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Us Immigration: Do It Yourself Kits?

This article exposes some of the myths associated with the US visa process and the use of "Do It Yourself" Kits by those seeking either a fiance visa or a marriage visa for an alien fiance or spouse.

United States Immigration law is a very complex area of American jurisprudence. This is likely attributable to the fact that this field of law is primarily driven by statute which can rapidly change if new legislation is enacted. Furthermore, in order to carry-out the relevant provisions of US immigration law American governmental agencies enact internal rules and regulations.

The effectiveness of "Do it Yourself" Immigration kits is one that many prospective visa Petitioners have contemplated. There is a veritable cottage industry of internet retailers offering packages that claim to provide all of the necessary materials for one to effectively process a visa petition and application on behalf of a foreign loved one (usually these kits are "specifically tailored" to assist those with a Russian Fiancee, a Thai Fiancee, a Brazillian Fiancee, etc).

To be clear, this author has no particular problem with couples who choose not to hire an attorney to assist in filing a petition for a US visa. (Individuals who pursue visa benefits without opting to retain a lawyer are often referred to in the immigration community as "Pro Se" Filers.) This author believes that representing oneself before the US government is an inalienable right enshrined in the Constitution itself. It is unfortunate to note that some have attempted to profit from the US Citizenry's right to self-petition for visa benefits. In many cases, the information that these individuals offer is fairly shoddy. The claims made by those selling "kits" are often rather spurious and generally they are accompanied by guarantees of success. As this author has reiterated many times: no ethical individual can guarantee and outcome in a matter pending before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the National Visa Center (NVC), or a US Embassy abroad.

It ought to further be noted that many so-called "Do It Yourself" Kits simply re-package and convey information that is already available to the public at no charge. Some people feel that the "Value Added" by visa kits is minimal. In many cases, such kits are produced by individuals who are neither licensed to practice law nor certified by the Board of Immigration Appeals.

What does this mean in practical terms? For US Citizen Petitioners who are seeking guidance about the US visa process there is often a feeling that "Kits" promise more than they deliver. For some, the resources expended on visa kits might be better expended on retaining the advice and counsel of a competent, and duly licensed, immigration lawyer who can provide assistance in streamlining the overall process. If one simply wishes to save money, then many feel that simply keeping the money otherwise spent on a kit is a better strategy compared to spending money for a kit that offers little practical assistance.

Oftentimes, the information provided in these "Kits" is not very up-to-date and this can prove extremely problematic for couples who detrimentally rely upon this information when processing their application. Internal rules and Departmental regulations change so quickly that even attorneys practicing US Immigration law can sometimes feel as if the whole process is in a constant state of flux. Combine this with the fact that each and every American Embassy or American Consulate overseas has its own set of local rules and protocols (that can change frequently) and one is left wondering if a "Kit" can ever provide fully comprehensive information about the US visa process as a whole.

About the Author

Benjamin Hart is a licensed attorney from the US. He currently acts as the Managing Director of Integrity Legal (Thailand) Co. Ltd a firm located in Bangkok. Contact them at 1-877-231-7533, +66 (0)2-266-3698, or info@integrity-legal.com. see them on the world wide web at:
American Visa Thailand
or

K1 visa

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SCUBA: As a beginner, which kit should I buy first?

I've got my Open Water and logged enough basic hours to start thinking about starting buy my own kit.

What should be first on my list, and what would logically follow? I wear glasses and my girlfriend is treating me to a prescription pair for my birthday, so no need to wrry about them.

I'm guessing wetsuit, fins, BCD, regulator, dive computer/ watch? How about a good quality knife, or is this not really needed at my stage (I am planning on wreck diving in the near future, though).

Thanks!

PS, I am male, 23 and in the UK (Bristol).

When purchasing gear, don't be afraid to do a little research by visiting the various manufacturer's websites. Granted they will all tell you that their gear is the best but look at the various features and benefits that the equipment has to offer.
Make a list of the types of diving that you currently engage in and the types of diving that you might see yourself doing in the future.
Does the piece that you are looking at fulfill those needs.
Realize that no manufacturer can afford to make a bad regulator but you may find that some of the "bells and whistles" either more or less suitable for your needs.
Try to keep at least the regulator, occy and computer to one manufacturer as this makes the serviceability aspect so much easier. Having to take your main regulator to one dive store for its annual and your occy and computer to another can get tedious and expensive.

If your budget allows, see if there are package prices. Packages usually consist of a regulator, occy, BCD and gauges/computer and are generally cheaper in the long run than buying piece by piece.

At all costs, avoid buying used as any and all manufacturer warranties are for original owner only and are null and void when purchased second hand.

If buying online or in a physical "brick and mortar" dive store check the manufacturers' websites to make sure that they are authorized to sell and service that gear. If they aren't and you purchase from them then it is considered second hand.

Check the serviceabilty of the equipment. If you have a problem out of the country will you have a problem getting your equipment adjusted or fixed?

If you had to buy from scratch my advice on order of importance would be as follows:
1. Mask (give your girlfriend a kiss on getting the prescription as it is so much better seeing while diving than not), fins (boots if needed) and snorkel (you will be prepared for snorkeling and can rent if you dive)

2. Regulator (complete with occy and computer gauges) This portion is your life support and at this point you are prepared for scuba (both at home and abroad) and can still rent BCD and other gear as needed.

3. If bought separately then a BCD (tanks and other gear a can still be rented)

4. An equipment bag.

5. Dive tool i.e. knife or cutting tool

6. Exposure suit (suitable for the environment that you will be diving in the most i.e.cold or warm water) If most of your diving is cold water then get the cold water suit before getting a warm water suit.

7. Scuba cylinder(s) If the bulk of the diving you do is local.

8. Weights This is last on the list because until your exposure suit is broken in and you have dove with all of the above for awhile, the weight needed will fluctuate. Purchase weights if, again, the bulk of your diving is local.

I don't think I missed anything but if you have questions on fitting gear check out the gear guides and videos on how to fit gear at the links below.

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