US Citizen living in UK, married to Irish citizen

[LisaB586 0]

Hi All!

I was hoping someone could advise! I am a US citizen living in Northern Ireland on a student visa finishing up my PhD. My fiance is an Irish citizen who goes to university in the Republic of Ireland. We're getting married in Ireland on Dec 20th and I was wondering if anyone knew if I was eligible for a DCF? According to the US Embassy in Ireland website, they no longer accept DCF. I'm not even sure I am eligible as my visa is in the UK, not Ireland. The same seems to be true in the London embassy. Would it therefore be advisable to continue with the K3 (I-130/I-129) or attempt this Chicago Lockbox?

I'm returning the United States to find work next August 2014. If I begin the spousal visa petition at the end of December 2013 when we are legally married would it be within the realms of hope that we'll have a visa for him by August 2014?

Is it better to marry in the United States first?

Many thanks for all of your help! This is a bit overwhelming.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hello!

It's a shame you're not both living in NI - then you'd be able to do DCF. All NI applicants for K1/CR-1/IR-1 go through London, you see. You're right that Dublin doesn't do DCF anymore as far as I'm aware (and Belfast doesn't do that kind of visa at all).

Although, the London embassy does only say that the USC petitioner needs to live in the UK - they don't specify that the beneficiary needs to be there. http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/uscis/i130filing.html I think you should email them and check (USCIS.London@uscis.dhs.gov), because if you can put your I-130 through them instead of Chicago, you'll shave off an immense amount of time (think 1 month or less for approval instead of 9). In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think this should be a legit way for you to go.

Non-DCF spouse petition & visas take about a year to process, so if you're marrying in December and filing right after, you'll be looking at next Christmas before you'll be done. If you want to reduce this, then obviously marrying sooner would be a way to go.

It doesn't matter what country you want to marry in. Only K1 applicants (the fiancé visa one) have to marry in the US.

Edited August 20, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Darnell 8,478]

IF, after marriage, she moves in with you, in NI, then (I THINK) you can file DCF to London.

[lost_at_sea 995]

IF, after marriage, she moves in with you, in NI, then (I THINK) you can file DCF to London.

I don't think it matters where the beneficiary lives. They should just forward the approved petition to the relevant local embassy.

As I say - I would email them and clarify.