K-1 Service reccomendations

[tenebre]

Does anyone have good recommendations for K-1 attorneys? I am looking for one who will at least pretend like they care and do their job well.

[ScottinCrimea]

Does anyone have good recommendations for K-1 attorneys? I am looking for one who will at least pretend like they care and do their job well.

Then just do it yourself.

[dispozo]

Does anyone have good recommendations for K-1 attorneys? I am looking for one who will at least pretend like they care and do their job well.

Then just do it yourself.

I agree!!!

I am did mine myself....... So far so good.

Check out visajourney.com, there is a lot of great information and most people did it themselves. When I first read about the K-1, I was lost. But I read and read and read and after awhile it all made sense to me.

Good luck

[johnichka]

Tenebre,
You don't need an attorney unless you have some sort of special circumstance.  The process of putting together the petition and filing is very straight forward.  I completed my own last October.  Filed on the 19th in California.

It took a long time for USCIS to approve the petition as they are backed up.  We received our approval of the petition on June 2nd.  No problems at all.

My Ulyana had her interview in Kiev on August 19 - not a single question from the officer at the embassy - Visa approved.  She and her daughter arrived here in Chicago on September 6th.  Not one problem.  So, my counsel to you would be to complete the petition yourself and as someone else mentioned, use the Visa Journey web site as a guide.
Good Luck.
John

[Faux Pas]

Tenebre,
You don't need an attorney unless you have some sort of special circumstance.  The process of putting together the petition and filing is very straight forward.  I completed my own last October.  Filed on the 19th in California.

It took a long time for USCIS to approve the petition as they are backed up.  We received our approval of the petition on June 2nd.  No problems at all.

My Ulyana had her interview in Kiev on August 19 - not a single question from the officer at the embassy - Visa approved.  She and her daughter arrived here in Chicago on September 6th.  Not one problem.  So, my counsel to you would be to complete the petition yourself and as someone else mentioned, use the Visa Journey web site as a guide.
Good Luck.
John

WOW! Eight months to approve the petition?

[Chicagoguy]

What about an attorney after they arrive ?   This paperwork seems more difficult to me and if you miss a date or have a delay what happens ?

I did my own on K-1 and sent it in and received a receipt in July. Jeez, I hope it isn't 8 months. Chicago and California, the same as johnichka.

[groovlstk]

Actually, one of the hidden advantages of filing your own K1 is that subsequently adjusting status is a breeze. You're familiar with the filing process and acronyms, not afraid to d/l forms and ask questions on Visajourney, etc. Everything gets easier because you have a better overview.

[ScottinCrimea]

I agree, once you do the initial research to submit your own k-1 the rest is a piece of cake because you understand the process and don't worry so much about it.  For example, I spent a lot of time preparing the petition for my wife, but when it came time to do the same for our daughter, the initial paperwork only took me a couple of hours and the affidavit of support took maybe an hour more.  The petition was approved at the CSC in 41 days and my Affidavit was accepted with no additional requests, so apparently I did it right. I think a person's initial fear is that if they don't do something exactly right the petition will be denied or significantly delayed.  Actually there is a fair amount of latitude in the process and most mistakes only lead to a request for additional information.

I think it's much easier to do than your taxes, and would you consider paying someone a couple grand to do that for you?

[Gtex]

They are right, you can do it yourself.  If you want someone to do it for you...
John Roth is the senior immigration specialist in Eastern European (read that: FSU)
countries.   I used him, I recommend him.  There are things he brings to the table of value.  Namely support staff on the ground where she is and vig with the embassy.

[tfcrew]

WOW! Eight months to approve the petition?

Yes...Why pay an attorney to do what you have to do anyway...provide info?
Eight months-
That is just about the average.
This gives time to prepare everything.
Is there not a link on this board for K-1 visa application?

[dispozo]

Is there not a link on this board for K-1 visa application?

I think you can find some links in some treads.

http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k1guide

[Vaughn]

I agree with Chicagoguy that subsequent filings are more difficult than K-1,
yet we got through AOS and Removal of Conditions without an attorney. It
took some effort to get through the instructions, which at times are vague
and even contradictory. There is a wealth of experience here and on other
sites from which the befuddled can draw.

This of course assumes that both sponsor and beneficiary will both be 100%
honest on their respective applications, with no skeletons to hide.....

Otherwise an attorney (or forgetting the idea altogether) might be in order.

[tenebre]

ok , I will go it myself.

So Missouri now files in California? What happened to the Nebraska Service center?

[Vaughn]

I have no idea. We live in North Carolina and haven't
even visited an DHS or BCIS site in quite a while.

I DID have a buddy who considered renting a studio
apartment just north of here over the Virginia line
so he could file in Vermont, which at that time, had
a 30-day approval reputation...

Vaughn

[Faux Pas]

Yes...Why pay an attorney to do what you have to do anyway...provide info?
Eight months-
That is just about the average.
This gives time to prepare everything.
Is there not a link on this board for K-1 visa application?

I agree as I did my own as well. I just sent it in on Monday. I didn't start on it until I returned from my last trip about six weeks ago and with zero information or idea how to do it or even get started. Quite honestly, I wouldn't have done it myself until I found visajourney. It was quite easy I thought but, I was very meticulous with detail and presentation (even a bit anal). I had to send mine to Vermont. Completing it wasn't difficult at all but I had to get my lady's information which was some delay.

For some reason I thought the long delay was the interview. Don't know exactly why I thought that. It appears I need more information.

[Mishenka]

Just remember California is processing 2.2 million petitions per year out of this location, so it will take some time. Be patient.
here are some other useful links.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/i129f-tracker/

This is a I-129F tracker so you can view your progress on line. Read about other's as an example on line. THis shows elapsed processing time since date filed. 

http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/i129f-graph/   This graph  is  a real time approval trend by month, and numbers of applications.  Remember this data is coming from users of Trackit.com and not fom USCIS.


You can also pay $1000  extra with your petition to " fast track it" but, there is no absolute guarantee you will get priority over someone else.  I have heard stories from people saying it cut their time in half of what they were told.  Anyone else heard of anyone doing the fast track?  is it even possible with I -129 F,  or  is it only for work visa's ?  H-1 etc

[tfcrew]

I looked over that Trackit site..
Not very many at the Texas office.
 
The petition fees have skyrocketed since I checked last!
I searched around and found nothing about 'fast tracking' visas.
Here's a lawyer site [though] that states they will get us some  Cubans in a hurry

http://www.flalaw.us/visa_fast_track_for_cubans.htm

[tenebre]

the premium service is for I-129 only not I-129F ..

and it looks like only Calfironia and Vermont service centers are active now. Texas ans nebraska are handling left overs from last year

[ScottinCrimea]

Now everything must be sent to Chicago and they forward it to either California or Vermont.

[tfcrew]

the premium service is for I-129 only not I-129F ..

Found page on that...

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=79ef78264614d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
 
 

[Mishenka]

Thanks for the link,  tfcrew, 
I had a feeling that fast track was only for employers to use.  To bad they cant offer this for 129F.  I probably wouldn't spend $1000 extra to save a few months. Time goes by quick enough.

M

[tenebre]

Now everything must be sent to Chicago and they forward it to either California or Vermont.

Where did you read that?  I can find only the Cali or Vermont addresses directly. The I-129F form states to mail to California even. I dont see a chicago address anywhere.

[ScottinCrimea]

Where did you read that?  I can find only the Cali or Vermont addresses directly. The I-129F form states to mail to California even. I dont see a chicago address anywhere.

I apologize for the misinformation.  Apparently the Chicago address is for stand alone I-130's, not the I-129.  Here's the quote from the USCIS website:

Where to File :
All petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130 must submit their petitions to the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. Form I-130 petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center.  This routing will be based on the petitioner’s place of residence in the United States.
Important: Any Form I-130 filed at an incorrect location will be rejected.