I 130, next steps, what to expect

[baylily 0]

Sigh, It feels like just the other day I was posting on the UK Yankee forum for help doing this in the other direction!

I moved back to the States for a better job, and we filed out I 130 in November. According to the website, our petetion should be processed very soon (only one day away from when we submitted). IF it's approved, what are the next steps? I realize that this is a two step process, but it's not quite clear to be on the embassy website what to expect.

Questions: Will there be an interview? (I'm trying to compare my experience with my UK spousal visa to this process, and there was no interview...)

If an interview, will it be held in the UK? I'm currently in the US, and my husband is on a tourist visa (naughty, I know...), so I presume we would need to travel back to the consulate in the UK as this is where we filed from.

How much longer after the I 130 is approved till we actually get the visa (presuming everything is in order)? Obviously, he will have to leave after the 3 month tourist visa is up, and will not likely be able to return as we've done this once already this year.

I wish there was some sort of mutually assured communication between the two consulates i.e. we gave her a spousal visa for our country, now you issue him a spousal visa for your country.

Any help, timelines would be very appreciated.

[Shermeen&Adam 0]

Oh I wish there was an agreement! It was so straightforward when my husband moved to the UK, a very quick process.

So I'm assuming you guys are DCF?

There will be an interview unlike when USC move to the UK but only the UKC need attend, if you're not able to travel with your husband, no problem.

Make sure you have all your documents ready; Police cert. Long form birth cert. Vaccination records. Completed I-864. I think that's everything but I can't remember.

Next step will be receiving your case number, booking the medical and then the interview.

Good luck, hope you're approved soon! xx

[YuAndDan 153]

1) YES, there WILL be an interview, this will take place at the London embassy, ALL immigrants get interviewed.

2) Where was the I-130 filed?? London, or mailed to Chicago in the USA? If Chicago, the next steps are covered here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/nvc/nvc_1335.html

3) Depends on where the I-130 was filed...

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=104553

[baylily 0]

Oh I wish there was an agreement! It was so straightforward when my husband moved to the UK, a very quick process.

So I'm assuming you guys are DCF?

There will be an interview unlike when USC move to the UK but only the UKC need attend, if you're not able to travel with your husband, no problem.

Make sure you have all your documents ready; Police cert. Long form birth cert. Vaccination records. Completed I-864. I think that's everything but I can't remember.

Next step will be receiving your case number, booking the medical and then the interview.

Good luck, hope you're approved soon! xx

Sorry, what is "DCF"?

Great news Re: interview! Thanks for that info, I think i'll let him do that one on his own!

Do you know what the chances of a hold up because of a criminal record? Silly boy got into a bar fight when he was 20 (15 years ago), and got charged with actual bodily harm (a broken nose for the other guy, eep!). We have the copy of the police record, but just wondering if this would sting us in the process?

Thanks again!

[baylily 0]

1) YES, there WILL be an interview, this will take place at the London embassy, ALL immigrants get interviewed.

2) Where was the I-130 filed?? London, or mailed to Chicago in the USA? If Chicago, the next steps are covered here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/nvc/nvc_1335.html

3) Depends on where the I-130 was filed...

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=104553

We filed in London, as I believe we were told the processing times would be faster if we filed outside of the US.

Anyone know what the interview questions are like? We've been married for 2 years, not sure if he knows the color of my toothbrush or shoe size.

[uklover 1]

I feel your frustration baylily!

I am a dual citizen, and to move over to the UK to be with my fiance is just a matter of flying over...then we can be together without waiting, but we decided to take the US fiance visa route and HATE this time apart! We are doing this long and unbearable process for my daughter who cannot move to the UK. Before filing for the fiance visa, there were plans for us to move to the UK, so UK Yankee was so helpful....then to have plans squashed.

I wish you luck in this long process (I-130)!

Edited April 4, 2011 by uklover

[Shermeen&Adam 0]

Sorry, what is "DCF"?

Great news Re: interview! Thanks for that info, I think i'll let him do that one on his own!

Do you know what the chances of a hold up because of a criminal record? Silly boy got into a bar fight when he was 20 (15 years ago), and got charged with actual bodily harm (a broken nose for the other guy, eep!). We have the copy of the police record, but just wondering if this would sting us in the process?

Thanks again!

DCF = Direct Consular Filing. What happens nexts depends on whether the I-130 was filed in London or the US. I assume, since you've been living in the UK on your spousal visa, then you filed in London?

I don't know what they look for in regards to the police certificate, perhaps have a search on the forums to see if anyone else has an experience of filing with a criminal record. He needs to apply for a police certificate, £35 for one copy. I recommend getting two (just in case) for only £5 more. Go here to get the information. And he'll need to take a photocopy for the medical.

I can't say for sure but it was a long time ago so it might not matter too much...do some research.

The interview isn't as intense as one would imagine. From what I've read its more of a conversation about when and how you met. At the top of the page there is a reviews section, you can read others interview experiences. Be sure to look for people doing CR1/IR1.

How long were you living in England for and why did you guys choose to move stateside?

My husband came over here in 09 but didn't like it. He had a tough time getting a job and got assulted. We eventually reached our limit. So after two years, we decided that we would give life of there a chance. Mind you, if I don't like the US, I don't know where we'll end up! lol! xx

[Shermeen&Adam 0]

I feel your frustration baylily!

I am a dual citizen, and to move over to the UK to be with my fiance is just a matter of flying over...then we can be together without waiting, but we decided to take the US fiance visa route and HATE this time apart! We are doing this long and unbearable process for my daughter who cannot move to the UK. Before filing for the fiance visa, there were plans for us to move to the UK, so UK Yankee was so helpful....then to have plans squashed.

I wish you luck in this long process (I-130)!

Are you expecting to wait much longer? I really hate being apart from my husband, even though we did long distance for 5 years before we got married, going back to it now is horrible. Not to mention the fact that we'll be missing our wedding anniversay which is later this month. It's nice to know that there are people online who know exactly what you're going through.

What was your RFE for?

Good luck in the process xx

[uklover 1]

Are you expecting to wait much longer? I really hate being apart from my husband, even though we did long distance for 5 years before we got married, going back to it now is horrible. Not to mention the fact that we'll be missing our wedding anniversay which is later this month. It's nice to know that there are people online who know exactly what you're going through.

What was your RFE for?

Good luck in the process xx

Well hopefully we wont wait but a couple more months! Its very frustrating knowing I could be in Manchester at any time, its more frustrating that I LOVE the place! lol But my daughter's dad wont consent to her living OR visiting England. Being apart is awful tho!!! Hopefully this process goes quick for all of us!!!

Oh I havent got the actual letter from the RFE yet, I expect it this week. I got the email/text on the 30th. We are DYING to knwo what this is all about! Hopefully it wont delay us too much!

Edited April 4, 2011 by uklover

[baylily 0]

DCF = Direct Consular Filing. What happens nexts depends on whether the I-130 was filed in London or the US. I assume, since you've been living in the UK on your spousal visa, then you filed in London?

I don't know what they look for in regards to the police certificate, perhaps have a search on the forums to see if anyone else has an experience of filing with a criminal record. He needs to apply for a police certificate, £35 for one copy. I recommend getting two (just in case) for only £5 more. Go here to get the information. And he'll need to take a photocopy for the medical.

I can't say for sure but it was a long time ago so it might not matter too much...do some research.

The interview isn't as intense as one would imagine. From what I've read its more of a conversation about when and how you met. At the top of the page there is a reviews section, you can read others interview experiences. Be sure to look for people doing CR1/IR1.

How long were you living in England for and why did you guys choose to move stateside?

My husband came over here in 09 but didn't like it. He had a tough time getting a job and got assulted. We eventually reached our limit. So after two years, we decided that we would give life of there a chance. Mind you, if I don't like the US, I don't know where we'll end up! lol! xx

Yes, we filed in London.

We did obtain the copies of the police report, thanks! I will do some googling to find out what others' had to go through

Your husband and I have a lot in common. I was assalted a week after we moved in England (in Devon). It was relatively minor (indecent exposure), but it did shake me. I've lived in Washington DC and New Orleans post-katrina, and have never felt nervous about where I lived. I found a good job straight away working for the NHS, but was just shell-shocked to housing prices and the general cost of living and standard of living. I made great friends, and got very active in the horse scene in Devon, but it wasn't quite enough to convince me it was the right place to live for me. I gave it a year, and was offered my job back working for the government in the US and was on the next plane out (quite literally). I think he'll miss his family and friends, but he's been a gypsy travelling all over the world working for a military contractor so hopefully he'll adapt quickly to American life. As you said, if he doesn't, i'm not sure where we'll live. And I know we can't afford shipping our stuff a third time, or my poor dog!!!

[lolita2011 0]

me too i field i-130 on november 2010 and im still waiting for my case approved

next step you should pay 88 dollars with form affidative of supports good luck to us

[Lynx Scout 0]

Hi, sorry to jump in here, but I'm at my last nerve with this stuff too..

Admittedly my husband and I sort of bucked the system without realizing it, and it made things a royal pain. Because of family pressure (from my side, US) we rushed our wedding date and eloped... while he was on WVP here in the US. Can of course guess what happened next, jext time he tried to fly in they turned him at the border and put him on the next plane back to London (without even letting us see each other).

Then of course instead I sneak into England. Admittedly we've had it easier as so far we've spent more of our time together than apart jetsetting, but we're also at the 130 is approved stage now, and looking over all the websites is making my eyes boggle.

I'm *guessing* it is the Affadafit of support (filed by me) and the CR1 (filed by him, as there are no children involved) ? Will the people who contact him in England (for the NVC case number and whatnot) be of any actual help in telling us what's the next step? i'm hoping for him to be able to get here in the fall of this year (the pragmatic side of me says, hey they took 9 months for our 130, and may as well not fly for $1400 in the summer and wait till the off-season).

Do we need the NVC case number before anything can be filed? Should I find a laywer? Get my head examined? Maybe both of us fly to, like, Menorca and hide out from both governments? This is getting insane.

Maybe I just need a hug. Not trying to hijack the original poster, but I guess I'm saying I can empathize.

Edited April 5, 2011 by Lynx Scout

[Shermeen&Adam 0]

Hi, sorry to jump in here, but I'm at my last nerve with this stuff too..

Admittedly my husband and I sort of bucked the system without realizing it, and it made things a royal pain. Because of family pressure (from my side, US) we rushed our wedding date and eloped... while he was on WVP here in the US. Can of course guess what happened next, jext time he tried to fly in they turned him at the border and put him on the next plane back to London (without even letting us see each other).

Then of course instead I sneak into England. Admittedly we've had it easier as so far we've spent more of our time together than apart jetsetting, but we're also at the 130 is approved stage now, and looking over all the websites is making my eyes boggle.

I'm *guessing* it is the Affadafit of support (filed by me) and the CR1 (filed by him, as there are no children involved) ? Will the people who contact him in England (for the NVC case number and whatnot) be of any actual help in telling us what's the next step? i'm hoping for him to be able to get here in the fall of this year (the pragmatic side of me says, hey they took 9 months for our 130, and may as well not fly for $1400 in the summer and wait till the off-season).

Do we need the NVC case number before anything can be filed? Should I find a laywer? Get my head examined? Maybe both of us fly to, like, Menorca and hide out from both governments? This is getting insane.

Maybe I just need a hug. Not trying to hijack the original poster, but I guess I'm saying I can empathize.

Are you DCF too? The process is slightly different depending on whether your petition was filed in London or the US. You said you sneaked into England so I'm assuming you weren't living here for the required time to be eligable for DCF? What happens after the I-130 is approved is slightly different depending on where you filed.

Either way you are required to complete I-864, if filed in London he takes the documents to the interview, if filed in the US it's all sent in ahead of time.

Don't stress about the situation. It's pretty straightforward but only you would know if there might be complications in your situation which might require extra guidance from an immigration lawyer.

[Shermeen&Adam 0]

me too i field i-130 on november 2010 and im still waiting for my case approved

next step you should pay 88 dollars with form affidative of supports good luck to us

If you're DCF this is not the case.

If you filed in November, you shouldn't have to wait too much longer. Just use this time to get your head around the process and prepare your documents for the next steps. Indeed, good luck to us all

[baylily 0]

Hurry up!

Fromt he website processing the petitions:

As of March 31, 2011, we are processing petitions filed on November 16, 2010.

It's been stuck on Nov 16th for ages! (ours was filed on the 17th)