Immigration Lawyers Know the Law
U.S. immigration law is complicated, even for some lawyers. Also, the rules are constantly changing, and it helps to have someone who is up to date.
They Can Represent You
Only a licensed attorney can represent you before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (where the fiance visa petition is filed), the National Visa Center (where the name checks are conducted) or at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (where your fiance will be interviewed and the K-1 visa will be issued).
They Get Things Done Faster
If you choose to prepare your own fiance visa petition, you will quickly realize there are a number of forms required. You may have to stop frequently to do more research. An experience immigration lawyer will prepare your fiance visa petition quickly and correctly.
They Can Prevent Costly Mistakes
There are mutiple rules regarding your fiancee's ability to travel to the United States during the fiance visa process. For example, if your fiance is issued a K-1 visa, they must use it to enter the U.S. and not any other visa and you must marry within 90 days. Mistakes in this regard can result in you having to start the fiance visa process all over again (including paying the fees) or your fiance being unable to remain in the U.S.
They Can Prevent Lengthy Delays
Out of all the reasons for hiring an immigration lawyer, this is the most compelling for many engaged couples. Every year, approximately 40 to 60% of all fiancee visa petitions filed are not approved. If the SCIS finds some technical mistake or omission in the paperwork you submit to them, they will send you a form letter (also known as a Request for Evidence or RFE) telling you what you did wrong. This form will often be sent several months after you originally filed your petition. Often, when you submit the required correction, they will again wait several months and again return the forms to you with another cover-sheet informing you of a second technical error or omission. Even writing N/A in a box can result in an RFE. Each RFE will add about six more months to the process.
