steveinbsas said:
The "immigration lawers" may indeed provide a valuable service to those who are willing to pay, and I am not saying it's a scam.
It just isn't necessary.
It just depends on how quickly you want it done and how much you value your OWN time. If you have no or low value on your time and don't mind going back and forth for stuff that could have been easily avoided, or simply can't afford it, don't use a lawyer most definitely. I have to agree that wasting money doesn't serve anyone except those who the money is wasted on.
However, if you charge your time out by the hour and every trip down to immigrations (or whatever other things you have to do) takes away from money you're earning, or you simply would rather do something OTHER than screw around with possible issue in immigrations, and you can afford it, get a lawyer.
Steve, YOU may have flown through the process with no problems. I KNOW OTHERS personally who have not had such a wonderful, easy time. Both Mercosur residents and US, Canadian and Netherlands residents, all but one of whom speak perfect or reasonable Spanish.
To answer others who are asking about a good lawyer to use, and have decided that that is what THEY want to do, I would say that there are probably better lawyers than the one the thread mentions at the start. I looked at their site and it seems a little cheesey. Hell, they say they have a price list, but I didn't see it - you have to call to get a price? Maybe I missed it - I have to admit I was in a hurry.
Attorney In BA seems to have a good sense of immigration requirements, but I haven't used him. I have seen others provide a good recommendation for him and I'm sure he would be able to do the job.
Also, search for Gabriel Celano on this site. I personally used him and have been very pleased with his pricing and his ability to get my stuff processed very quickly and painlessly, including him doing all the work of sending away for my birth certificate, FBI report and handling getting it all apostilled in the States without my having to lift a finger (while I was working and billing my time! And I live in BA, which is why that was a big deal for me). Aside from other family members I've used him for, I know three other ex-pats who have used him to get their residencies, with no issues.