posted by lawyersofmelbourne.com.au admin on Nov 15
For those researching Immigration lawyers in Thailand, there seems to be one key concern: how do I know that my Thai fiance is receiving correct and competent Legal advice from a professional? The answer: ask to see some credentials. Much like a waitress asking someone for ID who appears less than 21 years of age, prospective clients should never be too shy to ask their prospective attorney for a copy of his or her bar card or other certificate in order authenticate their credentials. Also, inquire as to what Law school the attorney attended, if he or she graduated, and upon graduation what state bar exam was taken and passed in order to acquire a license to practice law. Should the individual attempt to dodge the question or if he becomes angry, then one could take this as a sign that the individual is not being completely candid about something…or isn’t what they claim to be. If he or she provides the name of their state of licensure, then go to the internet and search for the bar association or Supreme Court of that state. Every state maintains a database listing all of the attorneys licensed in their jurisdiction. If the “attorney” is not on this list, then further inquiry may be required.
Usually at this phase, most people would wonder: “Am I going to trust my Thai fiance to an operator who fabricates information about their legal credentials?”
US Visa rules and regulations are a complicated area of law that seems to constantly remain in a state of flux. On the face of it, American visa law appears very simple and there are some who maintain that it is simply an exercise in “filling in paperwork.” In many cases, after looking at the situation more closely people often find that this body of law is highly technical and complicated to the point of being nearly byzantine. Misrepresenting facts in a visa application can cause unforeseen difficulties for the petitioner and the beneficiary. Pose this question to yourself, “should I place my thai fiancee in the hands of a person who instructs her to lie to the U.S. Government?”
Ignorance of relevant immigration rules and deadlines can lead an unwitting couple into a situation where they are unable to achieve their immigration goals in the time frame they desire. When seeking immigration advice, steer clear of so-called, “visa specialists” as they are not qualified to represent an applicant before USCIS. Those to be most wary of: unqualified individuals who claim to be licensed lawyers when in reality they are not licensed in good standing in any American jurisdiction, and furthermore have probably not graduated from an accredited Law School. This type of unscrupulous individual should be avoided at all costs, if for no other reason than the fact that if problems arise with the application only a licensed attorney can explain the situation to the authorities at USCIS. Only a licensed attorney will have the credibility to provide follow-up documentation in a 221g refusal at the US Embassy.
To learn more about this and other Immigration matters please see: K1 Visa Thailand.