Do i need a lawyer to apply to a Fiance visa?

[southcoast 27]

One thing I hear on here all the time is that you don't need a lawyer if your case doesn't have complications. This is certainly true, but the problem is that most people don't know whether their case is complicated. They don't know the issues that may cause a complication. I would recommend that everyone find a good lawyer, and have a consultation. This is usually free. Tell him the story and see what he says. Find out his rates, etc., and then make up your mind whether to go forward alone.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

No complications means....no criminal record, no adverse visa history, ie, overstays, illegal entry, removal, deportation, no prior visa applications by you and the beneficiary etc.

OP I would recommend you read the guides and research as much as possible. If you can produce all the documentation in the guides, follow the instructions and the example forms, pay attention to detail and understand the full process you should be ok without a lawyer. My friend hired a lawyer he messed alot up, she ended up doing most of it herself anyway and she just fired him and went on her own. I advised her to join this forum and she will be scheduling her beneficiary's interview soon. Save your money!

Read ahead, follow the flow chart, learn about the processing steps and times, know what to expect for AOS. Read ALL the forums, read about AP, read what goes on in your country portal, use the wiki. There is a wealth of info here! Good Luck!

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1tips

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Edited January 15, 2016 by LionessDeon

[EmilyW 1,548]

I'm guessing that every lawyer will say - regardless of whether the case is complicated - that you need a lawyer. They're not a charity.

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

The VJ community is strong and knowledgeable. Please do yourself, and your fiancè a favor, and read, read, read. There is a wealth of information available if you just look and read.

To answer your questions, on the VJ homepage (upper left) is a link titled, GUIDES (http://www.visajourn.../content/guides)

Within the GUIDES section there is a link for those filing for K1 Fiance Visas (http://www.visajourn...content/k1guide).

[Dashinka 25,583]

Using a lawyer for the i129 is really a matter of personal preference. As many of the previous posts have said, if it is a straightforward case, you can most likely do it yourself. If you do however decide to use a lawyer make sure you check around, there are many examples of poor lawyer advice, and lawyer problems that caused further delays. If you decide to do it yourself, you have come to the right place for advice. People here on VJ will help answer even the simplest or complicated question no matter how many times it was already asked.

Good Luck!

[minions2 24]

unless you have a complicated case otherwise save your money

[Juliob 0]

thanks everyone for your recommedations!

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

unless you have a complicated case otherwise save your money

I agree.

However, if you still aren't sure on how to do the paperwork, you have money to burn, and would like someone else to do it, you'll save more money with a visa service like www.easyfiancevisa.com or www.rapidvisa.com. I used a visa service because both my wife and I had very busy work lives and would rather spend our free time talking to each other than filling out paperwork.

That said, we filed the AOS and will be doing ROC and naturalization as DIY with the help of the VJ community and it's resources.

Good luck!

Edited January 18, 2016 by Mike-eeh and Odie

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Attempted unrelated thread hijack moved to own posting~

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/582444-missed-k1-interview-question-brazil-split-post/

Pitaya VJ Moderation

Edited January 18, 2016 by Pitaya