K1 visa, just starting.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Hey all, new here. My fiance and I are just starting the F1 visa journey, should be fun...not, lol. I am American, she is Filipina. We've known each other for going on 2 years. We've met in person twice, once in May in Manila and in July in Bangkok. I've met her family and we are very much in love.

She has never been married, no kids, no criminal record. I am divorced, with 3 grown kids, no criminal record.

I interviewed several immigration lawyers, I live in the DC/Balt area. I have chosen Matthew Glinsmann of Gaithersburg. His firm is high recommended. I had an initial meeting and went over all particulars. Got a good vibe from him, the only thing is the fees..the seem high, but maybe not. He charges a little over 4k to secure the F1 visa, then more if we do the green card once here.

I don't mind paying for excellent service, but man, that seems a lot, but is it worth it? Do we need to go this route? Any advise would be helpful.

[P.A.T 1]

If you can follow directions, you can do it yourself. Only reason to have a lawyer would be if you had some issues (criminal convictions, etc) or you absolutely hate filling out paperwork. Follow the K1 guide on this site and join the Filipino regional forum, that should take care of any questions you might have during the process.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

If you can follow directions, you can do it yourself. Only reason to have a lawyer would be if you had some issues (criminal convictions, etc) or you absolutely hate filling out paperwork. Follow the K1 guide on this site and join the Filipino regional forum, that should take care of any questions you might have during the process.

Thank you P.A.T..we both are very good at such tasks and both intelligent, (she is way smarter than me truth be told)...Thanks for the tip on the Filipino regional, I will go there now.

[P.A.T 1]

I think you mean the K-1 visa....not F-1

[Ron and Rhea 42]

I think you mean the K-1 visa....not F-1

Haha, yes I continually call it an F-1 visa for some reason.

[Austramerican 83]

Haha, yes I continually call it an F-1 visa for some reason.

I did that too, don't feel bad! Good luck on your K1! I'm also starting the process soon

[Ron and Rhea 42]

BTW, I saw an Asian forum but not Filipino, am I missing it? The lawyer said he can't get it done quicker on the surface, but did say that he is proactive on forms to file and will request them in advance and they know what errors that are committed usually. He said the whole process can be done in 6 months if everything goes as planned and from when the forms are first filed.

Not sure if any of this was BS

Edited August 18, 2011 by jetdoc3037

[Ron and Rhea 42]

I did that too, don't feel bad! Good luck on your K1! I'm also starting the process soon

Thanks, I see you're NOVA, I live in the DC/Balt area.

[missicy 87]

You should be able to do it on your own. Paperwork is relatively easy, nothing that you can't do by yourself. Honestly, lawyers are just a waste of money and time when your case is straight forward. There are guides on top of the page that you should study before you file and if you have any questions you can always ask here. Good luck!

[P.A.T 1]

Go to Regional Discussion --> Philippines Using a lawyer will not expedite the process, approval time depends on work load of the Service Center the US and the Embassy abroad. All the forms are available on www.uscis.gov and the US Embassy website in the Phillipines, you could fill them all out right now if you REALLY wanted and send in when the time comes.

[Austramerican 83]

Thanks, I see you're NOVA, I live in the DC/Balt area.

Oh, cool! Yep, I live in Manassas

[Ron and Rhea 42]

You should be able to do it on your own. Paperwork is relatively easy, nothing that you can't do by yourself. Honestly, lawyers are just a waste of money and time when your case is straight forward. There are guides on top of the page that you should study before you file and if you have any questions you can always ask here. Good luck!

I was thinking that, and this site was recommended...I mean, if he were charging 1000 or so, not bad, but over 4000 is kinda expensive...we could use that for our wedding.

I will ask here and tell my fiance about this place.

Go to Regional Discussion --> Philippines Using a lawyer will not expedite the process, approval time depends on work load of the Service Center the US and the Embassy abroad. All the forms are available on www.uscis.gov and the US Embassy website in the Phillipines, you could fill them all out right now if you REALLY wanted and send in when the time comes.

Ok, will check it out, thanks. It looks like the forms links on here are fillable, that is so helpful. Thanks for your advise.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Oh, cool! Yep, I live in Manassas

I live on the Eastern Shore, but work at BWI airport.

[P.A.T 1]

I recommend downloading all the forms from USCIS and Embassy websites since the forms usually have expiration date printed on them. Forms on VJ might be of an expired version since they're meant to be used as examples.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

I recommend downloading all the forms from USCIS and Embassy websites since the forms usually have expiration date printed on them. Forms on VJ might be of an expired version since they're meant to be used as examples.

Thanks P.A.T...will do. I really do not understand how the lawyer made it seem like it would be better to use him, I guess its his job.