Question about DCF for husband and two step children

[Hokie97 5]

Hi. I am currently living in the UK (since March 09) with my husband and his two children. We are planning on getting my citizenship here, and move to the States in about four years. I realize that a lot can change between now and then, but I need to start saving money now for all the fees and everything associated with it.

So, my first question is, do you pay the fee for both my husband and the children, or just my husband when we file? The children will be around 14 and 16 at the time of filing.

A little history, if it helps.. my husband is a widow, so has full custody of the children. They will still be minor children at the time of filing and moving. Also, we have looking into my adopting them after a year (the waiting period here), so then they would be "my children" legally. I did not know if that made a difference in anything. I have read some mixed information about whether adopted children have a right to become automatic US Citizens. Step children have different rules, from what I have gathered from several different websites.

Anyway, and advice or direction you can lead me will be greatly appreciated!

Also, if this needs to be in another area, please feel free to move it. Since it will be a DCF, I put it here. Thanks.

-Jenny

[veronicavonn 7]

There is a fee for each petition that you file. You will essentially be filing a petition for three people, therefore, there will be the fee for each petition.

I believe the prices vary depending on where you file your petition from. I will be filing mine in Frankfurt, Germany in the near future, and the fee for the petition is $355 each. I also have two step-children, therefore, $355 x 3 petitions = $1065 (plus some other fees like, photos, etc.)

You should also factor in the price of 4 one-way airline tickets. That is sure to up the price anywhere from $2-$3k.

EDIT: Don't forget that the prices could fluctuate up or down over the next four years..

Edited July 29, 2009 by veronicavonn

[kaffy 2]

Not only is there a I-130 petition fee but there is also an immigrant visa fee you also need to pay which is about $400/per person

Not to mention fees for the medical and travel expenses incurred to/from the interview, etc etc

[Dakine 26]

"We are planning on getting my citizenship here,"

How can you get your US citizenship living in Britian?

[Hokie97 5]

Veronica, thank you so much. I am glad that I thought to ask. It is so expensive. I wish sometimes I could be more carefree, but there is always one thing or another (money, savings, timelines) playing in my mind. I estimated what I will need to save per month, then rounded up, which will HOPEFULLY cover the cost if it rises over the next few years.

Kaffy, I did not know about that separate immigration visa fee. I will have to look into that, thank you. The travel fee, is that the fee to the Embassy in London? I assume all four of us have to go to that. What are the medical expenses?

Edited July 29, 2009 by Hokie97

[kaffy 2]

"We are planning on getting my citizenship here,"

How can you get your US citizenship living in Britian?

I think she means her BRITISH citizenship

[kaffy 2]

The travel fee, is that the fee to the Embassy in London? I assume all four of us have to go to that. What are the medical expenses?

Yes, you (well, the intending immigrants) have to travel to London for the medical & visa interview.

Medical expenses are the fees you have to pay for the medical exam. I believe it is around the 200 pound mark (but don't quote me on that)

All together I think you will be looking at close to US1000 per person ($355 I-130 fee + $400 DS-230 fee + fees for medical exam + travel expenses) so it's good you are planning ahead

[Hokie97 5]

"We are planning on getting my citizenship here,"

How can you get your US citizenship living in Britian?

I think she means her BRITISH citizenship

Yes, I did mean British citizenship. Since we'll be here long enough for it to be possible, it seemed the best/safest route to go, because you never know what will happen in the future, and I don't want to have to go through the whole spouse visa process again.

[Hokie97 5]

The travel fee, is that the fee to the Embassy in London? I assume all four of us have to go to that. What are the medical expenses?

Yes, you (well, the intending immigrants) have to travel to London for the medical & visa interview.

Medical expenses are the fees you have to pay for the medical exam. I believe it is around the 200 pound mark (but don't quote me on that)

All together I think you will be looking at close to US1000 per person ($355 I-130 fee + $400 DS-230 fee + fees for medical exam + travel expenses) so it's good you are planning ahead

Wow. This has been eye-opening. I had been looking in what I thought were the right places online, but apparently not. The upside, I suppose is that after 4+ years of marriage we should not have to work too hard to "prove" we are a real couple like we did to get me here in the UK.

Thank you again for your quick response.

[txladykat 1]

1,000 is an accurate guess

Application Fee: 355

Medical: 300

Visa Fee: 400

Total: 1055 per person

And DONT buy a one way ticket! The cost sooo much more. Just buy round trip and cancel your return end If you fly through Continental they will actually let you use the canceled portion of your ticket toward a future flight

[Hokie97 5]

1,000 is an accurate guess

Application Fee: 355

Medical: 300

Visa Fee: 400

Total: 1055 per person

And DONT buy a one way ticket! The cost sooo much more. Just buy round trip and cancel your return end If you fly through Continental they will actually let you use the canceled portion of your ticket toward a future flight

I've made a note. Will definitely check out Continental when the time comes. Thanks!