Travel after Curtailment of UK Tier 2 Visa and Timing of Interview in London DCF?

[kenneme 2]

Dear all, thank you for any advice for our case, especially any other nationals / UK visa holders (not UK citizens) that have done DCF in London!

 

We are currently awaiting NOA2 for spouse via DCF in London. I have just accepted a job back home in California (yeah!), and have given notice to my current employer. I now need to negotiate my last day of employment in the UK. We are hoping I can start the new job in the USA by mid-May. However, once I stop work in the UK I understand my (and my husband and son's) visas will be 'curtailed' by the UK government, giving us approximately 60 days to "settle our affairs' and leave the country". As my husband is an Algerian national he cannot stay/enter the UK without that, so he would need to do his interview at the US Embassy before his 60 days run out. So two questions on timing and his UK visa status:

1. Whether it is possible for him to travel to the US and then re-enter the UK between the time I stop work and the visa interview (Tier 2 curtailed) before the visa expires/ends? Or would it be better for him to just stay in the UK and wait? Ideally we would travel to the US on his US tourist visa as soon as I stop working in mid-May and then he would go back to the UK for the interview and re-enter the US on the spousal visa.  

2. Is it realistic to expect an interview date within the time-frame allowed by the UK authorities for curtailing our Tier 2 visas in the UK (which would be 60 days or so from when my UK employer notifies them of our departure from the country, approximately 20 May). Obviously the problem is that the longer I stay working in the UK the better for giving my husband enough time to get the interview at the US embassy in London, but then I would put at jeopardy my new job in the US! 

Worst case scenario, could he apply for a tourist visa to the UK to return for his visa interview at the US embassy? Or transfer his case? What would you advise? 

Thank you very much for any advise or experiences. 

-kenneme

 

Me: US citizen, residing in UK on Tier 2 (employment based) visa

Husband (of 7 years): Algeria citizen, also residing in UK on Tier 2 spousal visa (based on my employment).

Status: Applying for spousal visa through DCF at London consulate. Submitted I-130. February 9, 2017 (NOA1)

[DaveHorton 0]

We recently filed DCF, submitted I130 1st Nov, got the I130 approved Jan 17, then got NOA2 after a couple of days and arranged medical for the earliest date (Jan 31). Foolishly I waited until the medical was over and they had confirmed that they had sent the papers to the Embassy before I logged into the interview site and tried for the earliest date: that turned out to be Mid March. So the biggest delay for us was waiting between the medical and earliest interview. If I had my time over I would arrange the interview at the same time as the medical and then hopefully get a shorter delay.

Good luck!

[aless02 9]

I-130s are currently taking around 2 months at London (FINGERS CROSSED!), which puts you very soon (in fact, I'd expect your dates to be covered on the next website update). I'd say your chances of getting an interview completed within 60 days of 20th May are very good, as realistically let's say you get an interview for even a month from NOA2 (looks like a lot of people can get them quicker, especially if you keep an eye on cancellations), that's early May (then a week or 2 for passport delivery via courier). Assuming there are no hiccups with medical or anything else.

Edited April 5, 2017 by aless02

[kenneme 2]

Thank you aless02 that's very encouraging! We were trying to reduce stress (for visa, move and starting new job) by separting our move and the visa process, but maybe I should be more optimistic and hope for an interview sooner! 

 

Best, 

Megan 

[aless02 9]

looks like London are falling behind again, as it's been more than 2 months since your NOA1. Have you not gotten NOA2 yet then, I take it? Should be any day now fingers crossed for you.

[kenneme 2]

Thank you! No we have not gotten it yet. I am expecting it in the mail (is there any reason to hunt around on the website or calling, as others have described). They posted today they are processing applications with our date - yay! - so crossing my fingers (and toes!!).

 

Megan