Fees - Spouse Visa London Embassy

[Stuwoolf 44]

Been doing some research about the fees connected to a spouse visa. I am the UK alien and my wife to be is the US Citizen. We are due to be married i Scotland and the application will be submitted to the US Embassy in London.

 

Looking through the various US Immigration pages it would seem the costs conneted to this visa are:

 

Immediate Relative and Family Preference application is $325.00 (approx £275 GBP)

Medical Examination Fee (over 15 years and over is approx $360 (£300 GBP)

 

I'm sure there must be other costs involved with this. What would they be?

 

Thanks for all the help offered.

[geowrian 22,335]

I-130: $535

Visa application: $325

Medical Exam: Varies by embassy, but ~$360 (as you noted) seems about right. If it's not right, I'm sure one of our friendly UK members will point it out.

Immigrant Fee (aka Green card fee) after approval: $220

Flight to US: variable

 

Expected processing timeframe: ~12-14 months

 

Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

NOTE: The G-325As are no longer needed, but an I-130A from the beneficiary is now required.

Edited September 13, 2017 by geowrian

[Stuwoolf 44]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

I-130: $535

Visa application: $325

Medical Exam: Varies by embassy, but ~$360 (as you noted.) seems about right.

Immigrant Fee (aka Green card fee) after approval: $220

Flight to US: variable

 

Expected processing timeframe: ~12-14 months

Thank you for your input. The costings look more complete now.

 

What has surprised me is the suggesyed timeline of 12-14 months. As the application will be submitted to the London Embassy I was of the impression that the processing time would be 3-4 months. Clearly my impressio  is misguided.

 

Thanks again for your guidance.

[geowrian 22,335]

1 minute ago, Stuwoolf said:

Thank you for your input. The costings look more complete now.

 

What has surprised me is the suggesyed timeline of 12-14 months. As the application will be submitted to the London Embassy I was of the impression that the processing time would be 3-4 months. Clearly my impressio  is misguided.

 

Thanks again for your guidance.

I thought you meant you were only interviewing there. So you're doing DCF since your wife has residency in the UK? Then the timeframe is much shorter...3-4 months would be a reasonable expectation. Keep in mind that if doing DCF, your wife will almost certainly 1) need a joint sponsor for the I-864, and 2) needs to show either US domicile or sufficient intent to establish US domicile.

[Stuwoolf 44]

Just now, geowrian said:

I thought you meant you were only interviewing there. So you're doing DCF since your wife has residency in the UK? Then the timeframe is much shorter...3-4 months would be a reasonable expectation. Keep in mind that if doing DCF, your wife will almost certainly 1) need a joint sponsor for the I-864, and 2) needs to show either US domicile or sufficient intent to establish US domicile.

Thank you again. My apologies for not being clear.

 

We are marrying in Scotland and will be submitting from Scotland via the London Embassy.

 

You mention a joint sponsor for I-864. Would my wife-to-be parents or sister or daughter suffice? Alternatively, although a family sponsor would be preferable, will a very wealthy friend (US citizen) fit this criteria? 

 

As for domicile, we will have an apartment in place before we arrive and my wife (she will be my wife by then) will have secured employment. Would this satisfy the requirement?

[geowrian 22,335]

18 minutes ago, Stuwoolf said:

Thank you again. My apologies for not being clear.

 

We are marrying in Scotland and will be submitting from Scotland via the London Embassy.

 

You mention a joint sponsor for I-864. Would my wife-to-be parents or sister or daughter suffice? Alternatively, although a family sponsor would be preferable, will a very wealthy friend (US citizen) fit this criteria? 

 

As for domicile, we will have an apartment in place before we arrive and my wife (she will be my wife by then) will have secured employment. Would this satisfy the requirement?

No worries...just trying to make sure you're getting accurate information.

 

That's fine. But she lives in the UK right now, correct? The exact requirements for DCF vary by embassy, but typically 6 months of residency (or physical presence) is necessary. Otherwise the I-130 is filed and processed in the US (which is where the 12-14 months timeline comes from). Beyond this, I'll have to defer to other UK filers for details on the DCF process there. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of DCF and to ensure you meet the residency requirements. If you already verified this, then ignore this paragraph.

 

Assuming she does not have sufficient income for the I-864 from sources that will continue once returning to the US - or sufficient assets - a joint sponsor is necessary. A joint sponsor can be any USC or green card holder domiciled in the US that meets the financial requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-864p.pdf).

 

Nobody can say for certain what will satisfy the domicile requirement for the CO. Some embassies are more strict than others. But having a signed lease and job offer are both great pieces of evidence to show intent to establish domicile.

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*I have moved your question to the DCF sub-forum where you should receive more replies from others going the same route.*~*~*

 

But yes, the medical examination is now 300 quid in London. It can only be done at Knightsbridge Doctors. As the name suggests, they are in central London. As you are in Scotland, you'll also need to factor in two trips to London in your budgeting. The medical must be done in London and the interview must be in London. These have to be at least 5 days apart. Either you go to London for a week or you make two trips. 

 

You will need an ACRO police report which costs around 45 pounds, if I recall. Plus one from any other country where you have lived after the age of 16 for one year or more or anywhere you gave been arrested (even if you didn't live there). If you've lived or been arrested in the USA, you won't need an American police report. 

 

You will also need some vaccines. I managed to get mine on the NHS but others had to pay for theirs. Depends how nice your GP is! 

[Stuwoolf 44]

Thanks for the information and guidance.

 

Our situation at the moment is my US partner is currently in NJ. She holds a UK Marriage Visa and will soon be in Scotland when/where we will marry.

 

We intend to submit US Visa papers soon after our marriage. Therefore her period of domicile in UK will be a 2-8 weeks at best.

 

Complcated.......

Edited September 13, 2017 by Stuwoolf
Spelling

[JFH 12,189]

Oh, so you won't be filing through the embassy then? You will be filing through USCIS in the USA. DCF through the London embassy is only possible where the USC lives in the U.K. 

[geowrian 22,335]

Assuming that's the case, it sounds like she doesn't have UK residency to qualify for DCF. So the I-130 needs to be filed in the US. The 12-14 month timeline is the appropriate estimate.

[Stuwoolf 44]

Good morning.

 

I think my understanding of the term "resident" is causing my confusion.

 

I am a UK citizen from birth some 58 years past. My partner is a US citizen of 50 years. Originally born in Panama she moved to US at the age of 9.

 

When we marry in Scotland we will be living in Scotland. Her UK marriage visa allows her to stay in UK until Feb 2018. She will arrive in UK in the next few weeks. At that point she will be living in UK. Maybe the correct term in this case is domicile rather than resident?

 

After marriage we have the option to apply for Further Leave to Remain in UK. Once this is granted she can stay for 30 months. During this period she is permitted to work.

 

We fully understans that there is considerable expense involved in this course of action. However there seems little choice. We are both in our late 50s and too old to be spending time apart.

 

I hope this clarifies things?

[geowrian 22,335]

26 minutes ago, Stuwoolf said:

When we marry in Scotland we will be living in Scotland. Her UK marriage visa allows her to stay in UK until Feb 2018. She will arrive in UK in the next few weeks. At that point she will be living in UK. Maybe the correct term in this case is domicile rather than resident?

Yes, this clarifies things. But I doubt she will qualify for DCF for a bit still. Check with the embassy for the exact DCF requirements, but generally you cannot just move somewhere and then qualify for DCF. I think London is a bit more lenient and doesn't impose the 6 month wait, but does require a UK residency card.

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/government-agencies/dhs/uscis/i130filing-html/

 

[Stuwoolf 44]

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

Yes, this clarifies things. But I doubt she will qualify for DCF for a bit still. Check with the embassy for the exact DCF requirements, but generally you cannot just move somewhere and then qualify for DCF. I think London is a bit more lenient and doesn't impose the 6 month wait, but does require a UK residency card.

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/government-agencies/dhs/uscis/i130filing-html/

 

Thank you.

 

We will contact the US Embassy in London to clarify.

 

Very grateful for your help and guidance on this issue.

[Stuwoolf 44]

What is meant be a "Residency Card"?

 

In the case of an American married to a Scot and soon after the wedding they apply and are granted Further Leave to Remain due to Marriage ( FLR (M) ). This is a visa issued for a 30 month stay. When this expires it is necessary to apply for a second FLR(M) which allows a further 30 month stay. After this a request is submitted for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). I dont think this has an expiry date.

 

So, my question. Is the "Residency Card" satisfied at the issue of the first FLR (M)?

 

Thanks for help received.

[Stuwoolf 44]

On Monday, October 30, 2017 at 7:03 PM, Stuwoolf said:

What is meant be a "Residency Card"?

 

In the case of an American married to a Scot and soon after the wedding they apply and are granted Further Leave to Remain due to Marriage ( FLR (M) ). This is a visa issued for a 30 month stay. When this expires it is necessary to apply for a second FLR(M) which allows a further 30 month stay. After this a request is submitted for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). I dont think this has an expiry date.

 

So, my question. Is the "Residency Card" satisfied at the issue of the first FLR (M)?

 

Thanks for help received.

Grateful for some clarification on the definition of "Residency" in the context of my post.

 

Thanks.

Edited November 4, 2017 by Stuwoolf