New to this. Do we really need a lawyer??

[BillyJean 0]

Hi all!

We are almost ready to start the process for the IR1/CR1 visa (what does that stand for anyways?). I've done a lot of research on both CR1 and K3 visas and chose to go for the CR1 because my husband will be a permanent resident as soon as he gets here.

I wanted to know whether or not you used a lawyer and how did it go. Did it make a difference if you had one? Did you feel you needed one if you didn't? Was it enough that you had done your research and gotten help from this website?

Thank you!!!

Mia

[Penguin_ie 5,999]

** Moving from AOS from Family to CR-1 visa form ****

[SF2007 48]

No. Not unless you've had issues with USCIS before.

Its a pretty straightforward procedure. You can get help on these forums and read the guides here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

[dimples 9]

Welcome to VJ!!! No one here will probably straight up tell you NO to getting a lawyer because all in all it depends on you. Taking the CR1 journey without the help of a lawyer simply requires RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH...which obviously takes time. Unless of course your cases is a complicated one and requires in dept knowledge about immigration.

I started out without even the thought of a lawyer because when we started this process I was not able to afford one. The VJ community here answered all my questions as silly as I thought they were there was always someone who took the time to respond to my fears and thoughts..

Start by taking a look at the guides it breaks down exactly what steps you need to take. Once you decide to take it on without a lawyers help you just need to commit the time and you'll be fine.

I am 6 months into waiting for my NOA2 and the waiting is definitely the hardest but the support here on VJ is amazing and makes the process that much easier!!

Good luck!

[Sandra G. 5,096]

You can do it!!!!You don't have to hire a lawyer for that.If you need any help with your case just email me ok sandrinhacv@hotmail.com

[Julie&Chris 1]

Hi all!

We are almost ready to start the process for the IR1/CR1 visa (what does that stand for anyways?). I've done a lot of research on both CR1 and K3 visas and chose to go for the CR1 because my husband will be a permanent resident as soon as he gets here.

I wanted to know whether or not you used a lawyer and how did it go. Did it make a difference if you had one? Did you feel you needed one if you didn't? Was it enough that you had done your research and gotten help from this website?

Thank you!!!

Mia

Hey!!

I entered the US on a K-1 visa but K-1 or K-3 I don't think getting a lawyer is worth the money being honest. We did everything ourselves. It was a little overwhelming but this website was A...MAZING! and its free so if you are willing to do some research I don't see why you can't do it yourself

Hope this helps!! and good luck

P.S we are also doing the AOS ourselves

[Ryan H 3,856]

I wanted to know whether or not you used a lawyer and how did it go. Did it make a difference if you had one? Did you feel you needed one if you didn't? Was it enough that you had done your research and gotten help from this website?

Did not use a lawyer, did not feel I needed one, enough that I did my own research utilizing VJ, CFL, and the government websites themselves (USCIS, NVC, Consulate).

[Brian121957 43]

First question to ask is do you need help organizing and filling out forms. Do you have the time to do the research.

I used an immigration service YFW (Your Filipino Wife) because I just did not have the time to do all the research but I did have the money to pay them. There rates were not to bad and they do specialize in US / Philippine cases.

[PAPUNMANMU 4]

I wanted to know whether or not you used a lawyer and how did it go. Did it make a difference if you had one? Did you feel you needed one if you didn't? Was it enough that you had done your research and gotten help from this website?

HI Welcome,

If you or your husband never had a run in with US immigration before and this will be your 1st time and there's nothing else that could stop you give to get an APPROVAL then NO Lawyer is needed. My husband and I just finished our process and now we are together as a family and we didn't get a lawyer just followed each steps on VJ and everything worked out well. There's a big support community here who we are always here to help and answered questions and you might even make some good friends too. Good luck God bless :thumbs:

[lubnajavid 20]

I have used a lawyer - im a LPR - almost at 4 yrs now and will be applying for my citizenship at the end of the year.

Got married last year - decided that a lawyer/attorney was the way to go because i wanted the peace of mind that the process and paperwork would be done right - i am of course checking their work also.

In my opinion i didnt want to risk having unnecesaary RFEs or delays or even denials (it was a long arduous trip to become a LPR for me) and having had previous USCIS experience - and used this attorney / law firm in the past for my LPR (work based) i knew what i had to work with.

Money spent is worth the peace of mind to me.

Whats your money worth is my point of view on this matter...

having said that - this forum is very useful - if for nothing else but the moral support and other people going through the same things...

[BillyJean 0]

No. Not unless you've had issues with USCIS before.

Its a pretty straightforward procedure. You can get help on these forums and read the guides here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

Thank you!

We have no previous history with immigration.

[BillyJean 0]

Welcome to VJ!!! No one here will probably straight up tell you NO to getting a lawyer because all in all it depends on you. Taking the CR1 journey without the help of a lawyer simply requires RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH...which obviously takes time. Unless of course your cases is a complicated one and requires in dept knowledge about immigration.

I started out without even the thought of a lawyer because when we started this process I was not able to afford one. The VJ community here answered all my questions as silly as I thought they were there was always someone who took the time to respond to my fears and thoughts..

Start by taking a look at the guides it breaks down exactly what steps you need to take. Once you decide to take it on without a lawyers help you just need to commit the time and you'll be fine.

I am 6 months into waiting for my NOA2 and the waiting is definitely the hardest but the support here on VJ is amazing and makes the process that much easier!!

Good luck!

Thank you!

I'll keep looking around this site; it's definitely really helpful!

Good luck on getting your NOA2!!! Does it usually take that long???

You can do it!!!!You don't have to hire a lawyer for that.If you need any help with your case just email me ok sandrinhacv@hotmail.com

Thanks for your support!

[BillyJean 0]

Hey!!

I entered the US on a K-1 visa but K-1 or K-3 I don't think getting a lawyer is worth the money being honest. We did everything ourselves. It was a little overwhelming but this website was A...MAZING! and its free so if you are willing to do some research I don't see why you can't do it yourself

Hope this helps!! and good luck

P.S we are also doing the AOS ourselves

Wow!

I was looking at your timeline and the process was really quick!

Congratulations on your baby!

Ours was just born in December 2011. I cant wait for him to meet his daddy! and my husband is so anxious to hold him!

I wonder if our process will be as fast (we're already married).

[BillyJean 0]

HI Welcome,

If you or your husband never had a run in with US immigration before and this will be your 1st time and there's nothing else that could stop you give to get an APPROVAL then NO Lawyer is needed. My husband and I just finished our process and now we are together as a family and we didn't get a lawyer just followed each steps on VJ and everything worked out well. There's a big support community here who we are always here to help and answered questions and you might even make some good friends too. Good luck God bless :thumbs:

Thank you!

I'm so glad for you and your husband. I hope to share a success story similar to your soon

God bless you!

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Hi!!! Just read the guides as everyone has said. If you have a question...no matter how silly...ask. Everyone here is so full of great information. Yes, you may get the occasional wise #### here...but you just ignore them.

Since no one answered you question as to what a IR1/CR1 is I will. CR1 is when you come as the spouse of a US citizen and you have been married for less than 2 years when you become a resident. Its a "Conditional Resident" and a two year green card is issued.After two years of conditional status...you must apply for ROC....Removal of Conditions. Its very important that this is done, VERY important.If ROC is successful, then a 10 year green card is issued. If at the time the spouse enters the US as a resident, the couple have been married for 2 or more years...then an IR1 is issued and the immigrant automatically gets a 10 year green card.