Conflicting info regarding wait times

[Que Saudade 284]

This looks like it is going to be another wonderful post that proves that we have better success by filing ourselves and reading here on VJ. Also, saves you some $$$$$. Lawyers are of no value with a straightforward application. They are also of no value with some that are not so straight forward. The experiences here on VJ are a very accurate depiction of how this process works. Not just the problems, but also success stories. I have seen many couples here on VJ that received better, not to mention accurate, advice from members than the advice they got from a lawyer. In fact, as most will attest to, I have seen cases where the lawyer actually screwed up the application and caused a delay.

Good luck with the rest of your journey and welcome to the fold.....

[Brian121957 43]

I did not read all of the replies,, but to say they lied is pretty strong. Overly optimistic might be closer to the truth.

We are on track from submission to visa in hand of just under 6 months and that is with 1 RFE.

A lot of things to be factored in not to mention that Vermont has always been slower and is extremely slow compared to California right now 122 vs. 66 days. I personal do not recommend an immigration lawyer at ($1000’s) but unless you have the time to research, I do recommend the visa services at ($100’s) to speed up the process. I am using YFW visa services as they specialize in Filipino and know that process very well.

[bigdog 377]

The process is what it is, being Canadian might speed up your interview process, but! Everyone here is active and going through the process, can't get much more current than that.

[Tim/Mav 305]

My thought why Attorneys and Visa Services and alike say they can speed up the Immigration Process. Its the paperwork .. Most people get overwhelmed by the forms and requirements and will sit there for weeks looking at it. (Like I did) Then, we give up and seek help. So there promise of speeding up the process is true. (IF YOUR STARING AT IT AND NEVER FILE THEN THAT SLOWS THE PROCESS) They make money filing your paperwork that we did'nt fully understand and were afraid to do it alone. So thats why they say we can get it done faster and is a legal statement. As far as the legal USCIS process it is no faster than you filed yourself.

[Tim/Mav 305]

I did not read all of the replies,, but to say they lied is pretty strong. Overly optimistic might be closer to the truth.

We are on track from submission to visa in hand of just under 6 months and that is with 1 RFE.

A lot of things to be factored in not to mention that Vermont has always been slower and is extremely slow compared to California right now 122 vs. 66 days. I personal do not recommend an immigration lawyer at ($1000's) but unless you have the time to research, I do recommend the visa services at ($100's) to speed up the process. I am using YFW visa services as they specialize in Filipino and know that process very well.

[S and P 9]

Hey everyone! We are new to VJ, so I'll start with a little bit of background info. I'm from Arkansas, and I met my Canadian fiancee online in November of 2010. We fell in love almost instantly and knew we wanted to be together forever! We hired RapidVisa to help us with the K1 process. Our packet was received at Vermont Service Center on June 10, and we are still waiting for NOA2. The people at RapidVisa told us from the beginning that this entire process takes 4-6 months. That is from the time the servicing center receives the packet until the interview time. Montreal will be his interview location. We have been reading some accounts on VJ that really vary from that timeline we were given. We would love to hear from all the Canadians who have gone, or are still going through the K1 process. Thanks for all of your help:)

We had a lawyer that told us 3-5 months total..... NOT TRUE! The lawyer was a complete waste of time and money, wish I have found this place first!! We applied in August of 2010, nothing about our case was unusual, no RFE's and my then fiancee (now husband ) didn't have his visa in hand until June 30, 2011.... so yeah 10 months total..... sorry for the bad news... and good luck to you!

[gtoddv 1]

I know this is a old thread but I had to respond. We used RapidVisa for our K-1. The time from NOA1 to NOA2 was 4 months on the nose. According to recent information from the NVC we should have our embassy packet by next week. RapidVisa wouldn't lie because the business would suffer. There are too many websites that would call them out and ruin business. I did a background check on the company before using it so I was reasonably certain they were on the up and up.

I am sure there are people that have had some bad experiences with them, but I have never heard a reliable negative review. Anyone who would say they would outright lie to a customer is probably a bad source for any information. As most of us know, this is an unpredictable process at best, so you never know how it will go for a particular case. However, the 4-6 month timeline is proved to be correct if you look on this site regardless of the use of RapidVisa. Perhaps Canada is a different case altogether.

The Philippines, using the Vermont service center, is running around 180 days from NOA1 to interview.

If you are in doubt about how long your process is taking, check the timelines. While they don't account for many variables, at least you will get a general idea of when things should be happening.

(and just for everyone reading this, I have gotten excellent customer service from RapidVisa. They answer all questions quickly.)

[Dan & Jenni 457]

I have gotten excellent customer service from RapidVisa. They answer all questions quickly.)

so do the members of VJ... and they dont charge for the help