Need Advice K1 Visa

[JennyRdz 0]

Hello, 

 

  I am a U.S. citizen and trying to bring my fiancé from the U.K. to join me. I really had difficulty understanding the paperwork, please be kind, I am nuerodivergent and it's a struggle doing these things. I decided to go with immigration attorneys. We have all the evidence of our relationship, visit each other, clean backgrounds, but the attorney's I spoke to want $25K or more. All five I have spoken to tells me it will be a year and a half until he's even approved. I have considered filing it myself again, but I need so much assistance. Are there cheaper avenues for this? For those that have filed it, I heard one mistake and you lose money, having to start all over again. How did you manage? All advice is welcomed. I've been crying at the costs and I just want us together.

[SalishSea 16,897]

6 minutes ago, JennyRdz said:

Hello, 

 

  I am a U.S. citizen and trying to bring my fiancé from the U.K. to join me. I really had difficulty understanding the paperwork, please be kind, I am nuerodivergent and it's a struggle doing these things. I decided to go with immigration attorneys. We have all the evidence of our relationship, visit each other, clean backgrounds, but the attorney's I spoke to want $25K or more. All five I have spoken to tells me it will be a year and a half until he's even approved. I have considered filing it myself again, but I need so much assistance. Are there cheaper avenues for this? For those that have filed it, I heard one mistake and you lose money, having to start all over again. How did you manage? All advice is welcomed. I've been crying at the costs and I just want us together.

Hi there!   Most of us have done our own processes as DIY.   If you have trouble understanding the paperwork and the process, an alternative to an attorney is to use a service like those who are “visa Journey partners” in the website margin.   (I haven’t used them, and I’m not endorsing them, just stating that  the option exists).

 

It will take up to two years to get your partner here.   US immigration is not fast, cheap or easy.   
 

But you’ve made a good start with finding VJ.   Even folks with lawyers come here to ask questions.

[JennyRdz 0]

Thank you so much for responding. I am well aware it's not fast, easy, or cheap. I think it's cheaper to DIY than paying $25K for an attorney. It's good to know there are people that can help here. I found out about this place through reddit. 

[TBoneTX 43,422]

An exceptionally reliable VJ Partner is:

https://www.visajourney.com/partners/platinum-immigration-services/

 

Forget attorneys and contact the above first.

 

(Note:  I have no conflict of interest in making this recommendation.)

[Crazy Cat 39,634]

4 minutes ago, JennyRdz said:

I think it's cheaper to DIY than paying $25K for an attorney.

That sounds pretty high, imo.   Is that for just the K-1 ?  

[beloved_dingo 1,939]

7 minutes ago, JennyRdz said:

Thank you so much for responding. I am well aware it's not fast, easy, or cheap. I think it's cheaper to DIY than paying $25K for an attorney. It's good to know there are people that can help here. I found out about this place through reddit. 

$25k is an absurd amount for an attorney to charge to assist with a K1 petition regardless. Where is your fiancé from?

 

Also - it is not necessarily true that if you make one mistake, you lose money and have to start over again. Some mistakes will cause the petition to be rejected outright (incorrect payment amount, incomplete/unsigned form, etc.), so you fix the mistake and send it back but they do not take your money/charge you if it is rejected in this manner. Some mistakes could result in an RFE (request for evidence), where USCIS will ask you to send them additional information before they make a decision. If an RFE is responded to properly (and timely), it also does not cause any huge issues - just potentially a delay. 

[JennyRdz 0]

34 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

An exceptionally reliable VJ Partner is:

https://www.visajourney.com/partners/platinum-immigration-services/

 

Forget attorneys and contact the above first.

 

(Note:  I have no conflict of interest in making this recommendation.)

Brilliant! Thank you so much!

 

[JennyRdz 0]

26 minutes ago, beloved_dingo said:

$25k is an absurd amount for an attorney to charge to assist with a K1 petition regardless. Where is your fiancé from?

 

Also - it is not necessarily true that if you make one mistake, you lose money and have to start over again. Some mistakes will cause the petition to be rejected outright (incorrect payment amount, incomplete/unsigned form, etc.), so you fix the mistake and send it back but they do not take your money/charge you if it is rejected in this manner. Some mistakes could result in an RFE (request for evidence), where USCIS will ask you to send them additional information before they make a decision. If an RFE is responded to properly (and timely), it also does not cause any huge issues - just potentially a delay. 

Yes, it is an absurd amount. He's from the UK. I think they were trying to frightened me from doing it myself so I could pay them. Thank you.

33 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That sounds pretty high, imo.   Is that for just the K-1 ?  

Yes, K1 and they said it covers the green card after the three years he stays after marriage. Madness. I'm happy I found out about this site. 

[Cathi 5,621]

My advice is a marry and file  a CR1. Less expensive by far and no waiting to work or travel for partner after arriving.

[TBoneTX 43,422]

Let us know what Platinum says after you contact them.

[redmist 10]

25k??? Holy moly. We used Boundless who had and I think still do have a reduced deal since fees are supposed to get more expensive. Their rate is usually 1k flat + I-129F which is 535$. They're also advertised on this site. 

[carmel34 3,537]

14 hours ago, JennyRdz said:

We have all the evidence of our relationship, visit each other, clean backgrounds, but the attorney's I spoke to want $25K or more.

Run from any attorney or service that asks for more than $5K.  VJ is a great DIY site, many here are willing to answer your questions so you can avoid paying attorneys and the many careless mistakes they often make.

[JennyRdz 0]

Thank you all for your advice and help. I will update everyone some time next week! I'm so happy there's alternatives out there. 

[TexasRafael 106]

23 hours ago, JennyRdz said:

Hello, 

 

  I am a U.S. citizen and trying to bring my fiancé from the U.K. to join me. I really had difficulty understanding the paperwork, please be kind, I am nuerodivergent and it's a struggle doing these things. I decided to go with immigration attorneys. We have all the evidence of our relationship, visit each other, clean backgrounds, but the attorney's I spoke to want $25K or more. All five I have spoken to tells me it will be a year and a half until he's even approved. I have considered filing it myself again, but I need so much assistance. Are there cheaper avenues for this? For those that have filed it, I heard one mistake and you lose money, having to start all over again. How did you manage? All advice is welcomed. I've been crying at the costs and I just want us together.

I could not afford an attorney, so I used a service that helps you fill out the application and also reviews all you do to assure that you are not making any mistakes.  I have used them for my K1 Visa, and my application was approved all the way and I have used them for the application for the Spousal Visa and they have been very helpful.  I appreciated the peace of mind that I was not doing something wrong or answering a question incorrectly. I have been very pleased with them with the understanding that they do not guaranty anything other than they will help you with your application and will review the content.  I highly recommend them. You can message me if you want to know more.

[A031 2]

I recommend looking at YouTube and searching "k1 visa packet" they will show you each part you need to include in your petition. Along with this, check the uscis website and a few other visa websites and include everything they ask for, and what is recommended to have overwhelming evidence. Also, when filling out the documents try to be thorough and look up any part you do not understand. As others have pointed out the CR1 may be a better option now, when I first applied 2 years ago it seemed as if K1 was slightly better with handling Covid.