typical US Laywer fees for filing K-1 Visa?

[rouguewave 7]

The more I look over the guide the more it seems crazy to pay much for a lawyer. Kind of like paying a lawyer to help you fill out your application for a passport.

How long does the K-1 Visa process take from sending in the petition to getting the green card? I was told it could take from 6 to 8 months. If it was to take that long would I be able to go to the USA on a visitors VISA in that period of waiting for my greencard?

Also, I am still unclear about what happens after we are married and that 2 years in the USA thing. It means I have to live in the USA for 2 year after marriage? But I can leave for vacation right?

Actually, I think its more like paying a Tax Attorney to fill out the short form to pay your taxes. Of course, I don't know what tax forms are like in Canada.

With my ex-wife, we hired an Immigration Attorney to file the paperwork to change from a J-1 visa (I think) to obtain her Permanant Residency. It cost us $2400 and they: screwed up more forms than they got right, were not prompt in filing or following up on things; did not agressively pursue answers when we had questions about "What the hell's happening?" and generally felt like an uncomfortable buffer (instead of advocate) between ourselves and INS (now USCIS). Consider this: if THEY do the filing, you are just one of ?? clients. If YOU do the filing, you are #1 and ONLY client.

With my fiance, we/I am doing all the filing and watching. Before, I only had the lawyer to call and when he couldn't tell me anything I never knew if it was HIM or INS that was the problem (regardless of what he TOLD me). Now, even though its painful to wait, I've got a great crowd of people on VJ who are going through exactly (well nearly) the same thing. That brings a substantial amount of inner peace to know I'm not alone and that there are people I can check things out with. If you think your lawyer will let you connect with his other client's, forget it.

If I had/have a problem, I know that I can get legal help and I know it'll be expensive. But I won't be paying $000's just for paperwork that I can do myself. And he (or she) will have lots more time to spend helping those who really need it. :-D

[Dan J 277]

How long does the K-1 Visa process take from sending in the petition to getting the green card? I was told it could take from 6 to 8 months. If it was to take that long would I be able to go to the USA on a visitors VISA in that period of waiting for my greencard?

Also, I am still unclear about what happens after we are married and that 2 years in the USA thing. It means I have to live in the USA for 2 year after marriage? But I can leave for vacation right?

Your confusing two separate processes. K-1 is the visa that allows you to enter the country, get married and file for Adjustment of Status (AOS). AOS is what will get you a green card once its been processed and approved. But the green card is a conditional one, and you will need to remove the conditions at the end of the two year period.

K-1 takes about 3-4 months on average for the petition to be approved. Maybe another couple weeks or month to reach the embassy or consulate. The wait for an interview varies from a couple weeks to over year in some countries. In Canada, interviews are held in Vancouver or Montreal, depending where you live. Vancouver takes a couple months, but Montreal may take 4-6 months or maybe more.

Assuming you don't get caught in a black hole, which is in this process is called AP or AR, your visa will be approved after the interview. Once you have your visa, you can enter the US.

After you get married you are able to file for AOS. Once approved you will get your green card, however, it can take 2 months to a couple years depending on your situation. But in the mean time, you will be able to apply for an EAD which will allow you to work, and AP, which will allow you to renter the country if you go back home to visit.

[RandyandRina 2]

I was going for a lawyer originally, until I was convinced by a friend that as long as I do not foresee any major problems along the way, then there is no need to hire one. However, if problem arises, then go get yourself a lawyer.

I was quoted for $1000 for a CR1/ IR1 visa though.

Edited September 8, 2007 by RandyandRina

[Zadan 1]

Before I filed for my K1, I asked someone who is an immigration attorney and he told me that the K1 stuff is designed for laymen to be able to do it.

I'd also speculate that having a lawyer sign off as the preparer for all your paperwork might just put your application under more scrutiny than it otherwise would.

It is REALLY easy to look at the example docs on this site, and fill out your name/DOB/parental info, blah blah blah. I wouldn't bother.

Edited September 10, 2007 by Zadan

[westguard 0]

I think we paid about $2,000 for our attorney. We did this because we wanted to make absolutely sure we had the forms correct. One mistake and they'll generate a request for information and you're delayed a while.

That said, there is absolutely no reason why you should use an attorney (other than peace of mind) if you are capable of completing the forms yourself, which aren't all that difficult. There is plenty of information on this website to show you how to do it and plenty of couples willing to help you with their experiencing of answering particular questions.

We have spent so much money of attorneys now it is ridiculous - and we keep using them for peace of mind. So far no hiccups, but we could have done it ourselves too.

Bear this in mind, when applied for AOS, I went to visit the attorney. We paid $2,500 for the priviledge of using them, and found out that they just type your information into computer and it automatically spits out the completed forms. They completed all the work in about 4 hours maximum. I was quite horrified. Then they had the cheek to send me a bill for $5 to cover postage!

I won't be using an attorney going forward, I will just make sure I give myself enough time to complete the forms properly, but when we had a wedding date fixed in stone, we wanted to take every precaution possible.

I also applied for an L1A and submitting about an inch half thick stack of paperwork, again the attorney did very little. They checked it over, slapped a cut and paste cover letter on it and posted it off. Most of it isn't rocket science, it really isn't.

Like others say in this posting, if you haven't got any strange circumstances and you feel confident enough, then why not put that $2,000 in your pocket and do it yourself?

Alternatively, you might be able to pay less if you ask an attorney just to check over it before you send it, rather than compiling it all for you. Just make sure you get all of the latest forms from the USCIS or Visa Journey website, don't rely on forms you find elsewhere on the site.

Edited September 10, 2007 by westguard

[pedsgirl77 0]

Our lawyer fee: $1800. How much help they have been: about $10 worth so far I didn't know about VJ then; or would not have hired one. It has been like pulling teeth to get any information from them or to get simple corrections made. They came highly recommended; and I guess in case of denial we have someone to help us appeal; but for a straightforward case, we could have done it on our own. Hindsight: always 20/20!

[the.ronin 0]

Whoa ... I'm in the wrong line of business.

[Dan J 277]

Whoa ... I'm in the wrong line of business.

Before you think about switching, look at what 3 years of law school might cost you

[khengool 0]

wow wow wow

wait a min, $3000 and $1400 wow what a rubery dude, its too much! what the heck lawer can do? do it by your self,... wow what a good business dude

I am going to be a lawer ..... and charge the hell out of thoes people

unfortunately reza, a lot of people in our culture as well as others seem to think that getting someone to do it for you is the best way to go, because "they know better."

the sad truth is that they often don't, and people like us are willing to pay them to get things done. Being that I'm young and not very rich, i have more time than money, and i'd rather do everything myself than have a lawyer charge me 3000 for filing some papers.

i would rather use the 2000 or 3000 for a plane ticket to mehrabad, but a lot of people, (including some members of my family and my fiance's family) think otherwise.

[desireemawk 0]

If you really want a lawyer I can recomend a good and cheap one for you. His name is Jim Phair. We are using him as our lawyer. He does all the paper work for you. You can also call him anytime about any questions you have. We only paid $500. His number is 360-901-4555

[Scott y Kemerlita 0]

You are right...it isn't difficult. You dont need a lawyer. You must only be organized. Everything you need is here. Try to double check any document before u send them.

Good luck.

[anarcho 0]

Thanks for your help, this website/forum are extremely helpful. The $3000 lawyer is out of the question now, a little angry he even tried to get that much. The more research I do the easier the K-1 process seems. I looked up the instructions that USCIS gives out to complete the K-1 visa and from skimming through it I didn't see any recommendations for legal help. If I do want help it should be easy to find a lawyer or someone to proofread the application to make sure there will no delays. Thanks again for all the comments, it has really helped to see people who have experience with the process and know how things work.