DCF in London

[gingerbeacon 0]

Hi

I am sure all of this has been asked before but I cant find the answers without confusing my self.

I am an irish/british dual citizen and my wife is a US/German dual citizen. We are living in London. We ant to move to LA shortly as my wife misses the US. Is the DCF the best way to go in London.

Any idea how long the process takes and what do I need to do to begin?

I am filling out the 1 130 form and it askes me for an address for when we move to the US. I dont have one yet, should I use her brothers in NYC?

Does she need to have a job before we apply?

After I send this in should I be doing anything else like background check or medical?

Can anyone pelase describe the entire process to me and how long it takes?

Also I did have a us social security number about 10 years ago when I was there on a J1, I have no idea what it is now. What do I do about that?

thanks to anyone who can help answer any of the above.

[Christi85 86]

Good luck in your application!

First of all, you need to establish if your wife (the USC) is eligible to file DCF in London on your behalf. It's the USC who files the initial petition on behalf of their foreign relative. If your wife has been living in London constinuously for the past 6 months minimum and has a legal right to be in the UK through a valid UK visa (most visas are accepted nowadays, except tourist and student visas), then she can file for you in London.

With regards to your questions:

Any idea how long the process takes and what do I need to do to begin?

Currently it takes between 5-6 months start to finish. You begin by your USC wife filing the I-130 form on your behalf and all the accompanying documentation that's required. The process is explained in detail on the US Embassy London website (under Immigrant Visas).

I am filling out the 1 130 form and it askes me for an address for when we move to the US. I dont have one yet, should I use her brothers in NYC?

You can do that and change it later, or simply put "not known yet".

Does she need to have a job before we apply?

Not necessarily (a job in the US that is), but she needs to be able to demonstrate that she has the means to "sponsor" you. That is, either a job in the US that pays over the 125% of the poverty line for your household size (google I-864P for current poverty guidelines), or liquidable assets (such as bank savings) that are at least 3 times the difference between the 125% and her US income if the income does not cover the threshold. If the income is 0, then you need 3 times the 125% for your household size. Assets don't have to be hers alone. They can be jointly held by her and you, or even be yours alone. She also has the option to use a joint sponsor who is based in the US and qualifies through their income or assets. All this is explained in detail on the I-864 instructions, which I recommend you download and read carefully.

Important detail: even with a joint sponsor, your wife will always be your primary sponsor and she is required to fill out and sign an I-864 form for you, even if her income/assets aren't sufficient.

After I send this in should I be doing anything else like background check or medical?

You will need to obtain police certificates from every country where you have lived for at least 1 year after the age of 16 as they need to have an image of your criminal background. You will also need to undergo a full medical examination (including chest Xray and blood tests for certain contagious diseases) and review of your vaccination records. This can only be done at the Embassy's appointed clinic and currently costs £200, or more if you are missing any vaccines and you decide to have them there and then (the other option is for you to have them at your GP after the medical).

Can anyone pelase describe the entire process to me and how long it takes?

It's quite long and almost impossible to describe briefly. The Wiki on the top of this page (look for the DCF wiki) and the US Embassy in London website explain the process in depth.

Like I said, it's currently taking 5-6 months start to finish.

Also I did have a us social security number about 10 years ago when I was there on a J1, I have no idea what it is now. What do I do about that?

Sorry, I don't know that. Hopefully someone else will be able to answer this question.

Edited February 10, 2011 by Christi85

[gingerbeacon 0]

that you very much that clears up most of my questions. Do you happen to know if stock in a Us company would be enough for her to sponsor me, assuming that its value is enough?

[Christi85 86]

that you very much that clears up most of my questions. Do you happen to know if stock in a Us company would be enough for her to sponsor me, assuming that its value is enough?

Yes, it should be, as long as she can prove that the amount it's worth can be liquidated within a year.

[Anh map 2,098]

Start here: Social Security Admin website. >> http://www.ssa.gov/ss5doc/