DCF London I-130

[Keeto 12]

Hi there,

I just want to check if you need to make an appointment with the Embassy in London to deliver your I-130 to them? Or do you just go and queue with all the required documents and nothing else - I already know not to take anything else but the documents...

Many thanks.

G

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi there,

I just want to check if you need to make an appointment with the Embassy in London to deliver your I-130 to them? Or do you just go and queue with all the required documents and nothing else - I already know not to take anything else but the documents...

Many thanks.

G

The London website says--

Please note: Petitions for Alien Relative (I-130) and Petitions for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (I-360) must be filed by mail. These petitions cannot be filed in person.

http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/uscis/index.html

[Keeto 12]

Thanks for that....Oh dear, not a good start if I was under the impression that I need to go there....think I need to read even more than I have done so far.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for that....Oh dear, not a good start if I was under the impression that I need to go there....think I need to read even more than I have done so far.

Yes, you have to provide proof that the USC has legal residence in the UK for 6 months. Can't just be hanging out as a tourist or on a student visa, for example.

[Keeto 12]

Yes, you have to provide proof that the USC has legal residence in the UK for 6 months. Can't just be hanging out as a tourist or on a student visa, for example.

We are covered on that one at least, my wife is a social worker and has been here for 5 years on indefinite leave to remain.

[wee carrington 33]

We are covered on that one at least, my wife is a social worker and has been here for 5 years on indefinite leave to remain.

Super easy-- just send a photocopy of her visa and that's proof enough.

Edited January 19, 2012 by Mrs GH

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

We are covered on that one at least, my wife is a social worker and has been here for 5 years on indefinite leave to remain.

Then you carry on like the other people filing I-130s, with all the required forms and documentation, but you mail to London rather than USCIS in the United States. They will send you a postcard instead of a NOA2 when the petition is approved. Everything will be transferred over to the immigrant visa unit in the embassy for the visa application/interview part. That's roughly outlined here http://london.usembassy.gov/ivprocess.html

[Keeto 12]

Great! Thanks soooo much! So far!

[Keeto 12]

I think I've read to much today because I'm starting to confuse myself. Do you ever visit the embassy except for the interview?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think I've read to much today because I'm starting to confuse myself. Do you ever visit the embassy except for the interview?

No, not that I can think of for a spouse visa. You have to go to London for a medical exam on a separate trip before the interview. Even if you don't get it right at the interview, you may be asked to send further documentation in, but I've never heard of anybody having a second interview in London. You can't hand deliver your DS-230 visa application. Your medical results are sent by courier. You can't go pick up your visa in person.

Edited January 20, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Keeto 12]

Thanks, once again, that is very helpful, for some reason I was under the impression that we will be doing a lot of "toing-and-froing".

This is good news as we live outside the M25.

I have another question. All my wife's documentation is still in her maiden surname, is this going to be an issue?

Edited January 20, 2012 by Keeto

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks, once again, that is very helpful, for some reason I was under the impression that we will be doing a lot of "toing-and-froing".

This is good news as we live outside the M25.

I have another question. All my wife's documentation is still in her maiden surname, is this going to be an issue?

There's a place on some forms for 'other names used'. If she applies in her married name (yours) then the 'other names' entry of her maiden name ties it together. Your marriage certificate probably shows 'Jane MaidenName' married 'John YourName' to also tie it together.

If she never takes your name, and gets her greencard in her maiden name and forever stays 'Jane MaidenName', that's okay too. I didn't change my name and USCIS has never questioned our rmarriage. I go by 'Jill PreviousHusband'sName' even, which is different from my birth certificate and my British husband's name.

It wouldn't hurt to get some joint things going like bank account, names on lease, utility bills if you haven't done so. Since you've been married 4-5 months, and live in the same country they might want to see some proofs of co-mingling your finances, address, and lives. That's way more important than her name.

This is good news as we live outside the M25.

Some people come from the north side of Scotland to attend the medical, then again to interview.

Edited January 20, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Keeto 12]

Thanks once again for that info.

Luckily we've had a shared bank account, rental agreements and bills in both our names for nearly 5 years - so that should hopefully be enough.

Oh BTW she is the USC and I'm the "alien"...

Edited January 21, 2012 by Keeto