Pete Rogers

Yeah, the confusing part for me was whether my 2-year wedding anniversary counted as part of that process, or not. Pretty sure it doesn't (as per the guide on this site), but can't get the USCIS to confirm. If how long I'd been married only affected the initial issuing of the green card, that's fine. It's within 90 days of date of issue, which was April 25, 2024 for me, right?

Yes, that's it. I think I misinterpreted what it said at the time. I knew you got a CR-1 with <2 years marriage, and an IR-1 with >2 years, but I didn't realise that was it — I thought I could remove the conditions once I passed the 2-year anniversary, regardless of the green card expiry date. Glad I confirmed though. Thank you all!

I'm sure there was something in the visa process where I had to be married to a US citizen for two years before I could do it... am I imagining that? I thought it was removing the green card conditions.

Apologies if this doesn't make sense or is a non-issue. I have an Immigration Visa printed and stuck inside my UK passport, set to expire on September 1, 2024. Today (July 8, 2024) I received my Green Card, valid for two years, beginning on the day I entered the US (April 25, 2024). First, am I right in saying the IV is irrelevant now I'm in the US, and I simply had until September 1 to move to the US? Second, I'm sure I read somewhere that I could remove the conditions on my CR-1 green card after two years of marriage to a US citizen. Is that the case, or am I confusing myself and it's actually two years from the date my US residency began? My two-year anniversary is this November, so I want to clarify if I need to begin the renewal process this coming August, or if I have to wait until January 2026. In terms of the visa, is there nothing to renew now? It's all about the green card until such time as I can begin the citizenship process? I'm asking here because I can't get past the automated menu when I call USCIS to speak to someone... Thanks in advance!

Finally have my interview date at the US Embassy in London, and I'm running through the checklist of documents needed. I've noticed a discrepancy and can't get a straight answer from the Embassy. In the initial link on the interview confirmation (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview.html), it states: You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC. However, on the link it sends you to for a full breakdown of required documents (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/LND-London.html), under Family-based visa applications, it says: Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents: For family-based visa applications: The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s. Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card). Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails). If you are married: Your original marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy. A certified copy from the issuing authority is acceptable. My wife is a US citizen, and has multiple times confirmed her current address. She has submitted the tax returns etc previously — do I need to bring a copy of them to my interview or not? The two links seems to contradict themselves. Also, for proof of domicile (if that is even needed, as the wording makes it sound like it only applies of the petitioner themselves is an immigrant), is a State ID acceptable? Reason being, her US passport hasn't been updated since we got married, so still has her maiden name and previous address on it, and we're worried it wouldn't be accepted. Again, all this feels redundant, because if they had any doubts she didn't live in the US, we wouldn't have made it this far. But I want to be 100% I have everything before I get to my interview. Any insights are welcome. Thanks

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. We've decided to get married first, then do the CR-1 visa. The turnaround time is about the same, from what I can tell, but it means I can hit the ground running when I get there. Thanks again!!

That's encouraging, thank you! I've seen a lot of websites that quote up to 3 years for the CR-1, compared to 12-18 months for the K-1. Shame there's nowhere that gives definitive, up to date timeframes (I guess that's hard to do, because every application will be different in terms of what's needed to progress it, I imagine) but if they're both roughly the same in terms of processing time, and if the CR-1 ends with a green card and work permit, that seems like a logical way to go. As you say, earning foreign income might not affect things, but I would be unable to pay myself a wage from it all the same while on a K-1 visa, so it's still little use, in practical terms.

Hi, My fiancee and I are looking to start the K-! visa process so I can move to the US. It's obviously a lot to process, and one thing I hadn't really considered was my work situation. A bit of reading online, and I see I would need to apply for an EAD once I land to be legally allowed to work while waiting for my AoS/green card to go through... and this seemingly takes a while to get. I'm currently self-employed in the UK, and have my own limited company. I'm an author and make a living from sales/book royalties. It's not possible for me to not earn money, as sales happen simply because books are available online, so presumably, I would have to wait to migrate my business over to the US. My concern is that with my UK company earning UK money, it would still violate the conditions of my visa once I was living in the US. Even if I'm not physically writing (which, until I hit publish and start earning money on the book, can easily be classed as a hobby, not work), I'm still earning money from book sales. Can anyone please advise what options I have here? I understand a spousal visa would negate this issue, but it will also likely take far longer to process... TIA

Thank you for this. That's what VJ says in the guide here, but with so many other sources saying something else, I figured it was best to check. Do I still need to put the details of the US Embassy on there, like it says on the VJ template?

Hi, Can anyone please advise me exactly what I need to include in the letter of intent (as the beneficiary) for the K-1 visa? The guide on this site gives just very basic, official language to use, but looking at examples on pretty much any immigration law firm's website, they say you have to include a full breakdown of how you met, which is confusing me. I don't want to leave anything out and risk doing it wrong, but there seems to be too many variations online to know what's right and what isn't. I know at some point we both have to provide proof of a relationship — photos, boarding passes, receipts etc... is that part of this, too, or does that come later? Thanks in advance for any assistance.