Newbie Q About Visa Fees

[MeAndWipawee]

Hello everyone. First post.

I am looking into the K-1 visa, but find many different fees online.

Most are joint attorney-visa fees and are around 700 dollars or more.

I also see that its 165.00 USD to file the application.

Is this the price if you do-it-yourself?

Is doing it yourself recommended? or do the majority on this site use attorneys and visa services??? Very curious.

Also, how much is the AOS fee after marriage?

I will be posting some more questions later, but I would rather search for as much info as I can first before bothering you guys with the same old questions... and I am sorry if this is one of them. Just seems that the fees differ greatly.

And are really &*$#%ing expensive.

Thanks everyone.

-Dean

[Johnny Dee Rock]

A K-1 visa is easy enough to do you yourself. The difficulty comes in when you are in the States and your girl is in Thailand. I have never seen a Thai girl with the patience or ability to complete the biographical data on her own.

[lopburi3]

If you can do your own tax form it should not be a problem doing it yourself. Just read instructions for each item asked. Even if spouse is not with you the information can be entered by you and have her sign and write Thai spelling of name where required.

But don't take our word. Download the documents and give it a try - nothing spent but some time until you file them.

If you use someone the same information will still have to be provided as if you do it yourself.

[MeAndWipawee]

Thank you both for your replies!

[daveh]

Here are the forms and fees.

Immigration Forms and Fees

Yes, the i-129f fee is $165, but that's just the beginning. You will have to pay other fees as well, the visa application fee 4,000 baht, plus a medical check which varies around 2,000 baht. Once she gets to the states, then you have to pay even more. There's $175 for work authorization (I-765), plus $315 for adjustment of status (I-485), plus a $70 fee for "biometrics" required for both work authorization and adjustement of status, but you only pay one fee. Then a couple of years after she gets her conditional residence, you have to file to remove those conidtions (I-751) and that costs $200. That adds up to.... ~ $1075. If you were to pay a lawyer, you'd probably have to pay one for each step along the way. And yes, you can do all of this yourself, it is fairly straight forward, if not tedious.

[chivasgeo]

Hello everyone. First post.

I am looking into the K-1 visa, but find many different fees online.

Most are joint attorney-visa fees and are around 700 dollars or more.

I also see that its 165.00 USD to file the application.

Is this the price if you do-it-yourself?

Is doing it yourself recommended? or do the majority on this site use attorneys and visa services??? Very curious.

Also, how much is the AOS fee after marriage?

I will be posting some more questions later, but I would rather search for as much info as I can first before bothering you guys with the same old questions... and I am sorry if this is one of them. Just seems that the fees differ greatly.

And are really &*$#%ing expensive.

Thanks everyone.

-Dean

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dean,

Back in July 2004, I did the K-1 Visa myself for my then fiancee, took about 6 months from time of mailing off the I-129F petition (mailed to the USCIS California service Center) to my wife getting her interview in BKK. Our case was simple in that none of us ever married nor did we have any children from previous relationships. Anyways it was not THAT easy but do-able w/out any lawyers.

I couldn't have done it w/out the help from others in the following website:

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm

and

http://forums.delphiforums.com/thaifalang/start

As with any USCIS cases, "your miles may vary" with processing times.

Good luck to both of you...

regards,

Chivasgeo

Edited June 21, 2005 by chivasgeo