petitioning without a lawyer

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docpogi

Registered Users (C)
Hey guys! Now I'm done with my citizenship.. got it last March 10... its about time now to get into another serious matter.. getting my wife and kid.

I already filed for my wife in April 2005 when I was still a LPR and it has been approved since October 2008. Then last week I filed I-130 for my 6 month old daughter. According to my lawyer, it will take about 6-9 months to get both of them to come here. He also told me that for my wife, it will be much shorter wait because it's already an approved petition.

I don't want the services of my lawyer anymore as he charges me everytime I come to his office. I'm planning to do it on my own.

Now my question is-- what am I going to receive after filing for both of them? Does NVC sends me a copy of the paper works too?

Does anybody here has first hand experience on doing the petitioning on their own? I'm sure not everybody can afford the services of a lawyer especially during these times.
 
docpogi said:
Hey guys! Now I'm done with my citizenship.. got it last March 10... its about time now to get into another serious matter.. getting my wife and kid.

I already filed for my wife in April 2005 when I was still a LPR and it has been approved since October 2008.
-----------------------you should contact USCIS and attach your Copy of your naturalization certificateandcopy of your wife approved petition so that they should send your wife petition to NVC .
Then last week I filed I-130 for my 6 month old daughter. According to my lawyer, it will take about 6-9 months to get both of them to come here. He also told me that for my wife, it will be much shorter wait because it's already an approved petition.

I don't want the services of my lawyer anymore as he charges me everytime I come to his office. I'm planning to do it on my own.

Now my question is-- what am I going to receive after filing for both of them? Does NVC sends me a copy of the paper works too?

Does anybody here has first hand experience on doing the petitioning on their own? I'm sure not everybody can afford the services of a lawyer especially during these times.
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When an applicant's priority date is close to becoming current , NVC will send an Affidavit of Support (I-864 form) processing fee bill to the petitioner and an Agent of Choice and Address (DS-3032) form to the applicant. Once the I-864 processing fee is paid, NVC will send the I-864 forms and instructions to the petitioner. Once NVC receives the form DS-3032 from the applicant, NVC will mail the Immigrant Visa (IV) fee bill to the agent of choice. Once the IV fee bill is paid, NVC will send the Instruction Packet of forms and information to the agent.
*** How much the lawyer was charging for your wife and child petitions??
 
I appreciate your reply ginnu.

*** How much the lawyer was charging for your wife and child petitions??[/QUOTE]

He charged me $750 for just filing my child's I-130. I already paid him $750 way back in 2005 when I filed for my wife.

From what I understand with your reply, NVC will send me and my lawyer a copy each of I-864 form. I will definitely end his services because he is draining my savings.

Another thing I worry about is the change of addresss of my wife back home. Who will I notify? NVC or USCIS? Thanks again.
 
If you want your application to be filed correctly then enlist the support of an immigration lawyer. The lawyer was good enough to bring you to the USA so certainly such a lawyer must be good enough for your wife and child. My advice - don't go cheap. Use the lawyer - this is your wife and child you are talking about.
 
Sizwe said:
If you want your application to be filed correctly then enlist the support of an immigration lawyer. The lawyer was good enough to bring you to the USA so certainly such a lawyer must be good enough for your wife and child. My advice - don't go cheap. Use the lawyer - this is your wife and child you are talking about.
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why spend your hard earned $$ for these simple forms? He may need a lawyer to help himself getting GC through employment or whatever reason but now since he's a USC and petitioning for his immediate relatives and had already file I130 for the wife and daughter. He can just simple notify USCIS to upgrade his case for USC immediate relatives. Look over your I130 receipt and there should be a receipt #. Use that to notify USCIS that you are now a USC and need your petition upgraded.

I130 for USC filing for spouse and children under 21 usually has a wait time of 6 month. Depends on what date you filed your I130, once you notified USCIS to upgrade your petition, you may get an approval in a matter of few days to few weeks.

After your I130 is approved by USCIS, it will then forwarded to NVC for visa processing. NVC will notify you and requesting documents for further processing.

There's a long thread of step by step with deails on this thread:
http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=287605

Read it over and save your hard earned $$$$
 
I'm US citizen, I applied for my wife ( I130) who currently live in Canada.
She use to live in US but she left 4 years ago to Canada. I'm going back and forth between Canada and US.
After 5 months, i received a letter from the local immigration ( NOT NVC) asking me to come with her for interview. They are asking for marriage certificate, passport, children birth certificate....join bank account)
1- Is is this normal process?
2- i mentioned that she lives in Canada how come they want to see her with me?
Any input on this ?
thanks
 
abrama said:
I'm US citizen, I applied for my wife ( I130) who currently live in Canada.
She use to live in US but she left 4 years ago to Canada. I'm going back and forth between Canada and US.
After 5 months, i received a letter from the local immigration ( NOT NVC) asking me to come with her for interview. They are asking for marriage certificate, passport, children birth certificate....join bank account)
1- Is is this normal process?
---------------That is normal. You were supposed to attach the copy of marriage certificate, Copy of children birth certificate (if you listed on I-130), your form G325A with your info and your 1 Photo and other G325A form signed by her and her 1 Photograph.
2- i mentioned that she lives in Canada how come they want to see her with me?
--------------------Did you write her Canada address on form I-131? And her Canada address on her form G325A? If you wrote her Canada address on Form I-131 then it seems to be USCIS mistake and you can write a letter and explain that she is staying in Canada and her address is........
Any input on this ?
thanks
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---------
 
Thanks Ginnu for your reply,
I did all that you mentioned.
May be because while she was in US she applied for asylum which was denied and after 2 and half years, she took a voluntary departure to go to Canada.
I don't know, I'm kind worry.
thanks
 
abrama said:
Thanks Ginnu for your reply,
I did all that you mentioned.
May be because while she was in US she applied for asylum which was denied and after 2 and half years, she took a voluntary departure to go to Canada.
I don't know, I'm kind worry.
thanks
Click to expand...

you need to see a good lawyer and update what lawyer says. I dont know much about asylum cases.
 
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