ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse added to lease- he isn't here to sign?
I'm not giving advice here; it's just a funny story this made me think of~~

I have a friend whose been married around 35 years. She's been a housewife most of that time and takes care of all the bills, taxes, family paperwork, etc. She told me once "I've been signing Joe's name for so long that if he ever actually signed something himself they would think it was forgery." :)
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-05-08 19:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions!

You guys are always so helpful, thank you!

First off..

1) My husband's eldest sister is getting married in August (in England) and I'm invited. I know the beneficiary has to do paperwork to get approval to travel to the US, but what about the petitioner to go to the beneficiary's country for a couple weeks?

You can visit but it might be good to carry the invitation showing why you are there, a return ticket, something from your job. They normally ask me "what is the purpose of your visit?" You can say "to attend a wedding."

2) I've been seeing people get their affidavit of support doc denied, and I've been a little scared. I haven't made enough in my past 3 tax returns due to going to university, but now that I've graduated I've held a steady job for the past six months. Would a letter from my employer stating my current employment plus salary and some pay stubs suffice as proof of income, or should I seek a cosponsor? My husband is from England so I don't know about how lenient they are concerning affidavits of support.. but I really do not want to bother my parents and ask them to co-sponsor. Any suggestions?


You won't need a joint sponsor for London. Letter from employer and pay stubs will be okay for them. The requirement is current income, not previous tax return income.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-05-06 07:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVaccinations

My husband had his Tdap yesterday but can MMR & Varicella titres (blood test for immunity) be used for the medical in lieu of shots?? He had the chicken pox as a child & also received measles, mumps & rubella vaccines but at 47yrs old cannot get proof other than blood test. He's a little pansy about getting shots, but doesn't mind blood drawn LOL...was traumatized by needles as a kid =)


Knightsbridge clinic will take your word for it if you tell them you had chickenpox. One MMR shot and he's done. Blood titre will work.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-05-19 21:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInfluenza Vaccination

well, i had checked the official immunization chart and it said flu for ppl older than 50 and some lil kids. so not my age at all - and i had th medical in germany 2 days ago and the doc said my vaccinations are all right.

so i believe u shouldnt need it at all - be sure and check the uscis vacc chart - the link was posted in some earlier thread.


Here's the chart with the latest revisions. Note the influenza. http://www.cdc.gov/i...tions.html#tbl1

You wouldn't need a flu shot because it's not flu season.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-10 14:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInfluenza Vaccination

Hi guys,

I called my local GP about getting some of the vaccinations I need.

They said they only do Influenza when its the season, I have never had the Influenza shot before. Is there no way I can get it before flu season?
anyone got experience with this.

I guess otherwise I just get it done when I get the medical? Correct?

Flu season is Oct 1 - Mar 31. If it is not flu season on the date of your medical exam, then the flu vaccination is waived.




If the UK is anything like Guangzhou, they will only accept vaccinations by their designated medical exam facilities. Seems kind of silly to me, but why should this part be any different than the rest of the process :wacko: Best bet is as you said, get the vaccinations done at the time of the medical exam.

Not true in the UK. If your GP gives the immunizations, they are accepted by the Knightsbridge clinic panel physician.




From what I understand you just need that if you're under 5 or 50+ years old. Can't deduct your age from your profile so not sure if this information helps you in any way, but can't hurt, right?

That was Changed to everyone older than 6 months in November 2010 for the 2010-2011 flu season. See the CDC link for details http://www.cdc.gov/i...lu-vaccine.html
The 2010-2011 flu season is now over but the flu shot is on the most current immunization charts for those under 50. A new reccommendation could come out for 2011-2012 flu season.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-10 06:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiled tax return as single

I did made an amendment and mail them to state and Fed , Now copied the amended form and send it to my wife just in case they question,
Now since i made an amendment, will this still be a problem ??

In London, it wouldn't be a problem without amending the return, but you're straight with the IRS now.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-13 19:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiled tax return as single
London is pretty easy on their interviews so probably won't be a big deal to them.

Your filing status as a married man should have been Married Filing Separately. Your taxes will be higher with that category by the way.

And a FYI, people with spouses who have never even set foot in the US file jointly with those foreign spouses. It's bit complicated. The procedure is to complete the tax return, leaving the SSN or ITIN blank. Write the statement described on page 10 of Pub. 519 electing for the foreign spouse to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes for 2010. Report the foreign income, but exclude it with Form 2555. Also fill out the ITIN application with supporting documents about the foreign spouse.

Then mail all of that as a paper return to

Internal Revenue Service
ITIN Operations
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

This is a special dept and not where you would mail your normal return. They will process the ITIN, add it to the return, then process the return.

It will likely be the best tax scenario as far as taxes owed/refunded as the case may be.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 12 June 2011 - 03:26 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-12 15:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLondon CR1 Interview any extras to bring?

Ahh okay then thanks :) So born in UK, standard British surname, only visited America and Europe I shouldn't have any shady looking history :)

Gotcha. Im not familiar with the I-157, do I fill that in at interview?


No, sorry. That's a K1 form. I think it should all go well for you. Good luck. There's reviews of London interviews and you can pick out the CR1s to read and get an idea of how it goes. In the menu bar "Reviews".
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-15 07:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLondon CR1 Interview any extras to bring?
London isn't interested in any proofs of your relationship. Extra copies of forms/documents sent to NVC is a good idea as backup.

AP isn't about your relationship. It's about security clearance and what you put on the I-157 that might kick in checks of additional databases.Those checks take extra time. AP is mostly when the interviewee was not born in the UK, especially those born in India or Pakistan. Or if you've made frequent trips to certain middle eastern nations. Or if your name (or your parents) is the same as known terrorists. Or if you have special skills in chemistry, weapons, bombs, etc. If you're an average British born, you likely will not experience delay.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 14 June 2011 - 07:38 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-14 19:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresE-mail/address to complain about embassy e-mailing/premum number
It's on the Embassy website "contact us" page. http://london.usemba...nformation.html

Premium Rate Service Inquiry Line
Customers who believe that they have incurred excessive call charges when using the Operator Assisted Information Service may call the Premium Rate Service Inquiry Line on 0845 270 0552*. The line is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 and 4:00 pm BST. You will be asked to leave your contact details and one of the Customer Service team will call you back within 24 - 48 hours.

*Calls from UK landlines are charged at a local rate; mobile network providers may charge more.


Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-20 07:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused by i-864 / i-864a

Haha, I'm still confused :P


Either way is okay and would probably do the job.

My post was just saying where a house member's income goes into a sponsor's form if you chose that route. I do agree that the co-sponsor should do his own complete I-864 in your situation, if your husband has no income and isn't even close to qualifying on his own.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-04-09 15:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused by i-864 / i-864a
On your husband's I-864:

Father is counted in household size on page 3, 21g
Father's income is reported on page 4, 24b

Father fills out I-864A which grants his permission to be included on husband's form and also shows he agrees to be liable for the immigrant.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 07 April 2011 - 06:48 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-04-07 18:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProblems with Tax Info for AOS

I am a student with an on campus job. Therefore, I have never made enough money to require filing my taxes. I obviously will have a joint sponsor for the AOS but what do I send in for MY tax information? All I have is a W-2, will that work? Thanks for all your help!


It's in the Instructions for Form I-864 <---Link

See page 8.Federal Income Tax Information. Paragraph 6 on that page.

Did you have any Federal tax held out of your paychecks? It would show up on the W2. If so, you can get that money back by filing a return.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-23 12:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE by Certain Time?

So, I've read on the forum a couple responses that state, "If you were to get an RFE for you're I-130 you would have gotten it by now." This makes me wonder, is there a time period where if you are going to get an RFE you'll get it then? Or is it, as I thought, you can get an RFE at any time before approval?


It works like this--somebody checks your forms briefly to see if they are signed,are current forms, the money is included, the check is correct. If basic application things are not right, they either send it back or seend a request for initial evidence. If you got that part right, it sits in a box for months. You might get a "touch" if they move it to a different shelf but nobody is actually looking at it. When an adjudicator finally picks your file up, that's when he goes through it for details. It gets approved on the spot or an RFE if he needs more information before he can approve. That's a generalization because some unique cases get held for months and months beyond normal processing. But a normal case that gets an RFE toward the end most likely would have gotten approval that day had the adjudicator not found a problem when he was going over it with a fine-tooth comb.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-02 15:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 visa - possible to get previous flight info?

Thankyou VERY much for that link, very informative and thorough, and i learnt a thing or two. I didnt know you could take NO purses in, I thought it was just no large ones. So all your allowed in is perhaps a document folder then? I never wear stuff with pockets so shall have to put my debit and credit card somewhere, maybe taped inside the folder or something?

Also in that they stated arrive no more than 30 mins, but ive heard people lately getting in 1 - 1.5 hour early and getting seen right at their designated time. I have a 9AM appointment too, and planned on queuing about 7:45, but may rethink if i wont be allowed in till 8?

I do really appreciate the info though.


I haven't heard anybody say they they were sent away for a purse. He wasn't there, so maybe he misunderstood. I went to my husband's interview with him. It was after they started all the stricter rules and the Gould's Pharmacy thing for leaving electricals. My handbag was was about 12x14x4 inches and stuffed full. It's my travel purse with many flaps and zippy sections. All the ladies had purses. People have taken in even small backpacks. Just check your phone at Gould's and anything like an MP3 player, headphones, jump drive, car key fob. Your purse will ride through the x-ray machine. If you wear a watch, it can be put in your purse to go through security, then you can put it back on. That's what they told me to do. They went down the line giving men plastic bags to empty their pockets and watches into for riding through the x-ray. Women can keep everything in their purse. I even saw cigarette lighters going through in the plastic bags.

It doesn't matter so much when your appointment is. People will start lining up before 7:30. If you didn't get in the door until 9:05, it wouldn't matter. If a guy with a 10:30 appointment got in line at 7:30, he would be called before you. They go in order of the ticket number sticker you get at the reception desk. The first in line gets the first interview, but the non-immigrant numbers are called much more frequently. I guess they have more people assigned to working with them since there are way more of them each day. When you see how many people are in that big room, you'll understand how busy the embassy is every day.

Have you watched this video? It's geared toward visitor or work visas because the example questions are different than you will be asked. But the lines, security booth, number stickers, windows, and courier desk are EXACTLY what you will do. Notice the size of the purses the ladies in line are carrying (in case you don't believe me.) :) http://www.youtube.c.../34/uzZOvF1EEXE

Edited by Nich-Nick, 06 July 2011 - 09:34 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-06 21:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 visa - possible to get previous flight info?

hehe ok thanks, i will relax a bit :D

Ive just heard f other UK filers getting ready for interview taking these. I initially wasnt going to, but have read of so many people planning to take these its made me worry :P


Well I've been reading London for 3+ years and everybody is going to do it "just in case" but it isn't something they care about. Here's a post of a recent interview where he specifically mentions the extra evidence he brought.

http://www.visajourn...35#entry4673835

There was a funny review a couple of years ago where the woman insisted he look at her scrapbook because she spent so much time making it. They just don't have time. The actual interview is about 3-5 minutes. And with the CR1 there is even less to look at because all your documents went to NVC and I supposed checked out there first. If the petition got approved by USCIS, then they figure they relationship was already proven during that step.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-06 19:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 visa - possible to get previous flight info?
Broken record here, but you're working yourself up over something you won't need.

I know often London doesnt ask for these

London NEVER asks for these. You would be the first. Relax, it's going to be easy.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-06 17:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHourly Wage for I-864 and Employment Letter
My suggestion--come up with an average number of hours you expect to be working in a week X $10/hr. Then estimate how many weeks in the year you will work.
[Weekly earnings] X [weeks worked] = estimated yearly income. Make sure your employer letter matches. He should say you work an average of ___ hours per week at a wage of $10 per hour. If you would hold off and get a few payslips to also show the $10 figure and as many hours as you estimate, that would bear out what you stated.

It is about your current income translated into a year. It's not about what you made last year or a hybrid figure ($9.50). Because your 2010 taxes won't reflect the raise, you will prove the higher figure with the letter and new payslips. If you think it's enough, send it without the co-sponsor. Have the co-sponsor's I-864, income proofs and proof of citizenship/LPR status all completed so if you get an RFE, you can have the other ready to submit immediately. Take it all to the interview too, to pull out if needed there. That shouldn't delay you very long but would save the co-sponsor from being on the hook for what could be a long, long time, even if you and the spouse ever parted. That's just what I think would be a considerate thing to do if you can pull off the support on your own.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 10 July 2011 - 04:40 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-10 16:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC and medical?
Try your medical exam questions in the UK forum because these replies from Morocco and China are of no help to you. Better to ask from a pool of people who have done CR1 through London.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-17 08:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProcessing times once interview is approved...
I would write a letter to the IV unit of the embassy and ask if they could possibly move your interview to an earlier date. Make it all soppy about wanting to meet you sailor when he arrives home. Details of his service, deployment, etc. Surely you can stir their patriotism so they will help you out. Mention you could take a short notice cancellation spot (if you can go on short notice.) Include your email address.

I suggest letter because it should get to somebody that can do something about it. The phone people aren't always willing to give out the email code, but you could try that.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-14 10:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresName Change AND address change.. late :(
The AR-11 is filed to change her address. I wouldn't worry too much that you are late.
The I-865 is for sponsors (on the Affidavit of Support)if they move. Is that you?

The I-90 is to get a new greencard with her name change. Did you read the part about the $450 fee?
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-19 07:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Question: Dual Nationalities, potential name differences

Here's my question: Do we need to do anything on the I-130 or the G-325A that shows her alternative spellings of her first name? Will we need to do anything in regards to later documents such as the 864 or 230 for the NVC process?

Thanks for your help.


Many forms have a box for "other names used". I would list the full other name, not just the other first name. If someone is married, they normally apply in their married last name and use that box to report their maiden name. If she has two maiden names used because of spellings, then list both.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-23 13:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC PHONE NUMBER?

Ok so i wanna call NVC an bug the ####### out them daily till i get my case number etc so does anyone have it? it wasnt on the NOA2 hardcopy


USCIS couldn't put it on the NOA2 because it's the Dept of State that assigns a new number at the NVC. They are two separate government departments. You are no longer with USCIS.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-29 23:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresParental Permission at interview
I remember somebody from this year who went and told them she had no contact with the father and they said no problem and brought out a form/affidavit for her to sign that said there were no custody cases pending, no lawsuits against her over the child...and things like that. And that's all there was to it. Perhaps telling them how he's blackmailing you to get out of child support would convince them to allow you to file such an affidavit--especially for a 17 year old. Just throwing that out there.

Others have brought notarized letters giving permission or copies of court papers showing they had full custody.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 03 August 2011 - 02:46 AM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-03 02:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAOS NVC Tax say single

I filed single after I got married. It was easier and I had no problems whatsoever.


You could have a problem with the IRS. The correct filing is "married filing separately" in your case if you were married in 2010 and did not want to do a joint tax return. But that's another topic,

Edited by Nich-Nick, 03 August 2011 - 02:55 AM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-03 02:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI think I really screwed up :(
Probably fine. The SSN is the same.

One year of tax info is all that's needed. If the two before were too low, then they don't help your case much. Best to send three only if they are all wowie years as indicated in the instructions. I just added that for other people. You can't undo yours but it will be okay. If not, an RFE will give you an opportunity to fix it. Not a huge deal.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-13 11:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEvidence of Ongoing Income for I-864?

My father-in-law has agreed to co-sponsor. He is retired. What sort of evidence should he provide of ongoing income since he is retired?


Tax return or transcripts.

If he gets social security, they send a benefits letter yearly stating the amount he will get in the upcoming year. If he gets a pension the company could issue him a letter saying how much he gets and for how long...(rest of his life??) Those take the place of an employer letter.

Pension income is also reported yearly on a form 1099R for filing taxes. It's like a W2, but only employees/wage earners get W2s.

Assets work too if he has a big savings or investment account. Statements from banker or broker can prove enough funds, even if you don't get a monthly check.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-24 08:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTatty passport

Hubby washed his trousers with my passport in the pocket last year, it came out all rippled along the pages and some of the stamps went a bit bleedy. The bio page is totally fine, as is the page with my photo and details, no peeling pages coming apart or anything, it just looks a little... fluffy is probably the best way to describe it.

It's got me through Mexico, Ireland and UK border fine, but do you think they'll be stricter at interview? What's the rule on a washed passport? It's still got ages until it expires, and I'm pretty broke so I'd rather not get a new one if I have to. In fact, I'd rather risk adding a couple of weeks onto my timeline if they're not happy with it than fork out ahead of time.

What do you guys think?


I remember Rob washed his passport and London didn't accept it in that condition. He was approved pending a new passport. The visa was in hand exactly one month after the interview date. See their timeline.

Thread-- http://www.visajourn...in-the-laundry/
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-09-25 20:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCourier Expedite?

I had read somewhere that after your interview, when you go to pay the courier to have your passport mailed back to you, you can pay to have it sent faster than "standard shipping". Is this true? Does anyone know the options? Thanks in advance!


Not faster, just earlier in the day. Like if you had to go to work and wanted it delivered by 8 am, you can pay a premium fee instead of waiting all day. It's all the same day.
Example:
£14.80 for anytime
£36.30 before 8am

Details http://www.thedx.co....portdeliveries/
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-10-02 17:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresphotos for interview, can i print them onto paper?

ok so my wife wont trust, and to be frank it wouldnt get here in time, me with her SD card, but i have tons an tons of photos stored on my computer, now i dont have a kodak machine but do have a printer, can i just print the fotos onto normal paper an use them for my interview? i have a few ''normal'' photos also


London will not look at any photos or evidence of your relationship. Save time and skip it. There are reviews of interviews at London on VJ--hundreds of them. Try reading them. Review the London website. There's a lot of information there if you'll click the links and read.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-10-05 22:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVaccinations

Why dont fiances have to get vaccinations? It makes no sence to me.


Fiance visas are non-immigrant visas good for 90 days entry to the US. If they want a greencard they have to marry and adjust status from K1 visa holder to permanent resident ($1070). That's when they have to have their vaccinations complete or they will not get the greencard. A CR1 spouse visa has the whole greencard process done before they enter the US, so the vaccinations have to be done before they get the visa.

Everybody has to get vaccinations to get a greencard, but the K1s can do it after they enter the US.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-10-10 01:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProof of citizenship for co sponsor

And is a photocopy of the birth certificate enough for the co sponsor? or do I need the certified/original birth certificate.


I had not read anything about this. I have sent my co sponsors I 864 form and tax return for the recent year.


Always read the full instructions before filling out forms and you will learn a lot. See page 6 of the instructions http://www.uscis.gov.../i-864instr.pdf
under 19. Citizenship/Residency.. Some of your answers are there.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 12 October 2011 - 09:10 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-10-12 21:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReceiving Visa after London Interview

I heard there is an option to courier it to you, but I'm not sure how this works or how it affects the wait.



I have read that unless you ask for a speedy method they just send it out regular.


If you didn't check out the links on the left hand column of the London website, then you are missing information they are giving you. This one called Courier Service includes this information:

Nonimmigant and Immigrant visa applicant who attend the Embassy in person for an interview with a consular officer will have their passports returned to them by DX Secure;
there is no other method of delivery available.


On that same page in the right column is a link to the Courier's website where you can find the full fee schedule for passport delivery. There is no option for faster delivery meaning days earlier. For example, if your passport was scheduled for delivery on Friday, paying the £14.80 standard plus extra £21.50 premium fee, will get it to you by 8 AM on Friday, not Wed. or Thurs.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-10-28 00:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDelay on issue of medical report

Assuming there is nothing (I have no symptoms and I am well), should I just take the scan report and explain that they should have the report from the clinic in a couple of days? Will they hold on to my passport and return it once they get the report? If not, what will happen? Has anyone had a similar experience? I am hoping to leave for the US early December so there is no mad panic to get my visa back but I am frustrated at not being able to plan and I can't even get excited about the interview at the moment.


Taking your radiology report to the embassy won't really serve a purpose. They will hold your passport if the visa medical results are expected shortly. Even if showed latent TB, it just means your report, at worse, may say you need follow-up in the US. It wouldn't prevent your visa.

Planning ahead is hard. You aren't guaranteed that your case will get looked at the day the medical arrives. It could sit on somebody's desk or in the mail room for a bit. So don't go purchasing plane tickets you can't change.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-01 08:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 4

Thank-you, yup I have defiantly not received this, Good Luck for Tuesday, Nearly there!!!


If you don't get the letter with the appointment date/time on it, the guy at the head of the line will have a list of the day's appointments. He'll find you on the list and let you in.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-05 18:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions asked at interview

What do people normally get asked at interview in London? I've read the reviews and got some idea, I'm worried that they're going to catch me out with stuff about him - I last saw him in Feb and I'm sure there's things I've forgotten :(

I'm trying not to think of it as a big deal, but it really really is - those 3 mins are the gateway to seeing him again and this petrifies me!!


London is not an embassy that will try to trick you.

Do you know his name and where he works? Do you know when you got married? How about where you will be living? Okay, you pass. Done. It's just a little chat.....relax.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-06 16:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDont even know where to start!!
I'm reading this as somebody who wants to live in the UK and get a visa for her USC husband to permanently move to the UK. So it's not really a K1 visa topic. OP, you could try for a B1 tourist visa to allow you more than 90 days in the US while you sort out his mess in the UK. But most of us on here have had to go through a period of separation. That's just how it is marrying somebody from another country.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-14 18:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAmerican Citizen married to British Citizen in the Middle East

If you have been residing in the UK for 6+ months (you will have had to be residing on a long-term stay visa, tourist visa extensions don't count), then that notice does not apply to you. As Nich-Nick explained to you, there is a USCIS office in London and you can file your petition there, you don't have to mail it to Chicago. I disagree with the advice Nich-Nick gave about "mailing it to Chicago anyway." If you qualify to file your petition at the USCIS office in the UK, then you should do so as it will take less time for it to be processed; however, where you file is your call.


She doesn't have residency in the UK. She and her UK husband are resident in the middle east and have been for 3 years. I don't think she qualifies for DCF London because she only visits there.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-15 15:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAmerican Citizen married to British Citizen in the Middle East

Can you explain what this means...

Notice: Effective August 15, 2011, petitioners residing outside the United States will no longer be able to routinely file Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. embassies and consulates. Petitioners residing overseas in countries where USCIS does not have a public counter presence will be required to file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. As part of this change, U.S. embassies and consulates will only be able to accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances.

Does that mean I have to mail everything to Chicago but like, wait for an interview here?


Yes, I can kinda explain. Americans who lived in a foreign country could file their I-130 petition directly at the US embassy in that country and it was often faster than waiting in line with everyone filing through USCIS Chicago Lockbox and waiting on approval from one of the US service centers. It often required a certain period of legal residence (by the US citizen) in that country to qualify...like maybe 6 months. It is called Direct Consular Filing (DCF).

So some background info here: USCIS processes petitions. They hand off the approved petition to the Dept of State via the National Visa Center (NVC). It is the Dept of State that issues visas. DOS is over embassies. So once a petition is sent to NVC, it's no longer with USCIS, but with a totally different government entity, the Dept of State. Are you keeping up??
Review--
petition approval > USCIS (part of Dept of Homeland Security)
visa approval > Embassy (part of Dept of State)


Well when people applied directly to a consulate they were kinda by-passing USCIS in some cases. I know London has a USCIS office inside the embassy. It's like a little USCIS island in the middle of Dept of State/Embassy world. What that notice is saying is, if the consulate in your present country abroad doesn't have it's own "USCIS island" (formally called in the notice a public counter presence, then you can't file at that embassy, but must mail it to the US Chicago Lockbox. Not applying to you, but as an example, it doesn't affect Americans living in the UK because London embassy has a USCIS office. I don't know where you are living or if they even have a US embassy that allowed DCF, much less a formal USCIS office housed there, or if you have legal residence established there to qualify for DCF. So to make things simpler so you don't implode, I would say mail your petition to the Chicago Lockbox.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 13 November 2011 - 04:04 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-13 16:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAmerican Citizen married to British Citizen in the Middle East

I was informed that adjustment of status is illegal if he does it within the US...I am completely overwhelmed at this time!


It's about intent. Planning in advance, packing up all your belongings, and entering the US as a tourist with the intention of not leaving is considered fraudulent. It's using a tourist entry/visa waiver with the intention to immigrate, not just go to Disneyland or visit grandma and leave before 90 days. People do adjust status from visa waiver when they have a "sudden change of plans" they weren't planning in advance. If it should be denied for some reason, there is no appeal because it was from VWP. While waiting on a decision he would get in that overstay area where his 90 days was up but he hadn't been approved yet. He should not work or leave the US for the number of months it would take for his application to be approved or denied. If you want to do the strictly up and up path to lawful immigration, then the CR1 is for you. If you have a high risk tolerance, the adjusting from VWP could work out nicely.

Your other questions--The first part of the process is you filing a petition and awaiting months for approval, second part is processing at the National Visa Center (NVC), third part is interview at an embassy. He would need to be in the country of the embassy where you indicate on your initial petition you will be processing abroad. That's where the file will go after NVC. You'll need to study timelines and figure out if you will be in the UK around that time or the middle east or if it matters to you.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 13 November 2011 - 02:31 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-11-13 14:29:00