Thread: Immigration firms - are they worth it?

Hi all

having introduced myself and spent some time reviewing existing threads, I thought I would start a new thread with my first question. Probably first of many!!

There seem to be lots of immigration (or emigration) firms I could use to help me with my move to US. Some are lawyers, some are specialists / consultants, some based here in UK and others in US. They seem to help with applications, forms and procedures, I suppose they should stop you making the mistakes that may stop you getting a visa.

Does anyone have experience of using a firm to help with a move to US? I would be grateful for any advice and recommendations, as they seem expensive, but I am happy to spend the money if they are worth it.



Many thanks for any help


Becky

Hi Becky
Purple may be able to answer your question better than me on America as she moved over there. We moved to Australia and were also torn whether we should use one or not, but at the end of the day we thought it was better going with an agent who knows exactly what they are doing rather than making a simple mistake and being refused.
Personally if I had to do the process again I would still use an agent, yes they were expensive but worth it for peace of mind.
Kate

Hi
Not sure about the US but when migrating to Oz we found the help and advice of our agent invaluable, definately worth the money for us.

Cal x

Thanks Kate and Cal for your prompt responses and I will certainly wait for Purple or any others who can answer about America.

Just out of interest, did you use a firm in UK or one in Australia?

Thanks Becky

Hi
We used a company called Visa Bureau and they were /are based in the UK.

Cal x

Hey Becky,

To be honest, the paperwork you need for a fiancee visa (if it's just you moving, and no kids) is pretty simple and you should be able to do it yourself like most people do. It's just a case of him filing the petition and then you both filling forms in and submitting the information as they ask for it. The specialist immigration services are only able to submit the stuff you'd submit yourself and do not have any fast-track through the system. As long as it's a straightforward fiancee visa, you should be fine doing it on your own and saving the money. If you are't good at filling forms or not confident in doing that then you can give your money to the specialists and let them do it for you.
Personally, I'd do it myself, just double check what you write and look at every box before you submit it back to them. Take copies of everything you submit, and keep them.

Becky,
I have been her for nearly a year now, having entered the USA on a fiancee visa. We could not have got through this without our US Immigration lawyer. I ave foun everything to be a battle, form getting health care insurance, proving where my funds from the UK originated, buying a house. The list is endless. I could not have coped with the Immigration issues on my own.Maybe I am unusual as I am finding life here very hard to adjust to, for lots of reasons but the 2 English girls I have met and made friends with agree.

Originally Posted by Cruella

Becky,
I have been her for nearly a year now, having entered the USA on a fiancee visa. We could not have got through this without our US Immigration lawyer. I ave foun everything to be a battle, form getting health care insurance, proving where my funds from the UK originated, buying a house. The list is endless. I could not have coped with the Immigration issues on my own.Maybe I am unusual as I am finding life here very hard to adjust to, for lots of reasons but the 2 English girls I have met and made friends with agree.

What kind of visa did you come over here on, Cruella?

I came here on a fiancee visa.

Things shouldn't have been that hard for you with immigration then. What caused the problems, and is everything all ok now?