ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting USA during immigration process
We started the visa process in October last year and I have visited twice since then on the VWP both times for about 2 weeks. I had no problems at POE - when I said I was there to visit my husband the IO just said fine and let me through. The issue of the visa was not even mentioned.

I had proof of employment, rental agreement etc with me but no one asked to see them.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-06-22 04:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI 130 petition sent on October 9
Hey Kristy/Pecky I'm right there with you - early October filer and on sign of life since it went on
the online system on 24th Feb.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-03 15:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhen is travel more risky NOA1 or NOA2???
It's not really clear what they know about the application of petitions at the POE - some people think it comes up on their computer and others don't. I've visited twice since getting the NOA1 and the subject of a visa never came up. The first time I said I was there on vacation to visit 'family' and there were no further questions. The second time I was asked who I was staying with and I said 'my husband' and there were no further questions. But like you I had lots of information at the ready to show I was going home - return ticket, letter from employer, letter from landlady etc. I didn't need to show any of it though.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-10 03:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling I129F, will it help? or will it hurt?
I'm also wondering about this...we filed in Oct last year and have had no sign of any movement on our case since 24th Feb when it was entered into the online system. We were one of those unfortunate couples who got caught up in the receipting backlog so we didn't get our NOA1 until January.

I keep thinking that despite this late date we should file for the K3 just to get the applications paired up and the I-130 would at least be noticed? Does anyone think this would work?
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-14 11:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresoctober Filers CR1
Hi - another Oct filer still waiting - we also filed at the beginning of Oct last year - have an NOA1 date of Jan 10th and were put in the online system Feb 24th.

We just had our first wedding anniversary yesterday - luckily I was able to spend it with my husband as he flew over to be with me but now he is on his way home and we are starting our second year of marriage still apart!!!

I hate this.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-20 16:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAm i allowed to go to the USA to visit my husband??
I visted my husband in the US about five different times during the visa process after we had applied for the CR1 visa. (using VWP)

You are allowed to visit on a non-immigrant visa while applying for an immigrant visa.

However...

- if you don't have access to the VWP and have to apply for a tourist visa, it is very likely that you will be denied the visa because of the immigrant visa application. (some people have been successful - it's a risk you take that you will lose the visa fee if they deny)

- even if you are successful and have either a tourist visa or can use the VWP that is no guarantee that you will be allowed to enter once you get to the US. If the IO suspects you will not return to your home country they can deny you entry. Always take lots of evidence of return to deal with this scenario.


I think some consulates/countries do discourage any visiting during an immigrant visa application which is why some people here are convinced it's not possible. You should try to find out from the Embassy / other applicants from your home country if there is a trend to allow/not allow tourist visas for immigrant visa applicants. It clearly differs from place to place.



TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-12 07:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIn the US during immigration process
As others have said there is no way for her to move here while you finish the process but she could potentially visit for up to 90 days which would be something. I came over for a three-month visit while my CR1 visa was processing and had no problems at entry. However I did bring with me evidence of ties to the UK - lease, bank statements, letter from work saying they were expecting me back. I wasn't asked for any proof of return though beyond my return ticket.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-17 18:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMistaken about the CR1, but still confused

"I am going to the U.S. for work" is the only thing he needs to say, as that is the one concrete fact. "To see my girlfriend who lives here" would not even be necessary info.


Actually I am very surprised that your boyfriend can use the VWP to come to the US for work. It's normally only for tourist/visitor use. Most people need another type of visa for work purposes.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-08 11:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIncluding personal photos with I-130 petition?
We sent in three wedding pictures - one showing us together with my step-children, one with us and both our parents and one with a group wedding shot showing us with all our friends and family. I figured it couldn't hurt and was a quick picture reference that our marriage was a fully accepted family occasion.

I took pictures from different stages of our 5 year relationship to the interview. The photos I sent with the petition were never mentioned or seen again and they never asked for any photos or any other evidence at the interview.

So they might not have been necessary at all - who knows - but I thought it couldn't hurt to send a couple in and three didn't exactly make the package weigh any more.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-25 11:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo I NEED to attend the interview process?

No specifics set yet. We just know that we want to get married and wasn't sure if we should wait due to the visa. I found that the CR-1 is a little more timely but better in the long run like you had mentioned about the green card and such. It seems to be less expensive as well from what I have found. I don't see his family coming here from the UK for the wedding and we didn't plan on anything big. So if I am right he can come here from the UK, we can get married and start filing the CR-1 but we need to make sure he is home for the interview and medical exam ..... correct ???


He can some over to the US and get married and you can start the CR1 process - if he travels under the VWP then he will have to go home before the end of the 90 days allowed - so he will probably definitely be home for the interview and medical exam as it's unlikely to happen in under three months.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-25 16:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBest course of action while awaiting I-130 approval
It is up to the border official on the day however many people on here going through the CR1 visa have successfully visited while going through the process using the VWP.

My husband and I had a VERY long visa process when we got caught up in the infamous 2007 price rise backlog. (And just for current applicants complaining about their 5 month waits to NOA2 - we waited over 90 days just for the NOA1 and over ten months for the NOA2 - and our case was simple with no RFEs)

So from the time we first sent in the form to the time I had my Embassy interview I visited four times - three times for 2 weeks and the final time for just under 90 days. Each time I was asked why I was there and I said to visit my husband. I was never asked about the visa application and I was never asked for any evidence of return apart from my return ticket. (I took with me letters from my employer, bank statements, rental agreements etc just in case)

It is a risk - and your wife will have to buy a return ticket and go straight home if refused but I didn't ever have the slightest issue. I also had a good record of visiting and returning - we had been in a long distance relationship for two years before we married and I had been traveling to the US six times a year for a week or two each year during that time.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-25 20:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan we live together in US prior to approval?

Bob, I am starting to get how this works now. That helps; I see now what you mean about "intent". Very important.
Also, your time line isn't too bad. When you say filed the petition in Apr 2009, is that the I-130 petition or something else?
K


If you have a tourist visa or can use the VWP is it possible to visit while the application is processing - bearing in mind that some people have had problems at the border and are turned away. However many many people visit successfully. I visited four or five times during the time the application was processing and never had any problems. I even stayed for nearly the full VWP limit on one occasion (90 days) which was a little bit like living together properly for the first time in our marriage. I never overstayed and I always took evidence of my return - letter from employers etc.

A lot depends on your country of origin and whether you are using the VWP. It's definitely easier for some nationalities than others.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-27 05:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel to US while I-130 in process

"Of course there are some cases of people being refused entry but most people from the US don't have a problem using the VWP to visit at any stage of the immigration process."

Do you mean the UK, as my husband is a UK citizen and would be coming to visit me in the US?


Ack - I did mean UK! New mummy brain - I had a baby too just 8 weeks ago and typing is a little more difficult with a newborn in one arm!

To clarify - People from the UK usually visit via the VWP problem free
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-11 09:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel to US while I-130 in process

Hello. I have been reading lots of information in the forum in regards to traveling to the US, while an I-130 is in process. Here is my scenario and my questions:

I am the USC, married to UK citizen. I hold a spouse visa for the UK, and I currently about 6 months pregnant. I am currently visiting family, alone in the US (texas), and debating whether to go back to the UK, or just stay and file for my husband here. I know of the quicker DCF process, however...I am very weary of having my child in the UK as my local hospital was not so great, I know we can live better financially here in the US, and we had originally planned to move back to the US at some point anyway. The more I think about it, having to do the Birth notification, getting a passport for the baby, flying with a baby...is all just nauseating to me. When I could stay here and get us set up, and wait out the CR-1 process.

My question is:
If I file the i-130 now, can my husband come to visit for the birth of our son through the VWP? I dont know how the IO's will take this at the POE. We have no intention of jumping immigration rules, as I want to follow the law..but want him to be able to see his child born. I just want him to come over to see the event, stay a bit, probably less than a month or two...then go back to the UK, to await interviews and such. I read you need proof of ties to his country. Would a checking statement, unpaid loan documentation, be sufficient? He could probably also get a work letter saying he is employed and due back. Or do we need something else, like a copy of the I-130 to show we are going about immigration the legal way?

I know the CR-1 process is maximum 9 months, and I dont want him to have to miss his sons birth. Does anyone have any experience in this?



You already know the answer most people will give you. Yes, your husband can visit using the VWP and stay for up to 90 days but there is always the worry that he will get turned away at the border.

I visited my husband a lot over the 4 years before I moved over here to be with him. I visited while he was my boyfriend, fiance and husband. I visited about four times over the time we had the visa being processed. I never had any kind of trouble.

I always said I was there for a vacation. I always had a return ticket for about 2 weeks later. I never mentioned the immigration process and it never came up.

I also had with my documents to prove return such as a letter from work saying when I was going to be back, my rental agreement, bank statement etc. I was never asked to provide any of that information and as I said, I was never asked about the immigration process.

On my last visit I changed my 2-week ticket for a later date once I had entered and stayed for a couple of months. Then I went home to prepare for the visa interview.

You have slightly higher stakes as you want your husband to be there for your baby's birth so a refusal will be even more devastating. However it should be fine. Of course there are some cases of people being refused entry but most people from the US don't have a problem using the VWP to visit at any stage of the immigration process.

Edited by lsma, 11 August 2010 - 08:31 AM.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-11 08:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGetting Married in the US (Just Engaged but Booked Vendors Already!)

Hi everyone! Im not sure if I posted on the right (sub)forum, but here's my deal anyway. I'm hoping some of you could offer some advice.

My fiance (Naturalized American) and I (Filipina) were originally looking into filing for a fiance Visa but my family wanted a "proper" Catholic wedding in the US. I caved in (even though I was really okay with a small civil ceremony) and during my last visit we started booking vendors.

Since I am getting married in the US, I know I will have to come back to the Philippines so I could file for a Spouse Visa. I used to be okay with this (since I didn't really have a choice), but realized that the reason my FI and I are getting married is so that we could FINALLY be together already after 4 years. Getting married only to be 7000 miles apart again doesnt really make sense.

SO my question is this -- do you think I could file for AOS? What are my options? A part of me is willing to go through immigration lawyers -- would that help?

Thanks again!


Where are you now? If you are in the US and are going to get married without leaving then yes, you could file AOS. However if you are not in the US you can't fly back for the wedding with the intention of then staying and adjusting status.

If your family want you to have a big wedding in the US I don't really understand why you don't go with your original plan and do the fiancee visa. Once you have the visa and have entered the US with that - then you can have your big Catholic wedding.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-11 08:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisiting my husband
I was in exactly your position OP. I am from the UK my husband is from the US - I visited about 4-5 times under the VWP after we sent in the visa application.

I ALWAYS said I was visiting my husband and I always had a selection of 'evidence' of my return - letter from work, lease agreement etc

I was NEVER asked for any of the evidence and I never had any problems at the border. They usually just asked to see my return ticket and asked how long I was staying. The visa was never mentioned. The fact that I was visiting my husband was never commented on.

If you're coming from the UK under the VWP and you have a clean history of visiting without overstaying you are very unlikely to have a problem.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-18 08:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC TWO MONTH LONGER WAIT THAN VCS??

When we went through VSC was the slow one. :bonk:

Our case was transferred to CSC after 4 months and a month later we had our approval.


Ditto

When we applied our case sat untouched for ten months at VSC - it was transferred to CSC and the petition was approved in 2 weeks.

We were three at a time when the backlog meant it took over 90 days alone to get our NOA1

Ahhh the bad old days...

Edited by lsma, 05 October 2010 - 11:00 PM.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-05 22:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC to TSC possible sernario why everything on HOLD
There actually could be a huge spike in the workload for removing conditions right now as it's 2 years since we had the huge 1-130 backlog because of the last round of price increases.

When we applied in Oct 2007 we filed just after a large price increase which had led to a rush to get petitions in before the rise and resulted in something like double the normal number of petitions being filed.

At the time it meant a wait for over 90 days just for an NOA1 and a wait of ten months for the NOA2 - now of course a good section of those people are probably filing for removal of conditions right now.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-15 08:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Visa or Spouse Visa - Which is quicker?
QUOTE (SusieK @ Dec 6 2007, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Best of luck mate, but curious tho, how did the dual citizenship get obtained for it has been known for years that one can not hold dual citzenship with the USA and THE UK - just curious, maybe things have changed.

But again best to yours on this journey its long heartbreaking but worth it.

Cheers\

Susie


Dual citizenship:

You can usually get it through birth - so having one parent who is a US citizen and one who is a UK citizen

Plus, as the law stands at the moment, the USA and the UK tolerate people holding citizenship of both countries

So for example this info from the UK Home Office

The Law in the United Kingdom

In general there is no restriction, in UK law, on a British national being a citizen of another country as well. So, if you get another nationality, you will not lose your British nationality. Similarly, you will not need to give up any other nationality when you become British. (Different rules apply in the cases of British protected persons and certain British subjects. A person who is a British subject otherwise than by connection with the Republic of Ireland will lose that status on acquiring any other nationality or citizenship. Similarly, a British protected person will no longer be a British protected person on acquiring any other nationality or citizenship.)

Other countries

Many other countries will not let you have dual nationality (two nationalities). If you get British nationality, and are also a national of a country which does not allow dual nationality, the authorities of that country may either regard you as having lost that nationality or may refuse to recognise your new nationality. The Consulate or High Commission of the country whose nationality you also hold will be able to tell you whether that country allows dual nationality.

If you are a British national, and you get the nationality of a country which does not allow dual nationality, you may be required by the other country to renounce (give up) your British nationality.

http://www.ind.homeo...ity/advice/bn18

From the US DOS

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

http://travel.state....s/cis_1753.html

So unless you actually make an official statement to give up your US citizenship when you take UK citizenship you can stay a citizen of both, apparently.

Edited by lsma, 06 December 2007 - 08:36 AM.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-12-06 08:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa for Marriage
QUOTE
If the UK visa for marriage is valid for 6 months, that probably means 6 months from the time he enters the UK AND probably, more specifically means 6 months OR until he leaves the UK[/u]...because by using the visa he is saying he is entering the UK with the intention to marry...not with the intention the meet with the registrar and make wedding arrangements.

So does the visa expire if he enters the UK on it then leaves before marriage takes place?


My husband and I got married in the UK and he had to get the marriage visa to do it. He applied for it in February last year. Came over to give notice to the registrar in May. Went home and then came back in July for the wedding. So I know that the visa for marriage does not expire when the foreign citizen leaves after giving notice. However I think the six months does start from the first entry.

QUOTE
Can he have a Visa for Marriage in his passport but still enter the UK (in July) on the US to UK Visa Waiver Programme, therefor not yet using the marriage visa? This way you could satisfy the registrar's requirements as the visa will have been granted.


Unfortunately to give notice the foreign citizen must activate the visa to give notice - the registrar needs to see the stamp on the visa which is given on entry to complete the process of giving notice.

I think you then have six months to get married but he can come and go inbetween. I'm not sure if it's possible to get a second visa - I don't think so. You should call the General Register Office http://www.gro.gov.u...tent/marriages/ they should know.

Can you delay the trip to give notice to nearer your wedding date?

Also are you really set on doing it this way round? I am beginning to wish now that I had gone the fiance K1 route. Being apart for possibly up to a year after the wedding is much harder than I thought it would be. We'd been in a long distance relationship for three years by the time we got married so I thought it would just be a bit more time to wait. However it feels COMPLETLEY different being separated from my husband to my boyfriend/fiance. Much much worse.
I really wanted to get married in the UK and I really wanted to be able to work as soon as I arrived which is why I chose the CR1 BUT now after being married for six months and apart I wish I'd chosen differently.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-01-23 19:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYeah! K-1 Approved, with child. Now I'm not so sure.
Can you go over there for a Christmas visit and help her finish packing and bring her home in the new year?
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-12 17:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about my finance coming to visit
I've visited the US to see my husband about 20 times over the last three years. It's included times when he was just my boyfriend, through fiance to husband. The last four times have been during the visa process.

In recent vists I've said (when asked) that I am staying with my husband. I've never been asked anything about the visa process or for any proof of return - although I have always had with me

- a return ticket
- a letter from work saying when I was expected back in the office
- a letter from my landlady saying I had a continuing lease with her
- a couple of bills/bank statements showing ongoing commitments in the UK

The only extra questions I have ever been asked after saying I was there for a vacation have been

- what job do you do?
- who is doing the driving while you are over here(!)
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-25 09:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOur Attorney
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 27 2008, 11:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lsma @ Nov 27 2008, 05:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 27 2008, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (tomaran @ Nov 27 2008, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!
Thanks for the reply btw

timeline.gif


If you read the thread you will see that the OP cannot fill in their timeline as they have no idea if their petition has even been filed yet - so they have no information to add to a timeline.

They don't know when they got married?


They are filing for a K1 visa so right now they have NOTHING to put in a timeline unless they can get this lawyer to tell them when/if he has filed their paperwork yet.

Even if they were doing a spousal visa and had the marriage date - putting just that in a timeline would not help them right now or help the VJ stats without any filing date.

Plus right now the OP has a bit more on their plate to worry about than the VJ timeline! They have been waiting five months for this lawyer without any sign their petition has made it further than his desk.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-27 18:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOur Attorney
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 27 2008, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (tomaran @ Nov 27 2008, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!
Thanks for the reply btw

timeline.gif


If you read the thread you will see that the OP cannot fill in their timeline as they have no idea if their petition has even been filed yet - so they have no information to add to a timeline.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-27 18:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOur Attorney
So he's had your forms since June and you don't know if he has even sent them off yet?

That's terrible. Can you set up a face to face appointment to get to the bottom of it?
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-27 16:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOur Attorney
We haven't used a lawyer so I can't help with your direct query. It sounds like he is very frustrating to work with if he's not answering when you call.

However - having a lawyer cannot make the actual process go any faster and it can be a very long and slow process. Is your case outside of the normal processing times? How does it compare to other people on this site?

It might be that he has nothing to tell you because nothing has happened yet.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-27 16:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Rescheduling Help!
I managed to reschedule my CR1 visa at the London embassy. Although I did it the other way round for an earlier date rather than a later one.

I rang the information line and asked if I could have a different date and they said I would have to do it by email and gave me the address and the special code for that week.

I emailed with all my details - reference number etc - and asked if it was possible to have an earlier date. They had originally given me December 17th and I said I would take any earlier date possible. They emailed me back within two days and told me I could have the interview on the 5th December instead. They sent me new letter with the new date on it.

There can't be any harm in asking.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-06 15:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDeath of Fiancee
So sorry for your loss.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-05 00:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresha they found my case

So pleased for you that something is finally being done!
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-12 21:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresChanging Return Flight?

It will probably be fine - I did it last Aug - arrived with a 2-week ticket and then changed when there to a ticket just under the 90 days.

It's very unlikely they will mark your passport for a 2 week return but if they do you'll just have to return on your original ticket.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-22 20:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStill not sure what to do... K1 or K3 any advice?
Well I am the European partner in our relationship and we did take speed and money into account. For example the K1 would most likely have been quicker for us but I didn't want to risk not being able to return to the UK for three months after entry.

(So far I have been back twice in 5 months so I'm glad we did the CR1)


By money I mean more than just the cost of the visa I mean include the money of not being able to take a job for a while under the K1

But I agree Gary, it's not just those two issues and it all depends on your own relationship and circumstances.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-31 14:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStill not sure what to do... K1 or K3 any advice?
I agree that the CR1 is better than the K3. But the K1 may be faster than the CR1.

It depends whether speed or money is your concern. HOWEVER bear in mind that each case is different and unique so some people on a K1 take much longer than others and the same with CR1.

http://www.ehow.com/...e-visa-usa.html

Edited by lsma, 31 May 2009 - 10:25 AM.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-31 10:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS citizen living abroad - can apply for K1?
As you have correctly identified you would need to be married to do DCF. But you could perhaps do a quick and simple marriage ceremony in the UK for just the two of you and then DCF and have the big family wedding party with a non-official ceremony when you have moved back home.

Then your fiance would get a CR1 visa and be able to work immediately on entry.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-24 09:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 - petitioner got cold feet - final interview Monday (in 3 days in london) - What best to do
It is usually possible to reschedule an interview - I asked and was given a closer date so i don't see why you couldn't ask for a later one. I'm sure that when people are ill they do that.

To change your date you need to call the London Embassy premium line and they will give you the current email code. You then email the Embassy using that code in the subject line and they normally get back to you within three days - which I know is cutting it fine for you.


TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-20 10:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHonest opinions please :)

She can visit for 90 days. Get married in the first week, Get the I-130 petition off, wait out a good portion of the petition processing, and then go home to finish up the visa. She doesn't have to leave the country before they send off the petition.


However - she couldn't work while there as a visitor and I think money is an issue for a long term stay so she might want to go back relatively quickly to get back to her job in the UK.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-21 14:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Fiance flipping out...
I came on a CR1 visa so I knew I could get home if there was an emergency and I was able to look for work etc straight away but even so the adjustment period was hard. (And that's with no language issues and I'd already spent several months living in the US with my husband before)

Ignore the tough love posters above - what your fiancee needs is patience, understanding and a little bit of preparation from you to make things easier when she arrives. If she knows how prepared you are for her arrival and that you're going to be supportive for as long as it take her to get used to her new life I'm sure she will calm down.

Things she's probably worried about...and my suggestions for how to help her

1. Being trapped in the US if there's an emergency back home she needs to get to

Lay out for her the process of applying for AP and reassure her that you will be on top of it as soon as she gets there to get it as quickly as possible. Research and let her know you have the info ready for how to apply for emergency AP via Infopass just in case something happens. Reassure her that you understand how she must be feeling but that you'll work it out together.

2. Money - giving up a job and an income can make you feel very vulnerable

Reassure her that you will be supporting her until she finds a job - depending on what you're planning to do with your finances it might help her to know that you will have a joint bank account and that she will be able to have some of her own money until she can find a job.

3. Loss of familiar things from home

Compile useful lists of shops, entertainment options, places to visit, spas, hair and nail salons etc. Create a package with maps and brochures of your area - a fun 'things to do' box. Help her see that this period of not being able to work could be a golden time for relaxing and getting to know her new home.

4. Not feeling 'at home'

My husband let me redecorate our new home and make it feel like ours. He organized lots of family and friends evenings so that I could start to feel part of the community. My mother-in-law took me to museums and shopping once a week for the first few weeks. Get your family and friends involved in welcoming her. Let her have a say in how your new home together will look and feel. Talk about all the fun things you'll do together. Talk about how soon you might be able to have her family and friends from home come and visit. Let her know she will still be able to contact people from home via the internet and phone as often as she needs to.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 12:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProposed Civil Partnership/ Fiancee visa

Sorry I forgot to state:

Same sex marriage/civil partnership
I would be moving to england where is is legal, moving out of US

Have done soooo much research but still need advice from the questions I stated in my first post

We are applying for the civil partnership/ Fiancee visa to the UK


Have you tried this site? http://www.uk-yankee.com/ they know more about immigration that direction (US to Uk)
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-03 21:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProposed Civil Partnership/ Fiancee visa
Hi Sarah - I am guessing by the title of your post and also that in your post you mention a period of not working for six months that you (the USC) are looking to emigrate to the UK? The previous posters are correct that the US has no provision for immigration for same sex couples but the UK does so that's probably the best solution for you.

Unfortunately this board really specializes in US immigration so I don't think there are many people here who will be able to help with advice on the financial requirements for UK immigration but good luck with everything.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-03 21:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp sorting which visa to choose?
Just to mention that in case you change your mind about visa and want to get married in the UK - my husband applied for the marriage visa in the UK so that we could be married there before we applied for the CR1 and I moved to the US.

The visa is really quick to obtain - it took 5 days from my husband posting the packet to the UK Embassy in Washington to receiving his passport back with the visa. The visa also allows you the option of staying for 6 months in the UK and adjusting status after the wedding to live there. (Although we didn't use those options my husband went back to the US 5 days after our wedding)

I'm not sure how it works in Scotland but the second issue you need to look at when getting married in the UK is the regional rules for the type of wedding you are having. We had a civil ceremony in England and to make that a legal, registered marriage my husband had to spend a week living in the UK - which we had to prove before getting our marriage licence.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-18 16:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI don't have a vaccination record, help!!
I asked my GP if I could have the shots as I was immigrating and the US required them and they thought it was a bit weird and unnecessary but they did them anyway for free.

Try your doctor again - loads of people get shots for travel from their NHS doctors - there may be a small fee there but I bet it's cheaper than the ones at the London medical.

You could always try a different doctor within the same practice if there is one.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-21 12:22:00