Will an Immigration Attorney speed things up?

[Ruteger 0]

Sorry if this q has been answered before, but what are the pros and cons of using an immigration attorney to handle the K-1 visa process? Is one really necessary? Can I save several months of processing time with an attorney to justify the cost (assuming I do everything right by processing the paperwork myself)?

Thanks,

Ruteger

[lquin 0]

Sorry if this q has been answered before, but what are the pros and cons of using an immigration attorney to handle the K-1 visa process? Is one really necessary? Can I save several months of processing time with an attorney to justify the cost (assuming I do everything right by processing the paperwork myself)?

Thanks,

Ruteger

I see no real benefit to using an immigration attorney when your case is simple, I would only use one for

complex cases.

It basically comes down to how confident you are filling out the forms, and to be honest even if they fill them out for you, you still have to supply them with the information.

Using an Attorney will not speed up your application unless you dont have the time to do it yourself.

Goodluck on your journey !

[joeyjoey 1]

Sorry if this q has been answered before, but what are the pros and cons of using an immigration attorney to handle the K-1 visa process? Is one really necessary? Can I save several months of processing time with an attorney to justify the cost (assuming I do everything right by processing the paperwork myself)?

Thanks,

Ruteger

Can you save several months of processing time using an Attorney? Absolutely not. They file the same papers that you file for $170. Then YOU wait in line like the rest of us. There is no short cut via an Attorney. Only to take your money!

[Ladylethal 12]

The right answer to me would be, not necessarily. An attorney can speed things up if you have a complicated case that will require more attention and care or it could even slow your case down if you don't hire a good one and they don't perform their tasks with care, like forgetting to send things and getting you an RFE, or taking their time to reply to some request, etc.

[chuckandkim 0]

Keep in mind, any lawyer who advertises their 100% SUCCESSFUL RATE, is only telling you their successful rate of approval NOA2 which I would say: everyone on this board who didn't use a lawyer get an NOA2 pretty soon after they file, especially if they file through VSC. hehehehehe... so do not mistaken with the ADS from these lawyers.... Your ultimate goal is getting the Visa in the fiance's passport!

To answer your question: It depends! I notice people who have criminal background or prior immigration issues will and I mean they WILL need a lawyer to sort things out and file the neccessary waivers and what not. Speeding things up? YEAH, speeding it up to where 90% of the folks who have no questionable backgrounds or immigration troubles, meaning it will speed you up to where the "normal" joe may be! AND then you can wait like the rest of jones

Lawyer will give you a peace of mind, knowing they suppose to know everything is pretty comforting feeling then you start reading more and more information on Visa Journey which is the most up to date (90%) hahaha and it scares the ####### out of you... thinking... OH MY, i don't think my lawyer is aware of this new changes at the consulate/embassy where my case is sitting.

Bottom line is, ask yourself: Do have the money and time to do this for my fiance/love/wife/husband? If you say YES and NO then hire a lawyer! If you say No and Yes, then you can start downloading the PDF forms from this site and come back with questions... I am 100% someone on this board will be more than happy to get you started... FYI: read the FAQ's and Guides first before post your questions!

Good luck and I did have a lawyer, nothing to complain and was happy with the level of service was provided.

Chuck and Kim

[CarolineM 0]

Not always - and in fact sometimes it has slowed people down....There are several members who had lawyers who messed them up worse!! Search the threads for your same question and you'll see some success and some horror stories,.

[Caladan 19]

It depends on what you mean by 'speed up.' For some people, it may be worth it to contact an experienced attorney so they don't have to do all the research themselves. And if your case is complicated, a lawyer can be a help to keep you from making mistakes.

But it's certainly not the case that having an attorney means you get to skip ahead in the line or jump ahead in the process.

[robacjd 1]

I hired an atorney and I believe he helped speed up my petition. The CIS received my petition on July 18th and was approved on September 18th. (60 days) I never received any RFE's or any touches at all. I noticed there were a lot of other petitions that were filed long before mine and they are still waiting to be approved. The attormey has helped me with my petition and my Fiancee's paper work. He has done everything up to the day of her medical and the interview.

I was going to do it myself, but there is so much conflicting information, because each country has their own rules and sometimes different forms and procedures. I researched information on USCIS, VisaJourney, ***removed***, and Pinoyinfo.

Good luck!

Edited December 7, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Michelle_Otman 0]

Hi Ruteger-

i had gotten attorney and now i wish i wouldn't of. this website is so wonderful. my petition date is april 5th 2006, and i dont feel it was any faster. people say it would be and thats y i took my money to pay for a attorney and not a trip to see my fiance. Now if i could do things different i would of done it myself.. all i can say the attorney helped with was they put the petition together and told me that our intent letter should be everything from who u are to when u met and how and when u seen him/her y u want to marry your fiance.. about his/her family your family.... they advised me it should be at least 2-3 pages long... show everything that has to do with u and your fiance... best of luck.... i am waiting for my packet from NVC... cross your fingers... and it does all depend on where u have to send your petition.. and really i believe they do what they want anyways....

michelle/otman

Sorry if this q has been answered before, but what are the pros and cons of using an immigration attorney to handle the K-1 visa process? Is one really necessary? Can I save several months of processing time with an attorney to justify the cost (assuming I do everything right by processing the paperwork myself)?

Thanks,

Ruteger

[kitkat1 5]

I hired an atorney and I believe he helped speed up my petition. The CIS received my petition on July 18th and was approved on September 18th. (60 days) I never received any RFE's or any touches at all. I noticed there were a lot of other petitions that were filed long before mine and they are still waiting to be approved. The attormey has helped me with my petition and my Fiancee's paper work. He has done everything up to the day of her medical and the interview.

I was going to do it myself, but there is so much conflicting information, because each country has their own rules and sometimes different forms and procedures. I researched information on USCIS, VisaJourney, ***removed***, and Pinoyinfo.

Good luck!

An attorney cannot impact the speed a petition is processed. The reason your petition went quickly was because you were one of the lucky post IMBRA filers who sped through. The only thing the attorney helped with was making sure the paperwork was complete and in order, thereby avoiding a delay due to an RFE.

To the OP, unless you don't feel confident in your ability to organize everything or your case is somewhat complicated, an attorney will not do anything for you except give you peace of mind and take your money.

[Taye500 0]

Sorry if this q has been answered before, but what are the pros and cons of using an immigration attorney to handle the K-1 visa process? Is one really necessary? Can I save several months of processing time with an attorney to justify the cost (assuming I do everything right by processing the paperwork myself)?

Thanks,

Ruteger

Immigration Attorneys ain't worth a dime. I did it all by myself and God's willing, our case will be approved on Nov. 9th at the embassy. Follow the VJ and it will guide you to the dream land. I bet some Lawyers use Vj too. Goodluck and Godbless!!

[robhankins 0]

Sorry if this q has been answered before, but what are the pros and cons of using an immigration attorney to handle the K-1 visa process? Is one really necessary? Can I save several months of processing time with an attorney to justify the cost (assuming I do everything right by processing the paperwork myself)?

Thanks,

Ruteger

If you pay close attention to the content of this forum, you don't need an attorney. They can actually slow your process. They are not as driven as you are to get papers filed ASAP. They only know details you share with them. There is no benefit to any educated person in using an attorney for a plain vanilla visa case. If other issues are involved, maybe you need one.

[meauxna 15]

OP:

Clearly the answer lies in knowing if your case is complicated, or not.

How will you know if you have 'issues'?

[rebeccajo 14]

OP:

Clearly the answer lies in knowing if your case is complicated, or not.

How will you know if you have 'issues'?

Agreed. The longer I am on this board the more reluctant I am to say 'you don't need a lawyer'.

I had an honest immigration attorney tell me via phone consultation - 'you don't need me to help you - and if you run into something later on I can be retained at that point'.

[meauxna 15]

OP:

Clearly the answer lies in knowing if your case is complicated, or not.

How will you know if you have 'issues'?

Agreed. The longer I am on this board the more reluctant I am to say 'you don't need a lawyer'.

I had an honest immigration attorney tell me via phone consultation - 'you don't need me to help you - and if you run into something later on I can be retained at that point'.

God bless him, eh?