UK to US K-1 Preparation and Assistance

[Brit2Amer 0]

I'm going to apologize in advance as there is such a wealth of information here I'm a bit overwhelmed in my searches.

I am currently in a relationship with someone from the UK. We are preparing to to begin entering the K-1 Fiancee visa forms. However, we are not sure if we need to acquire a professional service for the whole process or if we just might need someone to review our documents to prevent delays and rejection.

So the questions we have are as follows:

1: What kinds of documentations would be best suggested for displaying our proof?

2: What would be the timeline or average timeline that others have experienced from start to finish?

3: Once the Visa is issued, what time schedule would be working on?

4: Since we have possessions and other acquired items in the UK how would we be able to close out our domicile if there are travel restrictions ?

5: Should we get a professional service to assist us with the review of documents ? Should we think about legal assistance? (Our potential goal is to keep this process as low on cost as possible)

So we are looking for assistance from the community regarding the experiences from others and advice on how we should proceed since we are potentially planning a wedding for next year but a timeline or assistance will help us make a more realistic projection.

Thank you all for your assistance and responses.

[heo luoi 206]

Online resources and venues such as VJ are pretty comprehensive but I feel ur apprehension as I can relate and going/went through the same thing.

I canvassed local lawyers who didnt seem to have a lot of experience w/ the nations as related to me. The process can be more burdensome depending on where you are dealing w/ in my opinion as some of that stuff isn't so well documented. Being UK / US I would imagine you would have less of an issue than others.
Due to this I opted to find a company that literally does nothing but assist those w/ these services. There service level leaves a little to be desired. But I think of it akin to getting ur taxes done...its really just a lot of paperwork. You dont need a CPA when they have those places that just literally file taxes and do nothing else if you have a basic deal.
My services are much more affordable than immigration lawyers. All told I think the services requires of them perhaps maybe 4 hrs of work (you still have to provide / vet all the personal data, receipts, photos...etc) so they just aggregate etc. But the lawyers I talked to wanted $1Ks and I was like for what? That would have been like $1k/hr. No thank you.
I went with the service cause they had offices here and there for me and her and they help w/ translations and local protocals...etc.
As per VJ I would say as much paper trail the better, you can choose later how much or what, but acquire so you have it. Receipts, photos, financials, travel relate stuff, proof positive of physical acquantance...all can be found on the guides here.
I believe once a visa is issued u have 6 mos to use it before it expires, 90 days to marry once here.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Then read: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

Then check out the rest of the UK sub-forum.

If you can read and follow the first link, you don't need professional help. The second link is additional data that is UK specific, and should help you with additional Qs.

You mention domicile as a concern - does that mean you *both* live in the UK?

Edited September 4, 2015 by lost_at_sea

[Brit2Amer 0]

Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Then read: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

Then check out the rest of the UK sub-forum.

If you can read and follow the first link, you don't need professional help. The second link is additional data that is UK specific, and should help you with additional Qs.

You mention domicile as a concern - does that mean you *both* live in the UK?

No, I live in the United States and my mate lives in the UK so I'm filing the K-1 for them to come to the US.

I guess I'm concerned if I will need ot get legal assistance or an attorney to go through this process. I keep encountering others within my field who went the attorney assisted visa route. But in our case we are trying to keep the cost reduced if we really don't need someone to get involved if we can avoid it.

[baron555 934]

1: What kinds of documentations would be best suggested for displaying our proof?

Read the Guides and Follow the Example Forms....links at the top of this page.

2: What would be the timeline or average timeline that others have experienced from start to finish?

Figure about 10 months total.

3: Once the Visa is issued, what time schedule would be working on?

Read the Guides

4: Since we have possessions and other acquired items in the UK how would we be able to close out our domicile if there are travel restrictions ?

There would be about a 3 month delay between getting married in the US and when the UK beneficiary could return to the UK (need the AP to be able to get back into the US).

5: Should we get a professional service to assist us with the review of documents ?

No

Should we think about legal assistance? (Our potential goal is to keep this process as low on cost as possible)

Not needed.

So we are looking for assistance from the community regarding the experiences from others and advice on how we should proceed since we are potentially planning a wedding for next year but a timeline or assistance will help us make a more realistic projection.

Do some homework. Read the Guides and the Sticky notes at the top of this forum.

[TBoneTX 46,117]

To be precise, you're filing the I-129F petition. The visa application comes later, after petition approval.