London embassy - when buy plane tickets?

[Mollusk 2]

We filed our I-130 on 3 March. From the website, I think it will (start to) be processed in the next two weeks. We are keen to move to the US in September and our case should be straightforward (two kids, married 2yrs but together 11) - do you think it's safe to buy plane tickets now?

[JFH 12,191]

Are you both resident in the UK at the moment? That will mean you can file the DCF route which is quicker. In any event, you should not buy any non-refundable or non-changeable tickets until you have the visa in your hand. Anything can happen. If you are not doing the DCF route I would say it's almost certain that you won't be approved until beginning of next year at the earliest.

Edited - timeline is correct visa path but profile has incorrect visa (K-1 is for fiancés, not spouses).

Edited April 19, 2016 by JFH

[4 the luv of Masr 14]

We filed our I-130 on 3 March. From the website, I think it will (start to) be processed in the next two weeks. We are keen to move to the US in September and our case should be straightforward (two kids, married 2yrs but together 11) - do you think it's safe to buy plane tickets now?

No. Your lovely immigration adventure will take an average of 1 year or more after your I-130 is received. Good luck!

[Zedayn 485]

We filed our I-130 on 3 March. From the website, I think it will (start to) be processed in the next two weeks. We are keen to move to the US in September and our case should be straightforward (two kids, married 2yrs but together 11) - do you think it's safe to buy plane tickets now?

NO. You should wait until the visa is in hand before buying plane tickets.

[Boiler 46,414]

Visa in hand first.

[Mollusk 2]

Yes, I selected the wrong visa type and now can't figure out how to change it!

And yes, we live together in London.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Golden Rule: do not book flights until visa in hand.

You can fix your profile by going to your profile page and clicking the blue "Edit my profile" butoon under your profile name.

Edited April 19, 2016 by LionessDeon

[JFH 12,191]

So you filed at the London embassy? That's quicker than filing at the USCIS in the USA but I would say definitely wait until you have the visa before you part with any money for tickets.

[rutabaga 209]

Even with refundable tickets I'd wait until you at least have an interview date set. Non-refundable tickets: only after you get the actual visa in the passport and you get the passport back from the embassy.

[Mollusk 2]

Ah, I was able to change it by switching from the mobile version.

Thanks for your responses. Will hold off and hope we have a smooth run.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

No. Your lovely immigration adventure will take an average of 1 year or more after your I-130 is received. Good luck!

OP is doing DCF, so his adventure will be quicker than that.

[Ryan H 3,840]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to UK regional forum.***

**Moderator hat off**

Do not buy any airline tickets until the visa is in-hand.

[AMZJ 61]

at earliest I'd book the tickets the day of the interview when they have said you are approved. But even then you are still taking a risk if it goes into AP for any reason.

[Sand1818 3]

We have the exact same I-130 date and are DCF London. Best of Luck! We are hoping to move November!

[Mollusk 2]

Ooh, race you! Really hoping they process our date this week or next.