What other expenses are there?!

[Frank O]

Apart from the medical exam what other expenses are there when we go pick up our wives for the interview? I'm assuming a fee for HER visa? Any other fees? Any other "documentation" fees for the USA? What about exit fees from the Ukes?

[AllenB]

... in response to What other expenses are there?!, posted by Frank O on Jul 7, 2004

Hi Frank,

I think the question depends on if you are doing a DCF as apposed to a K3.

By the way, pay no attention to the crimudgeon behind the Dan sign on. Sometimes people are not in a good mood and may make poor decisions.  Myself included.

Good luck.

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: What other expenses are there?!, posted by AllenB on Jul 9, 2004

We are married so that would be a K3 right? What is a DCF? I keep seeing this occasionally pop up. Like I've said my attorney did everything so all I"ve had to do is sign forms & provide whatever papers she asks for. Very easy.

[AllenB]

... in response to Re: Re: What other expenses are there?!, posted by Frank O on Jul 9, 2004

I'm sorry you didn't know about this.  In my opinion the K3 should be done away with and only the DCF should be available in those countries that permit it.

Frank, like most attorney's yours was one of two things, uninformed or dishonest.  They really only come in those two packages for the most part.  She probably never recommended a DCF because she would be out of most of the process and therefore could not charge as much.  The only other explaination was that your wife is from a non-DCF country and therefore you had to go the K3 route.  DCF or K3 is up to the Counselor office in the country which she resides in.

Best of luck to you and your sweetheart.

Allen

[Frank O]

... in response to DCF Filing, posted by AllenB on Jul 10, 2004

Well all I know is spent $1,600 to get the paperwork done. OUCH!!!

[tim360z]

... in response to Re: DCF Filing, posted by Frank O on Jul 10, 2004

Thats a nice chunk for pushing around some papers for a few hours....at a nice hourly rate.  And for not the most effective job for the client.  You.  Does not seem the lawyer worked in your best interest.  Most of the immigration stuff is DIY,  especially if you ask questions on this board.  You will usually get better advice than any $500 per hour lawyer can give you.

I have a couple friends,  nice guys who are lawyers,  but they sure do know how to charge their clients.

Another friend just graduated law school and passed the bar and he told me about one of his final classes.  In this class charging fees etc was the subject.  The gist of the class was,  when in doubt...charge more and always keep the meter running.

Many states have a board of overseers to take action if a lawyer overcharges or fails to work in the clients best interest.  A lawyers ignorance is no excuse.

[Frank O]

... in response to $1600???, posted by tim360z on Jul 11, 2004

I only realized this recently. I feel like I was given the Peter North/Ron Jeremy combo with no vasoline. Not good. Having said that if Diana is here by Sept it will all have been worth it.

[Davej]

... in response to Re: $1600???, posted by Frank O on Jul 13, 2004

I too didn't research enough apparently.  I got some attourneys helping my wife and I out for our K3 Visa process.  They say its going to take ballpark about 5 months until she can come... Isn't there more benefits to K3 visa over DCF though?  I still havn't filed the petition w/ the lawyers, already paid 1000 dollars though.  Is it too late?

[Stevo]

... in response to Re: Re: What other expenses are there?!, posted by Frank O on Jul 9, 2004

At least from Russia.  Two guys I know married in Russia, stuck around for about a 3 to 4 weeks to file the DCF, and came home with their brides (total time was about 30 days or so versus as much as a year for K1 or K3).

I'm surprised you didn't go this route...unless you couldn't be in-country for the requisite amount of time.

[Frank O]

... in response to Usually, a DCF (direct consular filing) ..., posted by Stevo on Jul 9, 2004

I DIDn't but that's not to say I COULDn't. If I had KNOWN I WOULD have gone that route. HOwever I didn't so here I am. My wife should be here within 8 weeks so I can live with that. Things are proceeding smoothly.

[LP]

... in response to Re: Usually, a DCF (direct consular fili..., posted by Frank O on Jul 9, 2004

[This message has been edited by LP]

There are lots of things you could've done and should be doing but don't cuz near as I can tell you did squat for research before you jumped into this. Not too smart. And for a guy who confesses to making peanuts you sure like to piss it away. Btw, a DCF in Ukraine is a different story. Proceeding smoothly? Just wait, watching what comes next is gonna be so good it'll be fattening...

[Dan]

... in response to What other expenses are there?!, posted by Frank O on Jul 7, 2004

Didja ever think about maybe looking at a site that definitively spells it all out for you? Maybe a site like - oh let me think now - oh, maybe the US Embassy in Kyiv's website? You know - that same bureaucratic organization that you've been told where the interview will be held. Do you suppose they might have some information that might prove useful?

Naw - let's not take the time to go there and look for ourselves. We'll just continue to post here and see if someone else will do our legwork for us. Never mind the fact that maybe it is dated information.

Hell, my Ma never raised no fool, now did she.

[jrm]

... in response to Gee, I Don't Know . . ., posted by Dan on Jul 7, 2004

Over the years you have been the most reliable source for information and helped many of us, without an ulterior motive. Sure, there are many lame post's here but it's the nature of the beast.
I hope things are going O.K. at home with you and your new family.

[Frank O]

... in response to Gee, I Don't Know . . ., posted by Dan on Jul 7, 2004

e@+ $H!+ ;-))

[Dan]

... in response to no but she did raise an @$$hole. NT, posted by Frank O on Jul 7, 2004

[This message has been edited by Dan]

Just because you're a lazy horse's a$s doesn't mean you should come here and poke fun at people.