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Brad.French

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By Brad.French in Introducing our Members

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Brad.French Rookie

Brad.French   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Hey Everyone,

So... Hello! I'm Brad,27, London UK.

I've found suggestions for this site all over the net so thought I'd join and maybe get some different opinions and advice.

I met my girlfriend about 4 years ago online (U.S. Citizen from Atlanta GA) and we were friends for the first 2. shes currently in the UK living with me on a student Visa doing her PHD after spending a year getting her masters in Victorian studies.

Her mum is disabled and shes really worried about spending the next 3-4 years here only flying back every 6 months or so to check on her. Neither one of us is rich so flights take time to save for and she has no real family based support network to take care of her.

I said id be happy to move there for at least a few years to help her with her mother as I don't really want to break up because I love her so much and we don't want to start the horrors of a long distance relationship.

So my initial research pretty much takes me to the conclusion that we should get married so that I can go home with her for the foreseeable future to help look after her mother.

Of course being hit with waves of information and stories about spousal visas and requirements is a lot to process and right now it all seams a bit daunting to both of us so I guess I'm really here to get advice and ask a few questions about procedures with anyone who's willing to share.

I suppose our main question is do people think the whole process of the K-1 fiance visa goes a little quicker or is easier to process than the spousal visa?

Also I'm not sure if we Marry in the UK then she goes home to apply for my entry, I heard she would need an income of at least $30,000 to support me while i am waiting for green card approval? but I'm not sure.

If anyone wants to talk or can help me out or offer any advice about the best place to start that would fantastic.

Thank you all in advance. look forward to hearing from you and I will keep everyone posted on our movements with the process.

Thank you

Brad

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Harpa Timsah Grand Master

Harpa Timsah   13,258

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Israel
 Timeline
Posted

If I were you, I would marry and file directly with the embassy in London. This is a "special thing" available in just a few countries and it goes fast (compared to other routes).

Any immigration path requires financial sponsorship. Usually it is the petitioner (the USC) but a co-sponsor can be accepted. The qualified sponsor needs to have a US job, or assets. Since she does not have a US job, I would see if you guys could qualify on assets alone or find a co-sponsor.

If you file with the embassy/consulate, then you would get an immigrant visa, which would give you Permanent Resident Status once you enter the US. You could work right away and otherwise enjoy the benefits of being a fully vested member of society, instead of with the fiance visa where you have to wait around for months to get the Greencard.

Good luck.

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

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Nich-Nick Grand Master

Nich-Nick   3,354

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Because she lives in the UK, you have the opportunity few have...Direct Consular Filing at the USCIS field office in London. Major time shortcut. One of our members has outlined the process in the Wiki http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/DCF_London (same link as given above).

You can marry in the UK, then she can file the petition while remaining in the UK. You will be a permanent resident (greencard) the day you enter the US on your CR1 visa. No additional filing and waiting on a greencard like with the K1 fiancé visa.

The support required is an income around $19k if it is just the two of you (no kids). She can get a joint sponsor who qualifies if she can not secure a US job before your visa interview, which is when the support documents are presented. Perhaps her mother would be a joint sponsor. Cash assets can be used when the job income isn't enough. I suggest you look up the instructions for the support form I-864 to get the most complete information. The instructions explain a lot if you will read them. Go to UScis.gov and click "forms" to find both the I-864 and the instructions.

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,329

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the forum, and good luck!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Pitaya Grand Master

Pitaya   2,577

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the forum.

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

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