Jinny49

Thank you!

One more question (for now...) is it just my spouse who needs to fill out the form DS-0230 (Part I), or do I need to as well?

Since our instructions got lost in the mail we're going at this half-blind now!!

Thanks.

So we called today (couldn't wait any longer) and it turns out IT GOT LOST IN THE MAIL. Aaarrggh!

The guy was very helpful and explained everything we need to do next and which forms are needed now (so no need to email after all!!), but now I can't find form DS-2001 anywhere. Anyone know where I can download this from??

Thanks!

Thanks very much GeorgiaPeach. Sounds like a nightmare to contact them, but if we haven't heard by Friday I'll have to do something - you know this would be the one and only time something has gotten lost in the mail...

Thanks again.

Actually, just out of interest, once you sent off your next set of docs, how long was it before the interview? Thanks.

Hi all.

My husband (non-USC) and I (USC) filed through the London consulate on Feb 27th, and received our NOA1 on March 11 (with date of approval March 8th).

According to our letter we should hear within 8 weeks of the approval date (so March 8th), but so far... nothing. The 8 weeks is up at the end of next week, so if we haven't heard anything by then I guess I'll have to call or email them. I wondered if anyone else who has taken the DCF London route could share their experiences of how long it took to receive the next packet, and also any experiences of phoning/emailing to follow up?

Thanks!

Ok, thanks. One final question: My parents live in the UK, but they have a bank account with substantial funds, as well as property, in the States (they're in the US about 30% of the time). I really don't want to have to ask them to co-sponsor us, but I might have to - but is this an option since they don't live in the US permanently? I'm finding conflicting information on this. My mom is a USC, if that makes any difference whatsoever.

Thanks for your answers guys. Nich-nick, I'm a DCF person (I've updated my status accordingly as it was indeed wrong - apologies for any confusion).

I'm sure people have tried the loan approach before, but how will the consulate know? I certainly can't provide a year's worth of statements as my accounts have only been open for 3 months - as I said, I've lived in the UK my whole life and I am currently preparing for our move. In addition, I bring money over in chunks ranging from $5k to $20k anyway, since I'm moving it from the UK; it doesn't make sense to deposit it in dribs and drabs and I want to keep track of what I've sent over.

Cash is the only 'asset' I have - that and a car, which I understand I'm not allowed to use.

From your answers I see that I'll have to do a good job of demonstrating my UK income and convincing them I'll be bringing that over here. Nich-nick, your idea of a signed letter from my parents is also superb - I will definitely do that.

Hi,

I'm really struggling to find answers to my AOS questions, so I really hope someone out there can help me...

I am the USC, but have lived in the UK since birth.

Since I have no tax returns to show, I am planning to use assets, which I understand basically equates to $56k in cash. (I will also demonstrate my UK income, as I am self-employed and will migrate all my business to the US once we move - I know they probably won't accept that on its own, but I figure it can't hurt to have it in addition to the assets!)

I do have a US bank account, and we are saving like crazy, but my question is this: could my parents dump, say, $20k into my account, only for me to return it to them once the process is complete?

I really hope someone can give me some good answers on this (any other ideas are also welcome)! Thanks in advance

Thanks Nich-Nick. Yeah the sites kept sending me round in circles too - it's so frustrating!

Does anyone have any ideas about my second question?

Thanks.

Hi all!

Got a couple of questions I wonder if people can help with.

1. According to the Guide for DCF, in some instances embassies are ok with you sending all supporting docs (police cert., birth cert. and affidavit of support) with the initial form. I wondered if anyone has done this, and what their experience with it was.

2. Re. the affidavit of support, I am the US party, but I've lived in the UK since birth (I'm a dual citizen) - as such, I have no tax returns to show. I understand that I can use assets, and that these must equate to roughly $56k. I have some savings in the US, and I also have a car that I bought in October 2012 for $17k - can I use this towards it, and if so, how do I prove how much it's worth? Do I need to take depreciation into account?!

3. I thought we would be interviewed together, but having looked at the guide again I think it may just be him. Can anyone advise on what the correct version is?

Thanks for your help everyone - it really is invaluable to us to have a resource like this. The embassy and US gov. sites are so dense and confusing...!

Thanks for all that info - to everyone who has replied. I see now where we've been waylaid - I had no idea the DCF option didn't follow the same route as the regular spousal visa. From here I'll be moving over to the DCF forum it seems!

Thanks again everyone - it's been really helpful!

It's a lot of questions and I'm going out very shortly.

About the time...I guess you didn't follow what I was explaining about how long it takes to get a petition approved.

Let's say Vermont Service Center since I don't know who will process your case. Possible days K1

Petition approval- 186 days

Getting through NVC to Embassy- 15 days

Visa application In London to approval- 75 days

Total to be free to enter US- 276 days or 9.2 months

Spouse visa by filing DCF in London

Petition approval- 16 days

Getting through NVC to Embassy- 0 days (you skip that step with DCF)

Visa application in London to approval- 75 days

Total to be free to enter US- 91 days or 3 months (Let's even say 4 months for extra measure)

Timelines vary by how prepared you are and how well you read instructions, and sometimes just luck. If using a lawyer, expect longer. But the above is a current comparison with DCF because you qualify by living in the UK, but only for a spouse visa so you would have to marry first either in the US or UK.

That's really interesting, because it's not in line with the information we were given before (not doubting you by the way - I've been reading a ton of other threads since receiving your reply and they all agree with you). I feel like we now need to rethink the whole process, which is a bit of a pain - but if we get over the States quicker then it's worth it.

Thanks Nich-Nick.

Well air your concerns and see if what "you heard" is valid. There's a lot of screwy advice out there including some you've gotten in this thread. Also a post in the UK forum might be a good start because going through London is a different situation than many other countries when you start asking about the fiancé Affidavit of Support or relationship evidence for fiance's presented at the interview in London. Very different. So weigh in on British folks who have already been through the process as part of your research.

Good idea - will do. Can I ask what advice you feel is 'screwy' from the above posts? You seem to be quite well-versed in the area - do you have any advice on the other questions I asked (since most will apply for either route)?

We've been told that the spousal route will take longer before he can actually come to the US initially, and it's important (for family reasons) that we get out there as soon as possible, so that's one of the main issues with the spousal route.

Thanks.

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the speedy answers so far - they're definitely useful.

Keep them coming!

Nick, we've heard mixed reports on the spousal route, but I've certainly taken on board what you've said as well, and will look into it again.

Thanks again!

Hi all,

Just about to start the K-1 process, and I wondered if anyone out there can help with the following questions, which I haven't been able to find answers to on the forums:

1. Will they ask for proof of residence/prior employment for my fiance? He has been in continuous employment for the past five years, but he doesn't have any of the paperwork left for some of his prior jobs and apartments.

2. Does it matter that he has had five different addresses in the last five years? I'm guessing the answer to this is no, but on paper it makes him look like a bit of a nomad (he's moved at the end of his yearly lease each year) so I thought it would be a question worth asking!

3. Will they contact my fiance's work? He doesn't want to jeopardize his job until he's ready to leave it (once the visa has been approved).

4. We both live in the UK - I am a dual UK/US citizen and have lived there since birth. My fiance is Latvian and has been living in the UK for 7+ years. We've been together for 3+ years and obviously have plenty of evidence to this effect. I have photos of us that I can send, and I thought I would also send bills to our shared address (unfortunately we don't have any joint ones with both our names on, but we have separate bills from the same timeframe with our names on to the same address). Is it necessary to send more than that? It seems like overkill to send email correspondence, travel documents etc. since we haven't been travelling to see one another (but rather have been on vacation together), as with most of the fiance cases. What do people think about this? Is it just a case of the more evidence we can send, the better? Also, would a written, signed document from my parents confirming our relationship count?

5. I do not have any US income/tax returns to show because I have always lived in the UK (US citizens who were born and have always resided abroad do not have to file tax returns unless they are earning US income). I do have US bank accounts, and have savings of $20k in the US. Will this be sufficient proof that I can support my fiance?

6. (Last one, I promise!) We originally wanted to get a lawyer to help us through the process, but having read a few posts on that on the forum, and received outlandish quotes from a few lawyers, we're starting to re-think that. I wondered what other people's experiences with lawyers are in this regard? Is it worth the money for the peace of mind, or is it easy enough to go it alone? Apart from the fact that we both live in the UK and I am a dual citizen, I believe our case is straightforward (no criminal infractions or anything like that).

Before people ask, the reason we have decided to go the K-1 route rather than get married in the UK is because we understand the K-1 process to be the quickest way to get him approved to be in the US, and because we want to get married in front of my family, who are all in the US.

Thanks so much for your help guys - I know that was a lengthy one but I really appreciate your advice!

Jinny