help if you need it.

Mailed n-400 : 4-3-14

USCIS Received : 4-4-14

NOA1 Sent : 4-8-14

Biometrics Appt Letter Sent : 4-14-14

Biometrics Appt : 5-5-14

usaflag.gifphilippinesflag.gif

Poverty Guidelines : http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf
VisaJourney Guides : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides
K1 Flowchart : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k1flow
K1/K3 AOS Guide : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos
ROC Guide : http://www.visajourney.com/content/751guide

DSC04023-1.jpg0906091800.jpg93dc3e19-1345-4995-9126-121c2d709290.jpg

3t3rnal Explorer

3t3rnal   3

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Laos
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

i did my whole packet & made 2 extra copies everything put together by myself in like a weekend

very simple, no rfe's & got my noa2 n less then 3months or so

only problem was i put in a $350 check 1st go & got my whole packet sent back then i had to resend it back in w/ the right amount $340, they could've just kept the change & saved me 2 weeks of torture

u dont need a lawyer unless u got some legal complications in ur closet

Edited by 3t3rnal

Every minute felt like an eternity time, clearly as if it had malicious intent, slowly ebbing away from me. I clenched my teeth, and keeping myself from crying was the only thing I could do…

-5cm/s

 
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