*sigh* This is a nightmare!

[Susan Taylor 0]

Hey all, long-time lurker, first time poster.

I'm from England and my husband is an American in the US airforce. He's based in England and that's how we met. We married on the 27th June and were originally told his time in England was going to be extended until April 2011.. But we were told today there's only a 50% chance that this'll happen. The other 50% means he'll be PCSing (Permanent Change of Station) to South Carolina THIS SEPTEMBER! The frustrating thing is we will not be 100% sure about this until it's time for him to go

So you can imagine the knot that formed in my stomach the second he told me this today. It's the middle of July, if he *is* PCSing that means I've got LESS than two months to get a visa sorted. This, as you will all know, is bloody impossible. The only other thing is, what if I start the process and he DOES get extended? Can I just get the visa process.. cancelled/postponed until we do need it?

*sigh*

I need a hug, alcohol and some chocolate. I do not want to be stuck in England without my husband and he doesn't want to be stuck in South Carolina without me

So please, what should I do? Shall I at least start the process now? Can I cancel it if he does get extended here?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

You can begin applying for DCF through London. and check the time lines for London (I've heard they are pretty fast once you have all your documents).

If your husband remains in his current post; there is not an extension per se; but you can always apply again later

[Susan Taylor 0]

I've read the guidelines, just looking for advice as to whether or not I'd get "in trouble" if we start the visa process and then cancel it. Or if it'd result in us being hassled next time we do it y'know?

I am going to start this process ASAP, but I still doubt we'd get the visa in time IF he does PCS to SC

[tulum 0]

Hey all, long-time lurker, first time poster.

I'm from England and my husband is an American in the US airforce. He's based in England and that's how we met. We married on the 27th June and were originally told his time in England was going to be extended until April 2011.. But we were told today there's only a 50% chance that this'll happen. The other 50% means he'll be PCSing (Permanent Change of Station) to South Carolina THIS SEPTEMBER! The frustrating thing is we will not be 100% sure about this until it's time for him to go

So you can imagine the knot that formed in my stomach the second he told me this today. It's the middle of July, if he *is* PCSing that means I've got LESS than two months to get a visa sorted. This, as you will all know, is bloody impossible. The only other thing is, what if I start the process and he DOES get extended? Can I just get the visa process.. cancelled/postponed until we do need it?

*sigh*

I need a hug, alcohol and some chocolate. I do not want to be stuck in England without my husband and he doesn't want to be stuck in South Carolina without me

So please, what should I do? Shall I at least start the process now? Can I cancel it if he does get extended here?

isnt this a no brainer? sooner or later you will need the visa right? why not just go ahead and get it and whether he is PCSing or not, or whenever he does- cuz eventually he will- you will have it. why wait again til you only have 2 months to scramble to get it and then have to stay behind without your man? hate to say it but ...."Duh"

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I've read the guidelines, just looking for advice as to whether or not I'd get "in trouble" if we start the visa process and then cancel it. Or if it'd result in us being hassled next time we do it y'know?

I am going to start this process ASAP, but I still doubt we'd get the visa in time IF he does PCS to SC

Oh no, no trouble at all I reckon.

I've heard London is really, really damn fast. Do you have everything ready? Like all the papers you will need?

[milimelo 4,544]

And FYI as he is in the military, only needs 100% of poverty level to prove, not the usual 125%. You can get all sorted out rather easily, especially since you can do DCF. Maybe even his possible PCSing could speed things along.

[Susan Taylor 0]

isnt this a no brainer? sooner or later you will need the visa right? why not just go ahead and get it and whether he is PCSing or not, or whenever he does- cuz eventually he will- you will have it. why wait again til you only have 2 months to scramble to get it and then have to stay behind without your man? hate to say it but ...."Duh"

Duh? Really? Was that neccesary?

This is not a "no brainer" as there is a time limit of 6 months on the visa if we do go ahead with this. So if we get it now I've got 6 months to move to America, in which case he'd still be over here for another year and a bit =/

And FYI as he is in the military, only needs 100% of poverty level to prove, not the usual 125%. You can get all sorted out rather easily, especially since you can do DCF. Maybe even his possible PCSing could speed things along.

I didn't know about the poverty level being decreased for military members, thank you :]

And he is going to the passport office on base tomorrow morning to see if they can help at all with this.

Oh no, no trouble at all I reckon.

I've heard London is really, really damn fast. Do you have everything ready? Like all the papers you will need?

I've checked out what we need and we ticked 99% on the list. We need to get new passport photos to send with the application.

Edited July 20, 2009 by Susan Taylor

[milimelo 4,544]

Susan,

what could happen is that you get the visa and he does not PCS. In which case, go activate the visa stay for two weeks, then return to Britain. He should be able to put you on his orders which would legally still have you as residing in the US. Then if he is still deployed overseas you could even do the quick naturalization...

Just a thought...

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

You won't have any trouble if you let the visa expire or cancel the process half way through, especially considering the circumstances. The embassies are very understanding when it comes to military personal. You will probably have to pay al the fees agfain though.

[Susan Taylor 0]

Susan,

what could happen is that you get the visa and he does not PCS. In which case, go activate the visa stay for two weeks, then return to Britain. He should be able to put you on his orders which would legally still have you as residing in the US. Then if he is still deployed overseas you could even do the quick naturalization...

Just a thought...

I'm not fully read up on the whole "Once you've got the visa and enter the US" process just yet. Surely it'd be breaking the rules if I stay there for two weeks & have him put me on his orders as residing in the US if I'm.. not?

This is all one big nightmare, but thank you for really trying to help, I do appreciate it.

[milimelo 4,544]

Susan,

what could happen is that you get the visa and he does not PCS. In which case, go activate the visa stay for two weeks, then return to Britain. He should be able to put you on his orders which would legally still have you as residing in the US. Then if he is still deployed overseas you could even do the quick naturalization...

Just a thought...

I'm not fully read up on the whole "Once you've got the visa and enter the US" process just yet. Surely it'd be breaking the rules if I stay there for two weeks & have him put me on his orders as residing in the US if I'm.. not?

This is all one big nightmare, but thank you for really trying to help, I do appreciate it.

Nothing illegal about that - when a soldier deploys his family members are sometimes allowed to come with him. As the US bases are considered US soil, it counts as being in the country. There are a number of Vj members who came on a K-1 or CR-1 visa, completed their AOS or gotten the GC and went with their spouse on deployment - if they are on the orders.

[Susan Taylor 0]

I also have another question - A process I had to go through when getting permission from the US Military to marry my husband meant I had to have a full medical. Blood work, TB test, full medical and mental exam too. I passed and someone mentioned that this means I will not have to do this process for my visa as all I need to do is bring my new medical notes with me (or include them in a pack or however it works?) so I wont have to have the required medical (or pay for it either) that is needed for this.

So how long would this shorten the process by? A lot? A little? I imagine getting the appointment and the results would take a while?

[txladykat 1]

A couple things, if you get the visa now, you can always apply for extensions if you he doesn't get transferred before the 6 months. Saves you having to reapply, pay the fees, and the whole gambit again.

I don't know about the previous medical being applicable as (1) the physician has to be one that is appointed by the US embassy, and (2) there is specific paperwork that has to be completed by the physician. The medical does not really delay anything. In fact, you can go to the USCIS website and find out which physicians are authorized by the embassy and get your exam done tomorrow if you want. Those physicians will have the necessary paperwork the embassy requires. you will also have to have chest x-rays done, which you carry with you and turn into immigration when you enter into the US.

[Susan Taylor 0]

Where about on the USCIS website would the list be?

Edited July 21, 2009 by Susan Taylor

[Susan Taylor 0]

My husband is speaking to the military passport office tomorrow about this. I was wondering if someone here could have a look at our completed I-130 form tomorrow once we've finished it? I really want to make sure I get this right as I really can't risk screwing something up