Top Philadelphia, PA K-1 Fiancé Visa Lawyers Near You

Where can I get help with my K-1 Fiancé Visa application?

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to marry a foreign national, a K-1 Fiancé Visa is one method of bringing him or her into the country. Since this is a travel visa, you must marry your foreign fiancé within a limited period of time. Due to the complicated nature of this visa application process, speaking with a K-1 Fiancé Visa lawyer can be very useful in determining whether this is the best option for your situation.

Am I eligible for a K-1 Fiancé Visa?

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen with the exclusive purpose of bringing his or her fiancé into the country for marriage. Both you and your fiancé must be free to marry. This means that both individuals must have had any previous marriages legally dissolved through death, divorce, or annulment. You must marry your fiancé within 90 days of him/her entering the United States.

In general, you and your fiancé must have met in person within the past two years. Some exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you can prove extreme hardship to meet or cultural reasons that prohibit such a meeting.

How can a K-1 Fiancé Visa lawyer help me?

The application process can be complex and frustrating. There are numerous required forms, supporting documents, and medical exams required. A K-1 Fiancé Visa lawyer can help ensure a complete application and address potential legal pitfalls. Below are a few questions this type of lawyer can answer:

• What is the application and visa approval process?
• Should I apply in the U.S. or through my fiancé’s local U.S. embassy/consulate?
• What is the cost of a K-1 Fiancé Visa?
• How long does it take to get approved?

When to Hire a Lawyer

It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

• Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
• Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
• Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
• Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

Tips on Hiring an Experienced Lawyer with K-1 Fiancé Visa Cases

The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.