Filed I-130 at London US Embassy

[texasbantam 0]

Hello everyone!

I'm a new registered user (today).. but have been lurking for a while! I'll fill in a timeline later on today.

I'm a UK resident, my wife is originally from Texas (she's on a 2-year spousal visa, due to expire in November), and we're both in the UK.

We filed my I-130 April 28th with the US Embassy in London, and they took the credit card payment within a week.. now my questions are - is this normal for them to take the payment out so quickly? And am I correct in assuming that because they've taken the payment, the I-130 has been approved, and should now wait for the DS-230??

My wife is desperate to get back home, so if I could give her an answer it'd make my life a lot quieter (for now anyway

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Hi there! Welcome to VJ, and the wonderful world of London DCF. I myself am a "graduate" from last year.

It is totally normal for them to take your credit card payment within a few days. However, unfortunately, this does not mean you are on to Packet 3 stage, when you fill in the DS-230. (Would that it were!) It just means they have put your file in the queue for processing. The next step is having your petition approved; this usually takes 2-3 months, depending on the time of year. You can check what date they're up to processing-wise here: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/uscis/i130filing.html Look in the sidebar on the right under "Processing Times". As of today, they're processing petitions from March 3rd. Your filing date is the date your card was charged. When your date comes up, you should be hearing within a week or so if you've been approved. Then you can start worrying about the DS-230, the I-864 and all the other lovely forms you've been hearing about.

Most of us London DCFers in the past year completed this process in 4-5 months, the only exceptions being where people delayed on purpose. If your card was charged in late April/early May, expect to be called for interview in late August/early September. The only other thing you could do right now to help get organised is make sure your wife filed her taxes during the years she has lived in the UK. You will need them.

Good luck! Hope this gives your wife an idea of what to expect time-wise.

[texasbantam 0]

Thank you very much! I knew there were some friendly people on here, but really didn't expect an answer so quickly!

I'll tell my wife the news - it's pretty much what I was expecting - I've spent the last 6 months reading up on it all! Its a lot more time consuming than my wifes UK visa was - 2 forms and a fee was all she had to do.

I'll keep updating anyway, and I'll post any news as and when i receive - i know how helpful this forum has been to me, so I can only repay the favour.

See y'all soon!

[texasbantam 0]

One last question..

You say my wife has to file her tax returns - if she's been working in the UK for the past 2 years, would this still be necessary?

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Yes, its a pain but it is still neccessary. There is a link on the US Embassy home page for the IRS in London.

http://london.usembassy.gov/irs/index.htm

She more than likely will be able to exclude all of her income here, and even if she didn't file, she can still do it now and probably not be penalised.

Edited May 19, 2008 by Glyn and Kathy

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Yep -- she has to file. I didn't know about this -- hadn't filed since 1995 -- and had to do 3 years of back taxes. It was a pain but not difficult. The exemption is for up to $82,500 per annum (I seem to recall) so unless she made over that in each of those two years she won't need to pay taxes at all. I'm not totally certain, but I think that that figure is net as well, which makes the hurdle even higher before you have to pay. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

Call the guys at the IRS office in London for further advice and forms -- they are lovely and very, very helpful. She'll need 1040 tax forms and the 2555-EZ for excluding foreign income. If you're in London, she can also pop by the Embassy and go in to see the tax guys. No appointment needed, but she will need to bring her US passport; they do walk-ins Tues-Thurs.

[texasbantam 0]

Thanks again to both of you for replying..

My wife's now printed out the tax forms (or what looks like a small book to me!).. She says its pretty straight forward.

I presume this is for the I-864 affidavit of support? I'm gonna have a whole bunch of questions abot that, when the time comes...

Thanks again!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Maven - I'm surprised at you. You did not mention my most excellent wiki entry.

Texasbantam - I am sorry at the substandard posting that's been going on in your thread.

Here is a guide, penned by my very good self, to the DCF process in London. I hope you find it informative.

many thanks,

Poiteen

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Maven - I'm surprised at you. You did not mention my most excellent wiki entry.

Texasbantam - I am sorry at the substandard posting that's been going on in your thread.

Here is a guide, penned by my very good self, to the DCF process in London. I hope you find it informative.

many thanks,

Poiteen

Yes, I suck, but can I plead work-induced forgetfulness?

Now I will slink off and perform self-flagellation in penance.

[tracymike 0]

Hello everyone!

I'm a new registered user (today).. but have been lurking for a while! I'll fill in a timeline later on today.

I'm a UK resident, my wife is originally from Texas (she's on a 2-year spousal visa, due to expire in November), and we're both in the UK.

We filed my I-130 April 28th with the US Embassy in London, and they took the credit card payment within a week.. now my questions are - is this normal for them to take the payment out so quickly? And am I correct in assuming that because they've taken the payment, the I-130 has been approved, and should now wait for the DS-230??

My wife is desperate to get back home, so if I could give her an answer it'd make my life a lot quieter (for now anyway

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[tracymike 0]

Hello everyone!

I'm a new registered user (today).. but have been lurking for a while! I'll fill in a timeline later on today.

I'm a UK resident, my wife is originally from Texas (she's on a 2-year spousal visa, due to expire in November), and we're both in the UK.

We filed my I-130 April 28th with the US Embassy in London, and they took the credit card payment within a week.. now my questions are - is this normal for them to take the payment out so quickly? And am I correct in assuming that because they've taken the payment, the I-130 has been approved, and should now wait for the DS-230??

My wife is desperate to get back home, so if I could give her an answer it'd make my life a lot quieter (for now anyway

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

hi I have no answer!!! Just wanted to say hi. I also was in England married but returned to file from Ohio. I sympathize with your wife. lol At least you two are together.