Sponsor difficulty

[michael_jones86 0]

Hi everyone,

I'm very new to this and have a question regarding sponsorship.

I am a UK citizen and I have been married to my wife (US citizen) for nearly 4 years and we've lived in the UK for the whole time (she's had UK spouse visas).

We are now planning on moving to the US in January because I have a job offer but it seems to me that I need my wife to sponsor me getting a green card. The problem with this is that she's been living in the UK for nearly 4 years and so there's no way she can sponsor me.

Is our only option to get somebody currently in the US (a friend/relative) to sponsor me so that I can apply for my green card?

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks,

Mike

[littlej 23]

if you have a job offer can't the employer sponsor you for visas? or have i misunderstood the question?

[Penguin_ie 6,000]

Yes, any US citizen or greencard holder living in the US can be joint sponsor; they need not be related to you or live in the same city as you.

That being said, get a move on with the I-130 petition if you are going the spousal visa route, even filing DCF (directly with the embassy) it can take several months, you are cutting it fine for a January 2014 move.

[michael_jones86 0]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll have to ask my employer to sponsor me as my wife doesn't earn a US income as she's living in the UK with me.

[Penguin_ie 6,000]

There is one other option: if you, as a couple, have significant savings, you can use that. You would need x3 the income, os if it is just you and her, no kids, at least $60'000.

[michael_jones86 0]

Yeah we hardly have any savings! We will be able to support ourselves as we're going to be living rent free as part of my job and we're hoping my wife will have a job waiting for her by the time we move. My wife is currently a teacher and so is planning on searching for jobs when she breaks up for the summer holidays.

I have no doubt we'll be able to support ourselves so it's a bit frustrating that we have to get a sponsor when the very reason we're moving over is for a job.

I guess I'll just have to find somebody very wealthy to sponsor me

[aaron2020 11,651]

Has your wife been filing US tax returns on her UK income as a teacher?

[michael_jones86 0]

No she hasn't because she's lived in the UK for nearly 4 years (paying UK tax). Why would she fill in US tax returns?

[Penguin_ie 6,000]

She has to- she won't have to PAY taxes, but she needs to file tax returns with the IRS, even if living and earning abroad. She can back-file , and should get on to that now so it won;t delay the visa when you are ready.

[michael_jones86 0]

Ok great. Thanks for that!

Do you know of any good websites for information for people in my situation (i.e. both immigrant and citizen living abroad)?

[The Mean Lady 604]

Ok great. Thanks for that!

Do you know of any good websites for information for people in my situation (i.e. both immigrant and citizen living abroad)?

This one?

I don't understand...

[NikLR 13,234]

Is your work sponsoring you to move over? Are they getting you a visa or are you trying to get a green card via marriage and then working once you arrive?

Also I suggest doing DCF via the London Embassy vs a normal CR1 visa if you are doing the spousal route. Your work may not want to sponsor you for a spousal visa as it's a large commitment. Does she have family or friends in the USA which would be willing to sign the Affidavit of Support.

[DirtyHarry 5]

Get your employer to file an H1B for you. Its a lot easier and quicker coming from a corporate and their lawyer will deal with the system. It will take a few months for you to get a GC through DCF. I doubt your company will wait that long.

[aaron2020 11,651]

The H1-b limit has already been reached. The next time his employer can apply is April 2014.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

One other thing to consider before you move is have your wife apply for UK citizenship if she is eligible based on how long she has been in the country etc.

If she can become a UK citizen before you move (and don't worry it won't affect her US citizenship) it will make is a lot easier on both of you if you ever want to move back to the UK in the future.

It's become a lot harder - lots more rules and financial levels to meet - to have the spouse of a UK citizen move to the UK.