When you send out the initial packet for k1 visa ,and if you are refused ,do you get your 455$ back?

bradenmiami says on Sep 27, 2007, 11:46:

That money is paid for them to review it.... If you make mistakes, and it gets refused, you just spent that money. I have seen and heard of this happening at various levels of the prcess from the initial application to as late as work permits once a visa has been received!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 27, 2007, 12:09:

Was it declined after requests for additional information/missing documents and compliance with those requests?

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lpdiver says on Sep 27, 2007, 13:48:

The fees are for processing the forms. If you get a no the form was processed...So no you don't get your money back.

t

"cook some rice!"

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 27, 2007, 14:19:

Go to VisaJourney.com and read the visa guides. They spell out exactly how to complete and submit your petition. If you have questions, they have a useful forum.

If you are meticulous and careful, there is no reason why you would make mistakes. If you really feel like you can't do it, hire an attorney. But that is no guarantee as many attorneys make dumb mistakes on petitions.

Good luck,
CG

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calipro says on Sep 27, 2007, 15:51:

My advice is if $455 seems like a lot of money don't fill out the packet.

By the time your financee gets here you will have spent a min. of 20 grand.

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 27, 2007, 17:03:

$20,000 .... I don't think so.

Anyway, to answer the OP's original question - No, you don't get the money back. BUT, a person is rarely actually denied. What I think you are asking about is if there are RFEs. Requests for additional evidence. Many people inaccurately call these "denials", which they are not. I know of people who have had repeated RFEs, and as long as they complied with the requests by attempting to provide the additional evidence, there is no need to, or rule that says, you have to pay again. The one time fee is all you will pay until the K1 package makes it's way from the original processing center to the embassy. So don't worry about that. As long as you qualify with the basic, fundamental requirements (financial, that you are legally able to marry, that you are a citizen, etc), you will not be denied and will not forfeit that application fee, barring not complying with an RFE.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 27, 2007, 17:06:

And Rubito is correct. The adjustment of status once your beloved is in the US, will now cost $1100. As far as losing that money, see my post above.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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john_stark says on Sep 27, 2007, 21:35:

I bet the real doll is starting to look pretty good?

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goin_south says on Sep 27, 2007, 23:36:

""By the time your financee gets here you will have spent a min. of 20 grand.""

Que mas barrato!
As compared to supporting some gringas who are only 'eating your ass', figuratively speaking ;)

Where do we go from here?

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Robert697 says on Sep 28, 2007, 10:40:

It's best to get an attourney. They are often readily available from some internet-mail-a-bride websites. The one reference I got was from CaliBrides. On top of the normal costs of doing business with the government, they charge $1000 for their assistance. According to the e-mail I got from them, they guarantee their work, they provide all the necessary and latest documentation, they've never had an application rejected, and they even assist the person in Colombia to properly fill out the documentation, and prep for the interview. Bottom line is, things always go smoother with a knowledgable attourney. A fee of $1000 in exchange for tranquility is worth it.

I am not happy because I am rich. I am rich because I am happy.

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 28, 2007, 10:57:

"It's best to get an attourney. They are often readily available from some internet-mail-a-bride websites"

I hardly think that a referral from an "internet-mail-a-bride website" should be considered a good thing.

I have heard countless horror stories about visa attorneys, so if you decide to get one, make sure to get a good one. Sadly, there are many bad lawyers that charge you $1,000 - $2,000 to fill out a bunch of forms that anyone with some sense can easily fill out.

Many are often not up to date on the latest rules. They often make mistakes and cause unnecessary delays for their clients. The only thing that most of them guarantee is that your petition will be approved. This does not mean that the visa application is approved. They are two separate although related things.

I considered going with an attorney for a K-3, but decided against it after speaking with several of them. I also spoke with many people who had gone through the process. I found no difference in success rates or processing times between those who did their own petitions and those that went with lawyers.

You might ask around on the VisaJourney forums for some personal experiences with lawyers. You may be able to get some good recommendations. Better yet, read the visa guides so you can see just how easy the petitions are. They give you step by step instructions for the whole process.

Good luck,

CG

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Lucho562 says on Sep 28, 2007, 12:04:

A lawyer is not needed for this process, unless both are divorced, 'x' number of kids, etc. If there are no known complications you do not need a lawyer. Heck, give me $500 and i'll help you out...j/k

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 28, 2007, 22:48:

I ditto 100% of what Lucho562 and Colombianogringo typed.

I am one of the people who got their paperwork messed up BECAUSE of an attorney. I fortunately didn't pay a lot for the "service." Like said above, unless you have an extreme case, do yourself a favor and do it on your own. Otherwise, you are paying thousands of dollars for an attorney's assistant - (the actual lawyer doesn't do it) - to file your paperwork, keep you updated, and make you feel good. The absolute most these lawyers will do is sign 3 or 4 different forms as your "representative" - at the direction of their secretaries. And that is the honest truth from somebody who has been there and done that.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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boston05 says on Sep 29, 2007, 05:48:

An attorney is not needed ,unless you have some legal issues. You can do what an attorney will do faster and cheaper . I received all my info from visa journey and downloaded all the forms there also. Save the money from the attorney , youll need it for all the other costs , embassy interview,medical etc.

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boston05 says on Sep 29, 2007, 05:48:

An attorney is not needed ,unless you have some legal issues. You can do what an attorney will do faster and cheaper . I received all my info from visa journey and downloaded all the forms there also. Save the money from the attorney , youll need it for all the other costs , embassy interview,medical etc.

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lpdiver says on Oct 1, 2007, 22:06:

An attorney can only do as well as the documentation that YOU are going to provide anyway. They often make mistakes and get RFE'd as well and just blame it on USCIS. As other posters have stated unless you situation is complicated you can do this.

Just break it down and take it one step at a time. Visa Journey and British Expats have all the information that you need and plenty of people that can offer good advice for your questions.

t

"cook some rice!"

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chester says on Oct 15, 2007, 11:19:

$1010 is the fee, not $1100 for AOS, though they throw in the EAD and AP if you apply for them at the same time.

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goin_south says on Oct 15, 2007, 12:43:

Barrett,.... do you get your $100 back, if you lay it on black on the roulette will, and the ball lands in the red???

Where do we go from here?

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