Done and Dusted.

[PaulandHelen 0]

First off, we are kind of a unique case full stop. So with that in mind, what has worked for us may or may not work for you. I for one do not live in the United States but in the United Kingdom but still filed for the CR-1 visa to bring my wife back with me. Long story short, we met when I was in Iraq back in 2009 and I had to fly back and forth from Fort. Bragg to the U.K. over the course of two years for our relationship to work. When I was still in the service, I filed for a fiance visa to move to the U.K. and been here ever since. Let's put it this way, moving to the U.K. on this visa is easier, but oh my god is it expensive.

Well, due to the fact there is nothing in England for me and it is hard to advance myself and I simply cannot afford to live here. The cost of living do not reflect on the wages in short, I dare anyone to tell me otherwise. Not to mention Veterans in the states are treated in an entirely different way with no down payments for mortgages, job preference, college, ect.

So we filed the I-130 back in October for us to be in the states together. Double checked the packet and sent it to the Chicago Lockbox. We got back the NOA1 within a week, and no sooner had I recieved that we checked the online case checker thing and we had our petition approved. From date received to petition approved, around seventeen days.

Not too long after, we got the NVC sending us emails regarding sending off DS-3032(Choice of Agent), DS-230 (Biometric, Statement and Oath), and the I-864(Affid. Of Support).

We sent those off and we got another email regarding their need for another birth certificate and marriage certificate. Long story short ladies and gentleman, just suck it up and order a certified copy of the birth certificate(both parents names on the certificate). If you have the opportunity, just go on and ask your vicar or whomever for an original copy of your marriage certifcate. This will save you a minor headache. Just due to the fact that it has to be certified from a goverment body. You do that, you'll thank me in the long run.

So I called the NVC about twice a week for an update and after I sent then an RFE(birth and marriage certificate) they said case complete. Nice one.

Got my wife's interview date a short time later and so we started booking time off work for it.

Obviously before the interview, you have to knock out the medical at Knightsbridge. This is just a waiting game for the most part. Check in, sit down and basically play musical chairs with everyone. One person get's up to knock out their portion of the medical, they come back and sit down to wait for the next phase. A little hint, if any of you are going to travel to London, get the medical, and travel back the same day like we did, it pays to check in really early. We came around two hours early, as soon as we got off the train, and checked in. She offered an earlier appointment, earlier appointment means more time to relax afterwards in my mind. Not saying they will, but they did for us.

So we booked off three days for the interview at the Embassey. Our appointment was for 0800. You'll see people standing around roughly about 7:15, I was. There are two seperate standing points. One is in front of the security booth, and the other is about twenty feet away towards the park. You will see a standing sign that says have you payment letter and appointment letter out and ready. STAND THERE. Ha, we did. Everyone else went to the one next to the booth and all had to be moved to behind us. It's two stages. One is checking you're supposed to be there, the other is security, only a few at a time. We went from I think fifteeth in line to second in a flash.

Now there were some documents they asked for when we checked our paperwork at the first booth, we just showed them the appointment letter and were let through. Not sure what they were on about when it came to payment sheet. Guess those are other visas. Not sure.

It truly is first come first serve. So once you enter there is a lady at the desk. She literally according to your visa type issues a number. Obiously visitor visas will go first. We saw I swear forty people jumping up and going to the windows, even though we were second in line. But these are very quick. They are there for no longer than five minutes, and there are a lot of windows. We got called up and went to our window. Guy looks through your packet very quickly and is basically a check the box guy. THIS IS NOT YOUR INTERVIEW. He is just checking stuff. That letter you receive from the NVC about documents to bring, that is what they want. Throw in some updated financial paperwork and pay stubs from both of you, we handed those over. But offered them due to our situation:

They told me I would need a Co-Sponsor (No, not the NVC, or anyone else, the check-the-box guy). My stomach literally fell out my A*&. After all this. Remember what I said, this guy doesn't know you from Adam. He picks up your packet and skims through it. I wrote a long letter to the NVC regarding why I didn't need a Co-Sponsor. Due primarily that I am a Disabled Veteran from my tours in the middle east and I pull in enough from disability. He said well, the American fellow has the final say. So we sat down and waited for our number to be called again. This is your interview. Guy was on point. Pretty understanding. Told him my situation and included my Veterans Affairs documents. The man checked through my documents, had a The offocer had a little chat with his supervisor regarding my financial stability. Gave me the thumbs up and asked me and my wife how we met yadda yadda yadda. Nonchalantly he said her visa was approved. I almost didn't catch it. Told him thank you and I swear I meant it more than anything.

We went to the DX Courier service desk and had our address ready for the shipping of her visa. She emphasizes to open the package but repeated several times do not open your case file. Just bring it with you to your port of entry. Guess they have issues with folks opening them up.

That's it.

Time entered Embassey, 0800, time left embassey with approval 0900. One hour, Be early guys.

Any questions anyone might have if your from the U.K. going to the U.S.A I'll do my best to put my input in.

Thank you all from this website for helping us through this, and we will do our best to help out others.

-Paul and Helen

xxxx

[Ryan H 3,810]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to UK regional forum.

[X Factor 1,111]

ConGraTuLaTions

[Holly2234 66]

Congrats thats great news and VERY quick!

My husband lives in the UK with me at the moment (applied for the IR-1/CR-1 too recently) and i am right with you on the affordability. We just cant make it work here. We have tried for over a year and have also found there is nothing for us. If anything, all that has happened has reinforced the reasons we had to go!

Wise move and i hope things work out well for you both across the pond

[PaulandHelen 0]

Nice one Holly. Refreshing to see people in similar situations. Wish you both the best during your process.

P.S. They sell PG Tips at Wal-Mart. Ha.

[Holly2234 66]

Thanks

Thanks for the tip (no pun intended!) Ill be happy once i find salad cream! I hear Hannafords is the place to go for that

[tru_loves_journey 117]

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Nice one Holly. Refreshing to see people in similar situations. Wish you both the best during your process.

P.S. They sell PG Tips at Wal-Mart. Ha.

They probably sell health insurance too.

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations,

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

Thanks

Thanks for the tip (no pun intended!) Ill be happy once i find salad cream! I hear Hannafords is the place to go for that

They sell Salad Cream in Walmart too!

[Holly2234 66]

They sell Salad Cream in Walmart too!

I never found it at the one near us! Hopefully its a recent thing and not something they just dont stock in ours.

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

I never found it at the one near us! Hopefully its a recent thing and not something they just dont stock in ours.

My bad. It's Publix, not Walmart, sorry

I haven't seen any British food stuff in our Walmart.

[Holly2234 66]

There isnt one of those in New York at all. Ill have to start eating ketchup in my sandwiches instead of salad cream

[PaulandHelen 0]

There isnt one of those in New York at all. Ill have to start eating ketchup in my sandwiches instead of salad cream

Ranch Dressing is outstanding on sandwiches.

[Holly2234 66]

Ill have to give it a try