Newbie with some NornIrish questions...

[LaurelS 0]

Hey everyone! I am brand new to this site, but I am already SO thankful for it because there is no way we can afford a lawyer right now...hah. Anyway, I'm not sure where to post this so if it needs to be moved, feel free.

My fiance Justin and I just got engaged at the beginning of November (we've been dating almost 3 years). He's from Northern Ireland, which is pretty freakin' fantastic, but has already started to cause some confusion for us in our little journey.

We're still trying to figure out which visa to do, and are leaning towards the K1 (even though it is more expensive...blah). I started to fill out the I-129F the other day (for practice), and that's where the confusion settled in. If there is only one small box for the "country" option, for instance, is it better to put Northern Ireland or United Kingdom? Is "UK" acceptable? Do they even care? I'm in graduate school for counseling so obviously I have a tendency to overthink everything. Please forgive.

Also, when Justin got an internship visa about a year ago he was interviewed in Belfast, but it's looking like the K1 will require him to go to London...twice? (one for medical.) What? That's totally lame, USCIS.

Any other Northern Irishmen/women out there who can give us some tips? We're terrified and frustrated already (but determined at the same time...it's a good combo).

Laurel

[Pooky 3,807]

Hey everyone! I am brand new to this site, but I am already SO thankful for it because there is no way we can afford a lawyer right now...hah. Anyway, I'm not sure where to post this so if it needs to be moved, feel free.

My fiance Justin and I just got engaged at the beginning of November (we've been dating almost 3 years). He's from Northern Ireland, which is pretty freakin' fantastic, but has already started to cause some confusion for us in our little journey.

We're still trying to figure out which visa to do, and are leaning towards the K1 (even though it is more expensive...blah). I started to fill out the I-129F the other day (for practice), and that's where the confusion settled in. If there is only one small box for the "country" option, for instance, is it better to put Northern Ireland or United Kingdom? Is "UK" acceptable? Do they even care? I'm in graduate school for counseling so obviously I have a tendency to overthink everything. Please forgive.

Also, when Justin got an internship visa about a year ago he was interviewed in Belfast, but it's looking like the K1 will require him to go to London...twice? (one for medical.) What? That's totally lame, USCIS.

Any other Northern Irishmen/women out there who can give us some tips? We're terrified and frustrated already (but determined at the same time...it's a good combo).

Laurel

The "country" is the United Kingdom, which includes Northern Ireland.

As for the Visa route you'd be best taking, I'll let someone more knowledgeable than me answer that one.

And your comment about the USCIS ... join the club.

Good luck on your Visajourney

[LaurelS 0]

Thanks so much!

That does help. I think we've definitely decided on the K1, so hopefully having at least one solidified detail of the process will remove some stress...for a while, anyway.

I'm sure I'll be back often with plenty more questions!

[JoannaV 174]

The Embassy used to allow people to do the medical on the same day as the interview but that is no longer the case. Pretty recently there was a Northern Irelander who had his medical on the same trip as the interview. However, I think this was a one-off exception and it's certainly not something you can rely on. Travelling to London twice will be a hassle but all worth it in the end. If money is an issue then you might want to consider getting the bus, although I guess flying could be cheaper.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

The Embassy used to allow people to do the medical on the same day as the interview but that is no longer the case. Pretty recently there was a Northern Irelander who had his medical on the same trip as the interview. However, I think this was a one-off exception and it's certainly not something you can rely on. Travelling to London twice will be a hassle but all worth it in the end. If money is an issue then you might want to consider getting the bus, although I guess flying could be cheaper.

JoannaV -

Bus?

[LaurelS 0]

Thanks guys! We think he will end up flying to London twice, but that's ok...better to be absolutely sure so we can get the ball rolling!

[TracyTN 237]

As to 'why London and not Belfast'; consulates (London) issue immigrant visas, not embassies (Belfast). And while the K1 is a non immigrant visa, they are administratively treated as immigrant visas at consulates.