Open K1 Application for my Fiance, Also Applying for Fiancee UK Visa for me. Does This Matter?

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

Hi!

 

So my fiance and I have just about had it with US immigration and waiting for an interview and pulled the trigger yesterday on applying for a UK fiancee visa for me to move here. We are basically thinking we will just go with whichever country comes through with the visa first. My question is, will have both applications open at the same time hurt our chances in either direction? I am thinking no since one visa would be for me and one visa would be for him, it is not like we are each seeking two visas. 

 

If we had to make the choice, we would be okay with cancelling the US visa at this point, but also don't really want to lose all the progress and want to go with our original plan. What do you guys think? Will we run into trouble with two open applications or will we be okay with out original plan?

 

Thanks!

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Have you found during your research a website that will give you the estimated adjudication timeline for a UK visa? That would be my first step? Second would be to be in a FB or find a web site like VJ for UK processing and get "boots on the ground" knowledge of what you are facing. There are so many factors to consider then sitting down in disgust with what COVID has done to the visa process in the US but how has it affected the UK visa process. So many questions to answer before you pull the trigger but that's just me thinking aloud. Good luck and stay engaged. 

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

7 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Have you found during your research a website that will give you the estimated adjudication timeline for a UK visa? That would be my first step? Second would be to be in a FB or find a web site like VJ for UK processing and get "boots on the ground" knowledge of what you are facing. There are so many factors to consider then sitting down in disgust with what COVID has done to the visa process in the US but how has it affected the UK visa process. So many questions to answer before you pull the trigger but that's just me thinking aloud. Good luck and stay engaged. 

Thanks for the response! So yes, we did a lot of research on the UK visa process before we actually spent the money (significantly higher than the US) and I was able to get a biometrics appointment for September 16th. We are now working on gathering all of our documents for the application (similar to the US). The timeline after that is 15-60 working days for a decision and according to the UK visa subreddit people have been providing their timelines and that has been accurate. We are definitely going to stay engaged and are prepared to wait it out either way but just think having the option to go in either direction is best/quickest way to get it done. I haven't seen anything that would imply having both applications open would be a problem,  especially since we are already approved by USCIS on paper so if this ever came up it would be during his interview and if he made it to that point before we had the UK visa we would void that one anyway, but I also think this is a unique scenario so I just want to be sure

Edited August 10, 2020 by Sarahbmalvin

[Greenbaum 12,258]

2 minutes ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

Thanks for the response! So yes, we did a lot of research on the UK visa process before we actually spent the money (significantly higher than the US) and I was able to get a biometrics appointment for September 16th. We are now working on gathering all of our documents for the application (similar to the US). The timeline after that is 15-60 working days for a decision and according to the UK visa subreddit people have been providing their timelines and that has been accurate. We are definitely going to stay engaged and are prepared to wait it out either way but just think having the option to go in either direction is best/quickest way to get it done. I haven't seen anything that would imply having both applications open would b a problem, but I also think this is a unique scenario so I just want to be sure

I applaud you for taking the time to research. Many make emotional decisions at times and regret it in the end. I can't answer your original question on what affect the UK application will have on the US version so I will step aside and allow others with more experience answer your question. All the best.

[Boiler 43,429]

No impact on UK and UK has always been super quick compared to the US.

 

I recollect when I was going through this an Indian friend was bringing his wife over from India, normal processing time was a month but you could pay extra to get it done quicker. Mine to the US was over a year.

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

11 minutes ago, Boiler said:

No impact on UK and UK has always been super quick compared to the US.

 

I recollect when I was going through this an Indian friend was bringing his wife over from India, normal processing time was a month but you could pay extra to get it done quicker. Mine to the US was over a year.

That’s great news! And yeah seems like it’s a lot quicker and more efficient. We are going on a year with the US (applied last September). I applied for U.K. yesterday, was able to book my biometrics right away for 9/16 and it 15 working days was the “longer” option. 

[doggieandsam 765]

Wow, did not know that UK fiancee visa processing is that quick. Kudos to you for researching! The only thing I would add is, if the UK visa comes through quickly and you move there and if you go ahead and get married there, then obviously your US K-1 will no longer be applicable since you will have already been married by that time.

[JFH 12,189]

The UK process is quicker but more expensive and stricter. No co-sponsors allowed and no waivers for ineligibilities (as we discovered when we were denied). My brother successfully brought his wife into the UK and she has just obtained British citizenship. Overall a smooth process, from what he told me. 

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

1 hour ago, JFH said:

The UK process is quicker but more expensive and stricter. No co-sponsors allowed and no waivers for ineligibilities (as we discovered when we were denied). My brother successfully brought his wife into the UK and she has just obtained British citizenship. Overall a smooth process, from what he told me. 

Hoping ours goes smoothly as well! 🤞🏻 As far as the requirements (financial, relationship, housing) go it seems we have all we need so hopefully it goes off without a hitch. 

[HRQX 4,145]

13 hours ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

We are basically thinking we will just go with whichever country comes through with the visa first.

My money is on the UK visa coming through faster. The UK and Ireland proclamation is in effect indefinitely and those few K-1 applicants that happen to be exempt to it are being stonewalled by the US Embassy in London:

 

Edited August 10, 2020 by HRQX

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

9 hours ago, HRQX said:

My money is on the UK visa coming through faster. The UK and Ireland proclamation is in effect indefinitely and those few K-1 applicants that happen to be exempt to it are being stonewalled by the US Embassy in London:

 

Yeah I would bet on the UK as well. If you look at the UK visa subreddit it’s almost all positive news of people getting approved with ridiculously quick timelines. 

[Haydnator 268]

The only issue I could foresee is that Border officers in the US would see that he had a K1 petition at one point If he tries to enter the US to visit. That would maybe prompt some more scrutiny on him. But they must deal with this situation from time to time, so as long as he's honest with them, Its probably not a big deal.

Edited August 11, 2020 by Haydnator

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.