Nervous fiance.

[banjoruth 8]

Hello again, I am almost finished preparing my K-1 visa forms and photos...

The problem is, my fiancé in Vietnam is very nervous about this whole process. I have talked to her about this web site and the fact that we are fine preparing this ourselves and with the help of visajourney.

She made an appointment with a lawyer and they filled her head full of doubt. They told her they would walk her through the whole process from start to visa approval for $2,000. I told her I am doing all the work, and a lawyer will basically proof read our packet and mail. At a cost of $2,000

She is worried about her interview and believes she will say something wrong. I have told her it is all about the truth and us. That we will keep the whole process simple and honest. She is terrified that we will make a mistake and cost us another year or more apart. The lawyer has told her that she can help coach her for the interview. I am frustrated about this.

I would much rather spend our money on another visit, and preparing for our lives together.

Any words of encouragement for her? Any ideas how to comfort her on the interview process? Our case is simple and straight forward, nothing out of the ordinary. Just two people who fell in love 7,000 miles apart.

Thank you so much for any suggestions.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Some members in Vietnam subforum recommend Marc Ellis.

Maybe a brief consultation will help to reduce the fears about the interview.

If both of you feel good that your case has no major red flag, then you probably could go through the process yourself without the help of a lawyer.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357570-marc-ellis/

[Journeyer 17]

If you have a good lawyer that has been recommended by people who have already gone through the process, then it might be worth it to spend the extra money, if that gives you some peace of mind.

My overall experience with lawyers, was bad and worse. I had an initial consultation with 3 different lawyers, and they all told me things that I already knew were not true. There was even one who told me to apply for a fiancé visa even though I was already married!

She made an appointment with a lawyer and they filled her head full of doubt

Yeah, I had the same experience, one told me 'You'd better not try to do this yourself! You'll get into all sorts of trouble! I'm an immigration expert, you need me!'. That, after this lawyer had already told me things that I knew were not true from the research I did here. Well, I did it myself and we didn't get into any trouble and were approved.

My advice. Read here, ask questions, and educate yourself as much as possible. Then you will be more prepared to know if you need a lawyer or if you are hiring the right one if you decide to go that route.

Oh, and I edited this post to add: I think it's natural to feel nervous. This process does that to you. I think anyone who doesn't have nerves of steel is going to feel nervous. My wife and I were both nervous, but it all worked out in the end.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Journeyer

[Ilovemyman 147]

If you can read very well the instructions dont spend money in lawyer.

My fiance and me did the peocess ourself and we were approved, I am waiting my passport now.

[johnnyv 20]

I did the entire process, before not even knowing the fiance visa even existed. I did my research on this site, asked tons of questions, and made it through the entire process ourselves. We involved no lawyer, I didn't even speak to one. You can do it.

[Umka36 781]

When the time comes, can you be there for her interview (whether it be at the actual interview or for moral support)? Knowing that you will be there might calm her nerves/worries.

[SparklePony 238]

If you're willing to spend some money, it might be best to invest it in a plane ticket to Vietnam so you can attend the interview with her.

[MacUK 983]

Just remember one thing.

Lawyers aren't there to help you, they aren't there to bring loved ones together.

They only exist to make money and they'll probably still get paid even if you don't get the visa.

It's in their best interest to try to convince and scare your fiance into thinking that she needs them.

Unless there are serious issues in your case then all the lawyer will be doing is things you can do yourself.

And they wont work with the same sense of urgency that you would do yourself

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Hello again, I am almost finished preparing my K-1 visa forms and photos...

The problem is, my fiancé in Vietnam is very nervous about this whole process. I have talked to her about this web site and the fact that we are fine preparing this ourselves and with the help of visajourney.

She made an appointment with a lawyer and they filled her head full of doubt. They told her they would walk her through the whole process from start to visa approval for $2,000. I told her I am doing all the work, and a lawyer will basically proof read our packet and mail. At a cost of $2,000

She is worried about her interview and believes she will say something wrong. I have told her it is all about the truth and us. That we will keep the whole process simple and honest. She is terrified that we will make a mistake and cost us another year or more apart. The lawyer has told her that she can help coach her for the interview. I am frustrated about this.

I would much rather spend our money on another visit, and preparing for our lives together.

Any words of encouragement for her? Any ideas how to comfort her on the interview process? Our case is simple and straight forward, nothing out of the ordinary. Just two people who fell in love 7,000 miles apart.

Thank you so much for any suggestions.

If your case is straight-forward, there is nothing you have to worried about. My case was straight-forward, my fiance and I have been in relationship for over 5 years before filed I-129F. Better ask her to read reviews on the US embassy/consulate to get her an idea how the process would be. I spent hours reading reviews, step by step during the interview, and it made me more confident afterwards. Did she involve CCP?

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Duplicate thread removed~

[Jsobased 5]

I had no clue on any visas or immigration laws and I did the K-1 alone and got approved. Just read the guides here and follow the instructions and you'll be fine. If you have any doubts/problems just ask and the members here will help you. Save your money no need for a lawyer. If your relationship is real no need to be nervous because the questions they ask, you should easily know the answers.

[sweet cakes 326]

My fiance consulted with a lawyer in assembling our I-129f, and guess what? we received an RFE after 6 months of waiting. and that was before I stumbled upon visajourney! Good for you and your fiancee that you discovered VJ in this initial part of your journey. As for nervousness, that's normal.

As mentioned above, the lawyers are there to just look through your paperwork / check which info is/are missing. Coaching would be merely telling you what the typical questions are in your consulate, which you can easily read off from the consulate reviews here.

I definitely agree with the suggestion of going with your fiancee to the interview if you're willing to spend some money.

Edited April 1, 2014 by sweet cakes

[banjoruth 8]

When the time comes, can you be there for her interview (whether it be at the actual interview or for moral support)? Knowing that you will be there might calm her nerves/worries.

This is a possibility. Although hard to predict because of work responsibilities, but defiantly a possibility. I think it would be more comforting if I was there.

I would much rather spend $1,500 on airfare to VN instead of a lawyer.

One issue that came up was that we only have known each other 5 months. In this time i visited her in Hanoi for one week in December and finished my vacation in January and we spent another week in Ho Chi Minh City. So I have visited 2x's each time for 1 week. The lawyer said that was not enough?

[Journeyer 17]

I definitely agree with the suggestion of going with your fiancee to the interview if you're willing to spend some money.

This. I definitely think spending money for that is worth more than a lawyer. I spent the money I would have spent on a lawyer to visit my wife 2 times in Brazil and go to the interview with her.

Just my opinion, but I think this site is worth more than a lawyer, and it's free!

[Journeyer 17]

So I have visited 2x's each time for 1 week. The lawyer said that was not enough?

Are you saying that you have only spent a total of 2 weeks together, period, or that you have only spent 2 weeks with her in her country?