IR-1 Visa Process When Living Abroad in UK

[taratodd92 0]

Hi all, hoping I can find a little guidance here.

 

My husband (UK) and myself (US) were married in 2018, filed for my UK spouse visa, and I moved to the UK.

 

We are now in the process of filing for my husbands IR-1 visa so we can both move back to the US together. I was feeling quite confident that I had a good understanding of what we needed, all of the paperwork, forms, payment, etc, and have spent a lot of time on the govt site following guidelines there. However, I’m starting to feel a little lost about what I need and when I need it. Instructions online are very specific for people who are filing while living apart (US partner living in US, UK partner living in UK) but I’m finding it hard to find info/instructions from others who have done it while both are living in the UK.

 

I am looking for a list of exactly what documents we need and when we need them, as well as when payments are made.

 

We have completed the Petition phase, completed the online DS-260, and have an interview booked. Here are things I’m uncertain about:

 

 I believe we do NOT submit any supporting docs online, they all come with us to the embassy for the interview, is this correct?

 

Because we are filing via the embassy and not a visa centre, I did not receive a letter to book an interview, but I was able to use the link online to schedule it. I believe we will NOT have an interview letter to bring with us, aside from the confirmation from booking the appointment, is this correct? 
 

When using the embassy portal to book the interview, I was not prompted to make any payment. I believe we will be paying in person on the day of the interview, is this correct?

 

I hope all of that makes sense, and thank you in advance for any guidance, answers, advice. 

[payxibka 10,047]

2 minutes ago, taratodd92 said:

Hi all, hoping I can find a little guidance here.

 

My husband (UK) and myself (US) were married in 2018, filed for my UK spouse visa, and I moved to the UK.

 

We are now in the process of filing for my husbands IR-1 visa so we can both move back to the US together. I was feeling quite confident that I had a good understanding of what we needed, all of the paperwork, forms, payment, etc, and have spent a lot of time on the govt site following guidelines there. However, I’m starting to feel a little lost about what I need and when I need it. Instructions online are very specific for people who are filing while living apart (US partner living in US, UK partner living in UK) but I’m finding it hard to find info/instructions from others who have done it while both are living in the UK.

 

I am looking for a list of exactly what documents we need and when we need them, as well as when payments are made.

 

We have completed the Petition phase, completed the online DS-260, and have an interview booked. Here are things I’m uncertain about:

 

 I believe we do NOT submit any supporting docs online, they all come with us to the embassy for the interview, is this correct?

 

Because we are filing via the embassy and not a visa centre, I did not receive a letter to book an interview, but I was able to use the link online to schedule it. I believe we will NOT have an interview letter to bring with us, aside from the confirmation from booking the appointment, is this correct? 
 

When using the embassy portal to book the interview, I was not prompted to make any payment. I believe we will be paying in person on the day of the interview, is this correct?

 

I hope all of that makes sense, and thank you in advance for any guidance, answers, advice. 

 

[The4Sands 67]

I would also recommend @os306's DCF London steps.  Ignore parts 1-5 as you are part those, but the later steps are helpful regarding what to do once you're to the medical and interview stage.  Best of luck!

 

 

Edited June 15, 2020 by The4Sands

[Quarknase 1,072]

OP never mentioned that they’re doing DCF. If you filed I-130 with USCIS and got approved there, then the process is different. You cannot schedule your interview yourself, and need to follow the steps in NVC process outlined on the Department of State website.

If you did DCF, then above posters have provided responses.

Good luck!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, taratodd92 said:

 I believe we do NOT submit any supporting docs online, they all come with us to the embassy for the interview, is this correct?

Correct. The list of documents is on the embassy website. Scroll down a bit to see the list  

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/required-documents/

 

2 hours ago, taratodd92 said:

Because we are filing via the embassy and not a visa centre, I did not receive a letter to book an interview, but I was able to use the link online to schedule it. I believe we will NOT have an interview letter to bring with us, aside from the confirmation from booking the appointment, is this correct? 

Correct. The confirmation you received when booking online is shown to folks outside on interview day. It’s a bit like showing an admission ticket. Add that to your list of what to bring on interview day. It’s not in the published documents list.

 

2 hours ago, taratodd92 said:

When using the embassy portal to book the interview, I was not prompted to make any payment. I believe we will be paying in person on the day of the interview, is this correct?

Correct. There is a cashier where they will send you to pay. Typically your number (received at entry) will be called for you to present your documents at a window. They will check things then send you to the cashier window. Then you return to first window to give them your receipt of paying. Lastly you wait for your number to be called again to go to the interviewer’s window.

 

Things you didn’t mention—

 

Medical appointment and things to take. Their website provides a list. Note that your interview confirmation serves as “ Appointment letter from the United States Embassy“.  http://www.visamedicals.co.uk/us-bring.htm

Courier arrangements. Did you do that on the interview booking site?

 

 

Edited June 15, 2020 by Wuozopo

[Wuozopo 4,293]

@taratodd92

 

Here’s a list I posted recently of what to pay when/where

 

Direct Consular Filing.

 

$535 Spouse Petition (USCIS London Office)

£55 police certificate (ACRO)

£350 medical (Visa Medicals clinic) pay at the appointment

$325 visa fee (Pay a cashier on interview day)

$30 or $0 (Courier) home delivery or pick up at depot

$220 Immigrant fee after you get the visa (USCIS ELIS) online

 

The visa fee goes to the Dept of State for issuing your spouse visa.
The immigrant fee goes to USCIS for issuing your greencard upon arrival.

[Ryan H 3,821]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.