Marie & Dan

And the suggestion about CSC and VSC sharing their task is just more realistic than adding (so maybe hiring) more workers for all filers. At least it would be more fair and equal. Sory but I think it needs to. Id understand if we would have said " We want VSC faster than CSC" but we don't that, we want equality, there is nothing bad in that.It's frustrating and we can't help to feel that way.

http://signon.org/sign/help-keep-legal-immigrants.fb21?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=5401554
We got 95 signatures we need 100! (But do you think 100 is enough to be heard ? I was wondering)
PS: I didnt create that petition, just want people to sign it

Actually, I have to disagree with your attitude. Why should petitions at CSC be approved in 47 days and petions at VSC must wait 5,6,7 months?

Hi everybody,
I got the noa1 on april 12th, and my fiancé called USCIS 3 weeks or 1 month ago, they told us we
should expect the noa2 on ....september 10th.
But remember that california was very late and now, all of a sudden in july, their service center approved petitions of february, march, april and began may. Maybe Vermont will aslo wake up soon, let's hope!

Hi everybody,
I got the noa1 on april 12th, and my fiancé called USCIS 3 weeks or 1 month ago, they told us we
should expect the noa2 on ....september 10th.
But remember that california was very late and now, all of a sudden in july, their service center approved petitions of february, march, april and began may. Maybe Vermont will aslo wake up soon, let's hope!

I don't understand how an attorney can "slow things down". We hired one, and so far- we are extremely happy with him. It takes about 5 minutes to send an email to him with everything he requires. He then prints everything up and mails it- the very next day. For original copies, I overnight a package to him so that he can receive it the next day. I don't really see how that slows anything down.
Our attorney is quick to answer our emails and calls, and has provided us with MUCH information and guidance. I couldn't find one place here in Montreal that would translate my birth certificate to English in a timely manner, and he did it in a few days. So he actually SAVED me time.
Although I think that VJ can provide just as much information and guidance, I feel reassured knowing that if i have a question, I can speak to a professional who does this as his job. I feel bad for anyone who has had a bad experience with a lawyer- but there are ways to see their rating and standings to see if they are reliable or not- a little research can save you from hiring someone who is not qualified.
Also, keep in mind that although the procedure can be fairly simple- it is time consuming to put together the package. And as my fiance and I both work extremely long days, it was just simpler to open our emails, print out the requested forms, sign them and scan them back to him.
Although there is a chance that he may make a mistake because he is human, it is far less likely that he would make one because he's done this hundreds of times compared to us only having done this one time.

I had a lawyer and I am very happy I had them. Everything went smoothly with no problems.

I see no problem in using a visa service if it gives the couple peace of mind. But the visa services really use scare tactics to try and make people believe it's too hard, too risky, for them to do it on their own. I wouldn't say the process was easy, my fiancé and I even had some difficult things to deal with. She had lived in both Thailand and Kuwait in addition to being from the Philippines, so that was the source of some stress trying to figure out how to deal with that (particularly the Police Reports). I did talk to two lawyers. One of them basically said for the money she would guide my fiancé through the interview process. That proved very unnecessary. If you and your fiancé really know each other, don't fear the interview at all! They're going to ask very basic questions, and if you are truly in a relationship, you would have no problem with them. There are also plenty of examples here of the kinds of questions they ask.
The second lawyer, who I liked a lot, said 'Don't Hire Me'. He spent about 30 minutes on the phone with me for free, answering my question about Police Reports, but said that even if I hired him, I was going to have to do all the hard work, and gathering of all the information. At best he could look over the forms and check over the package. But even in his mind, an organized person should be able to handle all of this easily.
So I would say again, be careful of the visa agencies that try to pressure you into 'needing' their help. You don't need it. I was scared, and almost used them at first too, especially when you go to their website and read "90% of all applications are denied, you must use us, 100% guarantee or your money back!"
Hogwash.
If anything, I would say find a decent lawyer, and pay them for one hour of their time to look over your application when you're done with it, if you're really scared.

I hired an attorney to handle our VISA procedures as I a was afraid I would miss something. I have been very pleased with him so far. It actually isn't a that hard a process but there is a lot involved. Missing one thing could delay you by weeks if not months. I didn't want to take that chance. After I got all the information he requested, he sent it ALL within a couple of days. It costs a little more, but the peace of mind was worth it for us.
I will tell the reason I chose him over other attorneys. First, I am in Afghanistan right now working with the military. My attorney allows me and/or my fiancee (who is in Macedonia) to Skype with him for any meetings or questions that may come up. That is SO convenient for all of us. Second, and most importantly, he did not make me pay the entire fee up front. He allows me to pay by the month. He said "I feel it is less stress on my clients financially. Not to mention that if you stop paying, I stop working. And if I stop working...YOU stop paying. It is only fair".
I hired him right away!