I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
May 2nd 2006, 9:45 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,717
I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
I paid almost $3.5k in attonrney fee's to get my H1B VISA. I met and married my wife over here and fear having to go through the USCIS paperwork again. What is the opinion on filling in the forms myself? I emailed a few attorneys and they quote from $2.5k to $3.5k to have the forms prepared on my behalf. Seems a lot of money, is it necessary. I dont know the law, and dont know exactly what I am required to do, so any links to a good resource explaining what is required would be helpful.
I'm here on a H1B. My wife is a US citizen by birth. I dont plan to fly back to the UK any time soon so a I-131 not needed. My H1B expires in October 2008 so not in a rush to get anything done within a time constraint, I just want to do it right. I didn't figure I would end up staying here, but love changed everything.
I'm here on a H1B. My wife is a US citizen by birth. I dont plan to fly back to the UK any time soon so a I-131 not needed. My H1B expires in October 2008 so not in a rush to get anything done within a time constraint, I just want to do it right. I didn't figure I would end up staying here, but love changed everything.
May 2nd 2006, 11:31 pm
#2
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Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Originally Posted by Texas_Dave
I paid almost $3.5k in attonrney fee's to get my H1B VISA. I met and married my wife over here and fear having to go through the USCIS paperwork again. What is the opinion on filling in the forms myself? I emailed a few attorneys and they quote from $2.5k to $3.5k to have the forms prepared on my behalf. Seems a lot of money, is it necessary. I dont know the law, and dont know exactly what I am required to do, so any links to a good resource explaining what is required would be helpful.
I'm here on a H1B. My wife is a US citizen by birth. I dont plan to fly back to the UK any time soon so a I-131 not needed. My H1B expires in October 2008 so not in a rush to get anything done within a time constraint, I just want to do it right. I didn't figure I would end up staying here, but love changed everything.
I'm here on a H1B. My wife is a US citizen by birth. I dont plan to fly back to the UK any time soon so a I-131 not needed. My H1B expires in October 2008 so not in a rush to get anything done within a time constraint, I just want to do it right. I didn't figure I would end up staying here, but love changed everything.
Better look in the marriage based forum - lots of information there.
I'm would expect that if you're bright enough to qulaify for an H1b you'll be able to handle the paperwork without an attorney...
May 2nd 2006, 11:36 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Hi Texas Dave,
I was on H-1B and I have done the paper work on AOS (marriage-based)
myself. For your case, if you do not plan to change job, keeping on
the H-1B status, you only need to apply for I-485 and I-130, G325A,
I-864 and the medical. It still takes time to fill out the form as long
as you answer everything truthfully you will be fine.
I was on H-1B and I have done the paper work on AOS (marriage-based)
myself. For your case, if you do not plan to change job, keeping on
the H-1B status, you only need to apply for I-485 and I-130, G325A,
I-864 and the medical. It still takes time to fill out the form as long
as you answer everything truthfully you will be fine.
May 3rd 2006, 12:15 am
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,266
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Originally Posted by Texas_Dave
I paid almost $3.5k in attonrney fee's to get my H1B VISA. I met and married my wife over here and fear having to go through the USCIS paperwork again. What is the opinion on filling in the forms myself? I emailed a few attorneys and they quote from $2.5k to $3.5k to have the forms prepared on my behalf. Seems a lot of money, is it necessary. I dont know the law, and dont know exactly what I am required to do, so any links to a good resource explaining what is required would be helpful.
I'm here on a H1B. My wife is a US citizen by birth. I dont plan to fly back to the UK any time soon so a I-131 not needed. My H1B expires in October 2008 so not in a rush to get anything done within a time constraint, I just want to do it right. I didn't figure I would end up staying here, but love changed everything.
I'm here on a H1B. My wife is a US citizen by birth. I dont plan to fly back to the UK any time soon so a I-131 not needed. My H1B expires in October 2008 so not in a rush to get anything done within a time constraint, I just want to do it right. I didn't figure I would end up staying here, but love changed everything.
The decision is up to you. A lot of people DIY and are just fine. Some people want the comfort factor.
May 3rd 2006, 1:40 am
#5
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,717
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Thanks for the info. Having an idea which forms I need to complete will certainly help. I've downloaded the forms you quoted and can at least make a start.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Originally Posted by Yy
Hi Texas Dave,
I was on H-1B and I have done the paper work on AOS (marriage-based)
myself. For your case, if you do not plan to change job, keeping on
the H-1B status, you only need to apply for I-485 and I-130, G325A,
I-864 and the medical. It still takes time to fill out the form as long
as you answer everything truthfully you will be fine.
I was on H-1B and I have done the paper work on AOS (marriage-based)
myself. For your case, if you do not plan to change job, keeping on
the H-1B status, you only need to apply for I-485 and I-130, G325A,
I-864 and the medical. It still takes time to fill out the form as long
as you answer everything truthfully you will be fine.
May 3rd 2006, 3:42 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: SFO
Posts: 871
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
It's certainly possible to do it yourself and many people do so successfully every year.
My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to do the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse, could afford the legal fees, and didn't have time to do the research ourselves. BTW we paid $2.5k and that was 4 years ago.
Think honestly about how stressed you would be if you did it yourself, how much time you can devote to it, and whether you would miss the money more or the lack of free time more. Also think about how well you follow directions, how detail-oriented you are, are you OK reading pages and pages of instructions or do your eyes glaze over by page 2. Do you file your own taxes? IMHO the immigration paperwork is a bit more complicated than filing taxes (with itemized deductions) without the benefit of TurboTax software.
Take a look at the forms and instructions and think about the questions above. It's a very individual choice and there is no wrong answer. Both ways are reasonable.
Here is a link to the USCIS webpage on AOS to get you started:
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/LPRApplication.htm
Note: the page doesn't mention the I-130 or the biometrics fee, but you do have to include both
My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to do the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse, could afford the legal fees, and didn't have time to do the research ourselves. BTW we paid $2.5k and that was 4 years ago.
Think honestly about how stressed you would be if you did it yourself, how much time you can devote to it, and whether you would miss the money more or the lack of free time more. Also think about how well you follow directions, how detail-oriented you are, are you OK reading pages and pages of instructions or do your eyes glaze over by page 2. Do you file your own taxes? IMHO the immigration paperwork is a bit more complicated than filing taxes (with itemized deductions) without the benefit of TurboTax software.
Take a look at the forms and instructions and think about the questions above. It's a very individual choice and there is no wrong answer. Both ways are reasonable.
Here is a link to the USCIS webpage on AOS to get you started:
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/LPRApplication.htm
Note: the page doesn't mention the I-130 or the biometrics fee, but you do have to include both
May 3rd 2006, 6:17 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Texas_Dave wrote:
> > Hi Texas Dave,
> >
> > I was on H-1B and I have done the paper work on AOS (marriage-based)
> > myself. For your case, if you do not plan to change job, keeping on
> > the H-1B status, you only need to apply for I-485 and I-130, G325A,
> > I-864 and the medical. It still takes time to fill out the form as
> > long
> > as you answer everything truthfully you will be fine.
> Thanks for the info. Having an idea which forms I need to complete will
> certainly help. I've downloaded the forms you quoted and can at least
> make a start.
> Thanks again.
Google and you will get plenty of info.
>
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
> > Hi Texas Dave,
> >
> > I was on H-1B and I have done the paper work on AOS (marriage-based)
> > myself. For your case, if you do not plan to change job, keeping on
> > the H-1B status, you only need to apply for I-485 and I-130, G325A,
> > I-864 and the medical. It still takes time to fill out the form as
> > long
> > as you answer everything truthfully you will be fine.
> Thanks for the info. Having an idea which forms I need to complete will
> certainly help. I've downloaded the forms you quoted and can at least
> make a start.
> Thanks again.
Google and you will get plenty of info.
>
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
May 3rd 2006, 3:35 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
> My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to do
> the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
^^^^^^^^^^^
Translation: We made this choice because I and my husband are waaaay too
stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple forms.
> the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
^^^^^^^^^^^
Translation: We made this choice because I and my husband are waaaay too
stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple forms.
May 3rd 2006, 4:09 pm
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,266
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Originally Posted by L Davies
> My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to do
> the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
^^^^^^^^^^^
Translation: We made this choice because I and my husband are waaaay too
stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple forms.
> the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
^^^^^^^^^^^
Translation: We made this choice because I and my husband are waaaay too
stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple forms.
Be nice.
Quite often income tax forms are pretty simple and can be easily filled out without any advise -- and H&R Block does a land office business.
The poster gave legitimate reasons.
May 3rd 2006, 4:11 pm
#10
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Originally Posted by Folinskyinla
Hi:
Be nice.
Quite often income tax forms are pretty simple and can be easily filled out without any advise -- and H&R Block does a land office business.
The poster gave legitimate reasons.
Be nice.
Quite often income tax forms are pretty simple and can be easily filled out without any advise -- and H&R Block does a land office business.
The poster gave legitimate reasons.
(sigh)
I don't Mr Davis knows the meaning of 'nice'. Not when it comes to *immigrants*, anyway...
May 3rd 2006, 6:48 pm
#11
Banned
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco,USA.
Posts: 380
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Originally Posted by L Davies
> My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to do
> the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
^^^^^^^^^^^
Translation: We made this choice because I and my husband are waaaay too
stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple forms.
> the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
^^^^^^^^^^^
Translation: We made this choice because I and my husband are waaaay too
stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple forms.
May 3rd 2006, 6:58 pm
#12
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Originally Posted by JulianB
My husband and I, you ignorant tit.
Be aware that you are responding to a notorious anti-immigrant spammer - best ignore...
May 3rd 2006, 9:06 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
Doesn't change anything. Both of you are hopeless dumbasses.
"JulianB" <member10859@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
>> > My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to
>> > do
>> > the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^
>> Translation: We made this choice because I and my
>> husband are waaaay too
>> stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple
>> forms.
> My husband and I, you ignorant tit.
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
"JulianB" <member10859@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
>> > My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer to
>> > do
>> > the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-averse,
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^
>> Translation: We made this choice because I and my
>> husband are waaaay too
>> stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the simple
>> forms.
> My husband and I, you ignorant tit.
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
May 4th 2006, 3:30 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
> Doesn't change anything. Both of you are hopeless dumbasses.
> "JulianB" <member10859@british_expats.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected] m...
> >> > My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer
> >> > to
> >> > do
> >> > the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-
> >> > averse,
> >> ^^^^^^^^^^^
> >> Translation: We made this choice because I and my
> >> husband are waaaay too
> >> stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the
> >> simple
> >> forms.
> > My husband and I, you ignorant tit.
> > --
> >
IMHO, if you can understand english well, you should do it yourself. My
lawyer messed up twice, and I'm considering sueing this man. My lawyer
knows less than me about immigration law. and make sure if you're going
to go to the interview without an immigration lawyer, you know what is
going on. and expect what kind of questions. READ ALL THE DOCUMENTS
THAT YOU HAVE SUBMITTED CAREFULLY. KNOW THEM LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND
BECAUSE IF YOU READ THIS U WILL KNOW WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT.
DON'T MESS UP LIKE I DID.
If you don't understand english well, I've heard that there are many
churches and public services that are willing to help for free.
--
Posted via http://expatforums.com
> "JulianB" <member10859@british_expats.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected] m...
> >> > My husband AOS'd from an L-1B visa and we chose to hire a lawyer
> >> > to
> >> > do
> >> > the filing. We made that choice because we are highly risk-
> >> > averse,
> >> ^^^^^^^^^^^
> >> Translation: We made this choice because I and my
> >> husband are waaaay too
> >> stupid and illiterate to read and fill out the
> >> simple
> >> forms.
> > My husband and I, you ignorant tit.
> > --
> >
IMHO, if you can understand english well, you should do it yourself. My
lawyer messed up twice, and I'm considering sueing this man. My lawyer
knows less than me about immigration law. and make sure if you're going
to go to the interview without an immigration lawyer, you know what is
going on. and expect what kind of questions. READ ALL THE DOCUMENTS
THAT YOU HAVE SUBMITTED CAREFULLY. KNOW THEM LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND
BECAUSE IF YOU READ THIS U WILL KNOW WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT.
DON'T MESS UP LIKE I DID.
If you don't understand english well, I've heard that there are many
churches and public services that are willing to help for free.
--
Posted via http://expatforums.com
May 4th 2006, 7:00 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I-130 and I-485 - self prepare or professional help?
L Davies wrote:
> Doesn't change anything. Both of you are hopeless dumbasses.
What is your definition of "dumbness"? "Not agreeing with L Davies"?
> Doesn't change anything. Both of you are hopeless dumbasses.
What is your definition of "dumbness"? "Not agreeing with L Davies"?
