Starting point

[michael_jones86 0]

Hi everyone,

I am a UK citizen married to a US citizen and trying to move over to the US. We have been married 4 years and have been living in the UK.

So far, I've figured out that we are going to use DCF and are going to get a joint sponsor. However, I'm under where to even begin! I've basically printed off loads of information on the whole process but feel a bit lost in the details (hope this is normal!).

Does anyone have any advice on where to begin? Is there a 'timeline with a checklist' or something that helps someone like me breakdown the process step-by-step?

Appreciate your input!

Mike

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

*** Moving from CR-1 to DCF forum ***

Each embassy handles DCF a bit differently, but this forum should give you some answers. Also be sure to read our Guides: http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

[lost_at_sea 995]

Well - you've come to the right place.

I replied to another member a couple of days ago, and he just sent in his pack. You might like to read his thread, then come back here and ask any further questions that weren't covered there. OK? http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/440216-confused/

You're also welcome to look at this guide I've been writing. It's not finished, nor has anyone checked it for me. It's probably got some mistakes in it, or too much of the wrong sort of information. I'm hoping if I ask Nich-Nick ultra nicely, she'll check it over for me before I publish it permanently on this forum.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RBZ0TyLNRKmStlOJUpIkStB_qlV7XzGiF0KFO08AyCc/pub

Edited July 11, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[michael_jones86 0]

Thanks guys that's really, really helpful.

Lost_at_sea I found your guide extremely insightful (can't believe the medical is so much money! When you consider things like the police certificate, the medical, the postage, etc is really starts adding up)! Thanks so much for taking the time to do it. I'm sure many people will be blessed by your hard work.

I might have missed it, but at what point does my wife (USC) have to provide her tax return information? Only because we didn't realise she had to still fill in her tax return information and so we're trying to sort that out at the moment.

Thanks!

[lost_at_sea 995]

I might have missed it, but at what point does my wife (USC) have to provide her tax return information? Only because we didn't realise she had to still fill in her tax return information and so we're trying to sort that out at the moment.

You'll need that in hand by the time of your interview. It'll go with your affidavit of support (i864) form.

You don't mail that off anywhere, so it's not actually required until the last minute, but you'll feel better to have it in hand by the time you want to send back the DS-2001 (since that is a declaration to say that you have all the documents in hand and are ready to interview).

So, aim to have them sorted out and ready by about a 6 weeks after you send off the I-130 to the Embassy?

Edited July 11, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[michael_jones86 0]

Awesome! You're my hero

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi,

I am just starting off as well.

The only thing you need right now is all about her. Proof of citizenship and proof of residence in the UK. You should send that along with credit card payement, and the I-130 as well as the two biographical sheets, which are G-325A. Add a self-addressed first class enveloppe and you are ready to send everything to the embassy.

Also, just for it not to confuse you. They are two types of spousal visas. There is the IR1 or CR1. There is a little difference, which is not crucial but could become confusing. If you are married for less than 2 years, you are applying for a CR which means conditional residence, which means you get a 2 years renewal green card. If you are married for more than 2 years, you can apply for an IR1 visa which gives you access to a 10 year green card directly.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help. I literally just sent in my papers yesterday!

All the best,

[UKHusband 1]

I can highly recommend following lost_at_sea's advice to the letter!

[lost_at_sea 995]

I can highly recommend following lost_at_sea's advice to the letter!

Don't say that, you'll get me in trouble.

Just spent the last hour with my husband printing out all our tax paperwork and photocopying all my docs for the interview. I think we just killed a rainforest. I hope the bloomin' embassy appreciates that.

[UKHusband 1]

Also, just for it not to confuse you. They are two types of spousal visas. There is the IR1 or CR1. There is a little difference, which is not crucial but could become confusing. If you are married for less than 2 years, you are applying for a CR which means conditional residence, which means you get a 2 years renewal green card. If you are married for more than 2 years, you can apply for an IR1 visa which gives you access to a 10 year green card directly.

I didn't actually realise this to be honest - is there anything different you're supposed to do for either one? We've been married for seven years, so will we automatically get put in for IR1?

Don't say that, you'll get me in trouble.

Ha, definitely no need for modesty on this occasion - your guide should be compulsory reading for all in this situation!!

[lost_at_sea 995]

I didn't actually realise this to be honest - is there anything different you're supposed to do for either one? We've been married for seven years, so will we automatically get put in for IR1?

Yeah, you'll get IR1 so you'll immediately get a 10 year green card. You don't have to do anything extra in order to get that - it's just based on your marriage date, so it's automatic.

I'm going to get a CR1, so I'll only get the 2 year conditional green card, so I'm going to have to remove conditions on it (RoC) just before the 2 years expire (which is basically MORE paperwork, proving our relationship was genuine/good faith, and possibly another interview, as far as I'm aware).

You'll be able to just not worry about your immigration state for a while - until you want to naturalise (I think you can do that after 3 years as a LPR (legal permanent resident) spouse).

Edited July 11, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Dbkrantz 16]

I thought it was 7 years to naturalize!

Nothing else to add, it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. It's just good to know that you don't have to worry about anything for 10 years, which is good! My husband is also going to be stuck with a 2 years green card, because we've only been married for a couple of days

[lost_at_sea 995]

I thought it was 7 years to naturalize!

Nothing else to add, it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. It's just good to know that you don't have to worry about anything for 10 years, which is good! My husband is also going to be stuck with a 2 years green card, because we've only been married for a couple of days

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_requirements That makes it sound like 3 years. I could easily still be wrong. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm happy to wait 7 years... I need a paperwork break.

[Dbkrantz 16]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_requirements That makes it sound like 3 years. I could easily still be wrong. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm happy to wait 7 years... I need a paperwork break.

Haha I need a paperwork break and I barely just started. The plan is that I'm doing the paperwork for my husband for his green card, but whenever he is ready to naturalize, I am done and will tell him "you're on your own, buddy !"

[UKHusband 1]

I've already done all my paperwork for this (don't tell my boss) so will be ready to go again by then and would happily naturalise in 3 years - at which point I will presumably have to start spelling it 'naturalize'?