IR-1 Visa Process line

[...Jay... 1]

Good Evening Everyone, 

 

I'm Jay (UK Citizen by birth) and my Wife is Christina (American Citizen by birth)

 

We were married in America in October '16 and live in the UK since Feb 17' Christina is here on a 30 month spouse visa. 

 

We have been discussing renewing her visa or relocating to America for a couple of months and have come to the decision we would like to live in America. 

 

We have been reading up on IR-1 visas and are hoping to submit our I-130 forms here in the UK in October 2018 with a view to moving in October 2019. This may seem a long way into the future, but we like to be prepared and have a house in the UK to sell as well as looking into flying our dog to America with as little stress as possible for him. My main questions at the moment are with regards to the 'steps' to the application process (and i know its almost impossible to say) but if anyone can add timescales to it aswell.

 

  MY current research suggests the following

 

1) Submit I-130 and I-130a forms concurrently to a UK address along with all supporting Documentation (I've read this somewhere but don't have it to hand) 

2) Receive OF169 and OF230 Parts 1 and 2

3) fill out these forms as well as an I864 form For both Christina and her mother who will be our Sponsor and return to an address i'm unsure of. 

4) Invited to interview at local consulute (London)

5) take I-485 forms as well as all supporting documentation to interview, 

6) Receive a decision during interview and receive stamp in passport

7) Travel to America and on Arrival, residents status will be granted

8) receive green card in the Mail. 

 

However, I'm unsure of information regarding the Medical, are you advised when to book it and where to book it? is that part of the correspondence that arrives with you when you receive the OF169 and OF230 forms? 

 

Apologies in advance for what i'm sure is a repeat question, i just can't seem to find a clear 'process line' or 'timeline'

 

Thanks in advance 

 

[kris&me 572]

the of- 169 is no longer in use there is a new one ds-2001 its a form you file that your ready for the interview like a check list of all your documents an other papers, your telling that you have every thing all papers and documents you are now ready for the interview.

this is from a former VJ member post

 

important is the USC must have an established US residency and supporting documents to show income/ has the USC been filing tax returns for the past 3 years?   

have you checked the 2018 125% poverty guidelines to ensure support I 864 document?

Edited February 19, 2018 by kris&me

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

Read this:  http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

[Ryan H 3,818]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to DCF Discussion.

Edited February 23, 2018 by Ryan H

[...Jay... 1]

23 hours ago, missileman said:

 

Read this:  http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

Good evening, I’ve had a really good read but it still seems unclear how my American spouse files the I-130 when she is here in the UK with me currently. The DCF only seems to pick up the process after USCIS have approved the application which can apparently take several months but there is no postal address for USCIS in the UK

 

thanks in advance and apologies if I’ve over looked the info. 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

6 minutes ago, ...Jay... said:

Good evening, I’ve had a really good read but it still seems unclear how my American spouse files the I-130 when she is here in the UK with me currently. The DCF only seems to pick up the process after USCIS have approved the application which can apparently take several months but there is no postal address for USCIS in the UK

 

thanks in advance and apologies if I’ve over looked the info. 

 

She files the I-130 at the consulate.

 

1. You (and your spouse) will visit the US consulate to file your I-130 and required documents. Some consulates will accept the petition and supporting evidence via mail. Please confirm this via the consulate's website (or on the phone if possible). The following thread on the forums contains example cover letters for I-130 and visa applications: DCF Cover Letter Thread.

2- The I-130 will be adjudicated and either approved or denied. If it is approved the foreign spouse may apply for an IR-1 or CR-1 Visa (Immigrant Visa).

3- The foreign spouse will be required to submit a DS-230 Part 1 (visa application) as well as several required items on a checklist that the consulate will provide. The checklist will include items such as a Police Certificate, Birth Certificate, Previous Divorce Records, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), and others.

Note: As suggested above, if you had spoken with the consulate early on you may have already collected certain required documents. If you have them with you when filing for the Immigrant Visa you may be able to submit them with the visa application and thus expedite the processing of your case. As a general note, submit photocopies of all original documents unless otherwise directed by the Consular staff. Be sure to bring originals when visiting the consulate in case they need to see them. Remember that you must sign all documents in ink. Pay attention to certain documents that ask you NOT to sign until witnessed by a consulate officer!

4- The US Citizen's spouse will have their Immigrant Visa Interview. The US Citizen Spouse does NOT have to be present at the final interview. Once all paperwork and background checks are complete and assuming the interview goes well, the Immigrant Visa will be issued and attached inside the beneficiaries passport. The time delay from the interview to the visa being issued is typically a few days. Immigrant Visas are typically valid for six months and can in some cases be extended (you must request this in advance of the visa expiration and receive approval by the embassy -- do not assume this is possible unless confirmed by the consulate). The first entry into the US must be made before the expiration date on the Visa. This is very important.

5- The foreign spouse can now legally enter the US. At the Port of Entry they will have their Visa/Passport stamped indicating their legal status in the US. Their status is now that of a US Legal Permanent Resident. Within a few weeks an official Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) will arrive in the mail. Additionally, if on the visa application DS-230 II you applied for the Social Security number your Social Security Card will be mailed to you within a month of entering the US. If you did not apply for the SSN on your visa application you can visit your local Social Security Agency to apply for one. Make sure to being your passport/Visa and Green Card if you have received it.
 

Edited February 20, 2018 by missileman

[...Jay... 1]

On 20/02/2018 at 9:06 PM, missileman said:

She files the I-130 at the consulate.

 

1. You (and your spouse) will visit the US consulate to file your I-130 and required documents. Some consulates will accept the petition and supporting evidence via mail. Please confirm this via the consulate's website (or on the phone if possible). The following thread on the forums contains example cover letters for I-130 and visa applications: DCF Cover Letter Thread.

2- The I-130 will be adjudicated and either approved or denied. If it is approved the foreign spouse may apply for an IR-1 or CR-1 Visa (Immigrant Visa).

3- The foreign spouse will be required to submit a DS-230 Part 1 (visa application) as well as several required items on a checklist that the consulate will provide. The checklist will include items such as a Police Certificate, Birth Certificate, Previous Divorce Records, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), and others.

Note: As suggested above, if you had spoken with the consulate early on you may have already collected certain required documents. If you have them with you when filing for the Immigrant Visa you may be able to submit them with the visa application and thus expedite the processing of your case. As a general note, submit photocopies of all original documents unless otherwise directed by the Consular staff. Be sure to bring originals when visiting the consulate in case they need to see them. Remember that you must sign all documents in ink. Pay attention to certain documents that ask you NOT to sign until witnessed by a consulate officer!

4- The US Citizen's spouse will have their Immigrant Visa Interview. The US Citizen Spouse does NOT have to be present at the final interview. Once all paperwork and background checks are complete and assuming the interview goes well, the Immigrant Visa will be issued and attached inside the beneficiaries passport. The time delay from the interview to the visa being issued is typically a few days. Immigrant Visas are typically valid for six months and can in some cases be extended (you must request this in advance of the visa expiration and receive approval by the embassy -- do not assume this is possible unless confirmed by the consulate). The first entry into the US must be made before the expiration date on the Visa. This is very important.

5- The foreign spouse can now legally enter the US. At the Port of Entry they will have their Visa/Passport stamped indicating their legal status in the US. Their status is now that of a US Legal Permanent Resident. Within a few weeks an official Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) will arrive in the mail. Additionally, if on the visa application DS-230 II you applied for the Social Security number your Social Security Card will be mailed to you within a month of entering the US. If you did not apply for the SSN on your visa application you can visit your local Social Security Agency to apply for one. Make sure to being your passport/Visa and Green Card if you have received it.
 

You are a STAR!!!! thank you for this!! Missileman!! very kind of you! 

[swe_jill 7]

FYI: I've used this email address previously (Sweden used to file to the UK, but not any longer). The people were always very helpful and quick with responses.   

uscis.london@dhs.gov

 

Edited February 23, 2018 by swe_jill

[Ryan H 3,818]

**Hijack posts removed; if you have a question about your own case, you need to start your own thread.**