k1 Visa questions

[MegL 1]

Hi,

my lawyer has been horrible with communication to say the least. I was hoping someone could tell me how long it usually takes after filing to receive an NOA1? I've read 2-3 weeks.I sent my lawyer my completed papers July 6th and I'm not entirely sure when he filed them but I have not gotten anything from USCIS yet...

[JeanneAdil 6,220]

completed papers ?  

did that include the application and signing it? or was it just documents to support your application?

the lawyer should supply you with copy of what he has sent 

he's the only one who can say when the NOA1 will come as he knows when the application was sent/ about a week after USCIS receives it

[Crazy Cat 39,362]

20 minutes ago, MegL said:

Hi,

my lawyer has been horrible with communication to say the least. I was hoping someone could tell me how long it usually takes after filing to receive an NOA1? I've read 2-3 weeks.I sent my lawyer my completed papers July 6th and I'm not entirely sure when he filed them but I have not gotten anything from USCIS yet...

Step 1:  Determine when the I-130 package was filed.  Attorneys don't always have the same sense of urgency as clients..

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

24 minutes ago, MegL said:

Hi,

my lawyer has been horrible with communication to say the least. I was hoping someone could tell me how long it usually takes after filing to receive an NOA1? I've read 2-3 weeks.I sent my lawyer my completed papers July 6th and I'm not entirely sure when he filed them but I have not gotten anything from USCIS yet...

Once it is mailed you should follow up with USCIS at the 30 day mark if you haven't heard from them. Have you seen if your check was cashed, that is another way to know it was received by USCIS. 

 

You need to reach out to the lawyer/office/paralegal for confirmation of WHEN it was sent. A lawyer is NOT always better. 

[MegL 1]

8 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

completed papers ?  

did that include the application and signing it? or was it just documents to support your application?

the lawyer should supply you with copy of what he has sent 

he's the only one who can say when the NOA1 will come as he knows when the application was sent/ about a week after USCIS receives it

he has google docs with all my supporting evidence, I sent him the completed and signed application July 6th.

[Letspaintcookies 2,213]

2 minutes ago, MegL said:

he has google docs with all my supporting evidence, I sent him the completed and signed application July 6th.

Ask him for the tracking number of your package that he sent. That's basically the first step, find out when it was sent and received by USCIS. There was a couple a while ago that found out after about 5 months that their lawyer had never sent the application. 

[MegL 1]

7 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

Once it is mailed you should follow up with USCIS at the 30 day mark if you haven't heard from them. Have you seen if your check was cashed, that is another way to know it was received by USCIS. 

 

You need to reach out to the lawyer/office/paralegal for confirmation of WHEN it was sent. A lawyer is NOT always better. 

I will definitely reach out at the 30 mark, hopefully my lawyer will answer me so I will actually know when that exact date is. I just checked and my check hasn't been cashed yet. The issue is to even speak with anyone on the phone i have to make an appointment ans they've ignored me multiple times making it difficult to speak with anyone in the firm.

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

1 minute ago, MegL said:

I will definitely reach out at the 30 mark, hopefully my lawyer will answer me so I will actually know when that exact date is. I just checked and my check hasn't been cashed yet. The issue is to even speak with anyone on the phone i have to make an appointment ans they've ignored me multiple times making it difficult to speak with anyone in the firm.

You are mixing things up a bit.... First your lawyer actually has to send it off to the USCIS. Once it is sent it can take 3-4 weeks before the check is cashed and you receive the NOA1. So you first have make sure that they sent it out because we have seen cases where the lawyer never sent it out until a month after receiving the paperwork. 

[SalishSea 16,814]

2 minutes ago, MegL said:

I will definitely reach out at the 30 mark, hopefully my lawyer will answer me so I will actually know when that exact date is. I just checked and my check hasn't been cashed yet. The issue is to even speak with anyone on the phone i have to make an appointment ans they've ignored me multiple times making it difficult to speak with anyone in the firm.

Why have you retained that lawyer?  You're paying them big bucks, and they're not even available for questions?  I would dump them and continue this process yourself, with the help of VJ.  Unless you need a waiver or have a criminal background, there really is no need for a lawyer for a K-1.

[MegL 1]

4 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

Ask him for the tracking number of your package that he sent. That's basically the first step, find out when it was sent and received by USCIS. There was a couple a while ago that found out after about 5 months that their lawyer had never sent the application. 

I will reach out today, def dont want that to happen! Thank you!

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

3 minutes ago, MegL said:

I will definitely reach out at the 30 mark, hopefully my lawyer will answer me so I will actually know when that exact date is. I just checked and my check hasn't been cashed yet. The issue is to even speak with anyone on the phone i have to make an appointment ans they've ignored me multiple times making it difficult to speak with anyone in the firm.

That is really frustrating. If you don't have any red flags and are willing to do the rest yourself are you able to get out of your contract moving forward? (I assume he would help you with the docs for the interview ) but unsure if you paid for that part yet. I understand if the lawyer can't speak with you but someone in the office should be able to. Do they have an email that may be better to communicate? Also, FYI, once you are able to get ahold of them ask for the tracking number; so you can verify (and have some peace of mind) when your lawyer actually mailed it AND see when it was received by USCIS.

[Letspaintcookies 2,213]

You definitely should get more involved in the process even if you keep the lawyer. Nobody will ever be as interested in your case than you. Don't solely rely on them. Good luck 😊

[MegL 1]

Hi,

my Fiance and I decided in April to go ahead with starting the k1 visa process. we decided to hire a lawyer as he doesn't have papers where he is and we wanted to make sure this wouldn't be an issue down the road. I sought out a lawyer in the US who is from my fiance's home country who would certainly understand the situation. However, he has been horrible to be in contact with, it took a month before his office called me back which should have been the first red flag but I signed an engagement letter with him and started the k1 process May 13th... as far as I know he still has not filed our papers. He has google docs with all our evidence since May and I sent him the signed I-129F application July 6th. The google docs haven't been opened since May so I sincerely doubt he submitted my application and I'm growing inpatient. Do I just tell him I dont want to move forward anymore and find someone new or stick it out and harass him until he finishes the papers? Keep in mind I cant just call, his assistant will insist I " make an appointment" and then the lawyer says "ok" then continues to take his sweet time with everything. I would do it myself but I'm concerned i'll make a mistake.

[payxibka 10,044]

6 minutes ago, MegL said:

Hi,

my Fiance and I decided in April to go ahead with starting the k1 visa process. we decided to hire a lawyer as he doesn't have papers where he is and we wanted to make sure this wouldn't be an issue down the road. I sought out a lawyer in the US who is from my fiance's home country who would certainly understand the situation. However, he has been horrible to be in contact with, it took a month before his office called me back which should have been the first red flag but I signed an engagement letter with him and started the k1 process May 13th... as far as I know he still has not filed our papers. He has google docs with all our evidence since May and I sent him the signed I-129F application July 6th. The google docs haven't been opened since May so I sincerely doubt he submitted my application and I'm growing inpatient. Do I just tell him I dont want to move forward anymore and find someone new or stick it out and harass him until he finishes the papers? Keep in mind I cant just call, his assistant will insist I " make an appointment" and then the lawyer says "ok" then continues to take his sweet time with everything. I would do it myself but I'm concerned i'll make a mistake.

I'm not sure what kind of mistake you could make that would cost you 4 months of delay like the lawyer has already cost you. 

[Boiler 43,576]

6 minutes ago, payxibka said:

I'm not sure what kind of mistake you could make that would cost you 4 months of delay like the lawyer has already cost you. 

Exactly