Question about lawyer helping us on US Tourist Visa application

[xwind 10]

Hi, I've hired an immigration lawyer to help my future fiance on her US Tourist Visa application. She and our (US citizen) son intend to visit me just for 2 months. We provided the lawyer with as much evidence as we could that may show strong ties, and as part of our agreement, he would choose which of them is best. Given that she's my future fiance (will be filing for a K1 as soon as her annulment case is over), and will be staying with me during her vacation, but that kind of works against us... so I figured a lawyer may be able to help us prove our point.

My concern is this.. My lawyer said he will craft a statement for us along with the necessary evidence of strong ties, and then send all of that to the US Embassy in Manila to be used on our interview date. From what I've found online, many sites say to NOT send documents to the embassy as they will be destroyed. Also I'm curious about this statement that the lawyer will write up for us. So far we've had to do everything ourselves, including completing the DS-160 form. I'm questioning whether it even helps having a lawyer. I hope I didn't just waste my money. Thoughts?

Can anyone else who hired a lawyer please share your experiences? Thanks.

Edited February 3, 2014 by xwind

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Sometimes, the Consular officers at the US consulate won't even look at the documents/evidence that the applicant has brought to the interview and already make up their mind based on the DS-160 form alone.. so.. good luck to you...

Having a US citizen son is a strong ties to US, CO will presume that she would likely to stay in US.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Merrytooth

[xwind 10]

Sometimes, the Consular officers at the US consulate won't even look at the documents/evidence that the applicant has brought to the interview and already make up their mind based on the DS-160 form alone.. so.. good luck to you...

Having a US citizen son is a strong ties to US, CO will presume that she would likely to stay in US.

I suggested to my lawyer that if she didn't bring our son along, that might make for a stronger case of her returning to the Philippines. But he thinks otherwise, he believes it's better to bring him. Basically the basis is that my son will be visiting me (he is only 4 yrs old) and she is merely accompanying him. She has ties to the Philippines such as her ongoing annulment case which she needs to be available for hearings, other ties such as money and property, and also my son currently attends school in the Philippines, so they can only stay for a short while. I'm just not sure if those are strong enough though..

Hmm that doesn't sound good from what you're saying.. because we wrote down on the DS-160 form that she is visiting and will be staying with the father of her child lol.

[xwind 10]

Anyone? I would just like to know what a lawyer can actually do to improve the likelihood of obtaining a Visitor Visa?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Nothing.

[Darnell 8,478]

spending money on a lawyer in the PI for a tourist visa is a great way to assuage yer loved one's fears, uncertainty, and doubts.

Sure, you already know what to submit, but yer not a lawyer.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Anyone? I would just like to know what a lawyer can actually do to improve the likelihood of obtaining a Visitor Visa?

They can improve the likely hood of seperating him from some money