DCF London - process begun, how to manage life!

[Yorkshirelass 1]

Well we have sent in the I-130 package today. And also sent off for police certificate.

Hopefully a straightforward case - I'm UK citizen, husband (of 4 years) USC but been here ages and now UK citizen as well. He has been offered job in Seattle, starts mid September so will leave UK for that. USA here we come....

Trying to work out how to schedule up to 90 day tourist visa trips to US around visa application process - isn't it a nightmare, so many unknowns....

We are planning to move the furniture and belongings over early/ mid sept, I am moving to a friends until I finish work at end of sept, then will use my parents as a base. Hoping then to head straight over to Seattle to help find somewhere to rent, in husbands name, that will become our home (although obviously not classed as my home until my visa process complete/arrives) until we are to actually sort out everything to buy property in I guess couple of years (husband initially moving into furnished for very first bit of time). Finding it difficult looking at other people's timescales how to best manage things and limit number of flights, due to cost.

Am I right that if we need to slow it down because I'm "on holiday" in usa that I can do that around the medical/ submission of DS230/DS2001 and if necessary at the interview stage? I'd rather speed the whole thing up and have this stress go away, but as it seems unrealistic to expect things finished by mid October seems better to head to USA for month or two early October and come back either as visa process needs or in any case within the 90 day visit period.

Any advice, other than go with the flow and be prepared to be flexible with plans?

THANKS

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi,

I would be careful during the process with going back and forth. The process in London itself is not that long, it can take 2 to 3 months according to recent timescales (and if you have all supporting documents and are quick to send everything over)

I would try and get the DCF done ASAP and then going over in my opinion

PS: congrats on sending off the I-130. According to current processing times, you should get NOA2

pretty quickly!

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hey, congrats on filing!

You're right - the place you can have the most slow-down effect is after you get your I-130 approval. If you want to stretch it out, take your time returning the DS forms and booking your medical.

To be honest, I'd assume that it'll take longer than you think anyway and not try to slow it down.

[Yorkshirelass 1]

Thanks so much....that is useful to know lost at sea, you are my visa application guru, such fantastic notes!

Whoops - didn't quote you, sorry just getting used to this forum

Hey, congrats on filing!

You're right - the place you can have the most slow-down effect is after you get your I-130 approval. If you want to stretch it out, take your time returning the DS forms and booking your medical.

To be honest, I'd assume that it'll take longer than you think anyway and not try to slow it down.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thanks so much....that is useful to know lost at sea, you are my visa application guru, such fantastic notes!

Whoops - didn't quote you, sorry just getting used to this forum

It's okay. I keep an eye on posts I've responded on. Mostly to check and see if Nich-Nick has corrected me. She's the real guru around these parts.

[Yorkshirelass 1]

Exciting - letter by email today confirming that I-130 received, (we posted it on 30 July, signed for on 31 July)

Embassy website saying as of 29 July they processing those received on 24 July

Is this letter the NOA1? Or does that come later in process? Edit: Ahh just checked the lost-in-sea guide, it is the NOA1, hurrah

Would like a timeline to show on my posts footer - like everyone else, but haven't found that button yet!!!

Looking at London timelines is going to become addictive I fear....

It's okay. I keep an eye on posts I've responded on. Mostly to check and see if Nich-Nick has corrected me. She's the real guru around these parts.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Yorkshirelass

[Yorkshirelass 1]

Thank- you, your timeline is progressing pretty quickly I see! Great to have someone just ahead of us in the process so we can watch your timeline advance.

I'm holding back on booking flights to see how things look in a bit. But even if I pop over for a few weeks will be worthwhile, the husband will be pretty full on navigating a new job so house-hunting can't be his no1 priority, whilst I will have all day to chase up properties - and he is (as am I) keen I'm part of that decision anyway. And is only an 9 hour flight away I keep telling myself....

Hi,

I would be careful during the process with going back and forth. The process in London itself is not that long, it can take 2 to 3 months according to recent timescales (and if you have all supporting documents and are quick to send everything over)

I would try and get the DCF done ASAP and then going over in my opinion
PS: congrats on sending off the I-130. According to current processing times, you should get NOA2
pretty quickly!

Edited August 2, 2013 by Yorkshirelass

[Dbkrantz 16]

Thank- you, your timeline is progressing pretty quickly I see! Great to have someone just ahead of us in the process so we can watch your timeline advance.

I'm holding back on booking flights to see how things look in a bit. But even if I pop over for a few weeks will be worthwhile, the husband will be pretty full on navigating a new job so house-hunting can't be his no1 priority, whilst I will have all day to chase up properties - and he is (as am I) keen I'm part of that decision anyway. And is only an 8 hour flight away I keep telling myself....

So far so good on the timeline. I am waiting for packet 3... Waiting is the hard! And yes, it's nice to have someone right ahead. I know someone who is exactly one business day away from me so I know that when he receives something, mine is not far behind!

I can't wait to know more so I can finally book a flight. I am hoping that my husband will have his passport and will be ready to go by mid-November. We want to travel through France for 2+ weeks before to say goodbye to friends and family and leave from there.