uk to usa SpencerC

[Srckmc 2]

Hi, my wife and I wish to move from our current home in the UK to my wife's hometown of Philadelphia. She has full US citizenship as she lived there her entire life until moving to the UK in 2010. My children (18 and 15 years old) and I were born and raised in the UK and they will be moving with us. We considered hiring a lawyer to help with the visa process but having spoken to a couple of law firms, we were shocked at the exorbitant fees they charge. And that's how we discovered VisaJourney! We've researched the visa process and have a basic understanding of what we need to do and would like some advice and tips on how to get through the visa process as quickly and painlessly as possible. We'd also be grateful for advice on any pitfalls we should avoid! 

[Crazy Cat 39,256]

4 minutes ago, Srckmc said:

Hi, my wife and I wish to move from our current home in the UK to my wife's hometown of Philadelphia. She has full US citizenship as she lived there her entire life until moving to the UK in 2010. My children (18 and 15 years old) and I were born and raised in the UK and they will be moving with us. We considered hiring a lawyer to help with the visa process but having spoken to a couple of law firms, we were shocked at the exorbitant fees they charge. And that's how we discovered VisaJourney! We've researched the visa process and have a basic understanding of what we need to do and would like some advice and tips on how to get through the visa process as quickly and painlessly as possible. We'd also be grateful for advice on any pitfalls we should avoid! 

Direct Consular Filing in London would be the fastest way.......   http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*moved from "work visas" to "DCF" as this is the most appropriate category for the OP's situation*~*~*

[Jorge V 195]

There's a UK user on here, @Sylv, who is currently going through the DCF process at the London embassy. He's been responsive to questions and generally active on the board. If you look through the DCF forum you'll find several posts by him. It couldn't hurt to reach out to him for some guidance since he has the freshest knowledge regarding DCF in the UK.

 

And as others mentioned, a lawyer shouldn't be needed unless the beneficiaries have previously run afoul of the US (think visa overstays or criminal activity). DCF is he fastest way to immigrate to the US, clocking in at around 3 months. The non DCF route takes 12-14 months.

Edited May 11, 2018 by Jorge V

[TNJ17 1,329]

London has DCF and it should be fast and painless. Your case sounds like a pretty straight forward case, just fill out paperwork and submit it, no need to spend all that money in lawyer fees. Save it for USCIS fees. Good luck.

[TNJ17 1,329]

Also it’s worth mentioning that should you encounter any issues filling out paperwork, you come back here and search the forums and ask people. Someone here will always have an answer for whatever question. 

[Paulonto 29]

29 minutes ago, Jorge V said:

There's a UK user on here, @Sylv, who is currently going through the DCF process at the London embassy. .

Hi! 

I'm so glad you found this forum Srckmc, It has helped me so much!

 

The guys are right, DCF is the best and quickest route for you, without a doubt, and forget these lawyer fees, they make mistake just like everyone else, only theirs are expensive!

My wife has been in the UK since 2009, but I have no children. It's basically the same route though.

 

Check my posts, and then ask what you need on this DCF part of the forums, and if i can help in anyway, I will, just like all the others 

(I keep my signature updated)

 

I wish you and you lil family the best journey!!!

[JoannaV 173]

This is where you'll start for DCF through London: https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/government-agencies/dhs/uscis/i130filing-html/

As it says on that page, give London's instructions priority over the general instructions or instructions from other consulates. And if in any doubt, ask here. But then check the answer is related to London DCF. ;-)

[Srckmc 2]

Thank you all so much! You've been incredibly helpful and supportive! I had no idea about the DCF option till this week but I'll definitely be using this route. I really appreciate all of you for taking an active interest in me and my family 😊