Visa attorneys

[Rota20]

Has anyone utilized the services of a Visa/Immigration attorney?  I have been looking around online on Visa attorneys that deal specifically with the K-1 Visa.  Anyone had much experience with them?  If so, any recommendations?

[shadow]

... in response to Visa attorneys, posted by Rota20 on Apr 23, 2004

I would strongly recommend you do it yourself. In many cases, a visa attorney is going to cause you more problems than you would have just doing it yourself and will be expensive. What's more, 90% of the work still needs to be done by YOU. Most of the work involved is in gathering the required documentation. You must do this, an attorney cannot.

There is only about 45 minutes worth of actual paperwork involved and it is not difficult. There is great info and people to help you for free available online. Ray on this board is very knowledgable, as is Ray Bacon on the Mag-anak board. The Mag-anak forum is a very valuable source for info. I strongly suggest you spend some time there to get the answers you are looking for.

groups.yah**.C**/groups/mag-anak.

Good luck.

Larry.

[Stephen]

... in response to Visa attorneys, posted by Rota20 on Apr 23, 2004

I had absolutely no trouble filing my own documents for my fience visa.  

NOLO PRESS has a book on imigration that has a chapter dedicated to spousal visas.  They go box by box and tell you how to fill it out.  GET THE BOOK.

If you've got just an average situation then don't waste your money on an attorney.

Stephen

PS....don't get me wrong.  I have no objection to folks who waste money on attorneys.  I think it's one of the best ways to waste money.

[Rota20]

... in response to Re: Visa attorneys, posted by Stephen on Apr 23, 2004

Where can I order the book you mentioned?

[HaroldC]

... in response to Re: Re: Visa attorneys, posted by Rota20 on Apr 23, 2004

Nolo Press is great for do-it-yourself law stuff, but I doubt you need the book, either. Just ask Ray for his checklists!

[surfscum]

... in response to Re: Re: Visa attorneys, posted by Rota20 on Apr 23, 2004

http://www.nolo.com/lawstore/products/product.cfm/ObjectID/E0F68B91-2668-463B-8524281B1AB24AB9

[HaroldC]

... in response to Visa attorneys, posted by Rota20 on Apr 23, 2004

At best they will have their secretary fill out a form and mail it for you- sometimes to the wrong place. At worst they will completely screw it up.

Those, especially in the Phils, who say they have special knowledge or connections or can speed things up are complete charlatans. Have you run across Olvis Travel yet? LOL.

An honest attorney would tell you that you don't really need one for a K1. If he tries to scare you, you are being hustled. I'd ask him to describe a case where he had successfully handled a K1 denial.

Unless mine were a VERY unusual circumstance, I would not even consider it because it would take more time and effort to watch the attorney than to do it myself. Even then I would go only on a personal recommendation.

And I would verify everything I was told at this forum.

[Rota20]

... in response to There are lots of horror stories., posted by HaroldC on Apr 23, 2004

I read on the US Embassy in Manila website that the I-129F petition for the K-1 has to be filed in the US.  I'm in the military stationed in Japan and wanted to know if it's possible to file that petition and not be in the US?  It would be a pain to have to go all the way back to the states just to do that.  Thanks for the advice!

[HaroldC]

... in response to Re: There are lots of horror stories., posted by Rota20 on Apr 23, 2004

"NOTE: Active duty U.S. military personnel are considered to be domiciled in the United States while serving overseas."

http://usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwhlove.html