Pete Rogers

Finally have my interview date at the US Embassy in London, and I'm running through the checklist of documents needed. I've noticed a discrepancy and can't get a straight answer from the Embassy. In the initial link on the interview confirmation (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview.html), it states: You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC. However, on the link it sends you to for a full breakdown of required documents (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/LND-London.html), under Family-based visa applications, it says: Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents: For family-based visa applications: The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s. Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card). Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails). If you are married: Your original marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy. A certified copy from the issuing authority is acceptable. My wife is a US citizen, and has multiple times confirmed her current address. She has submitted the tax returns etc previously — do I need to bring a copy of them to my interview or not? The two links seems to contradict themselves. Also, for proof of domicile (if that is even needed, as the wording makes it sound like it only applies of the petitioner themselves is an immigrant), is a State ID acceptable? Reason being, her US passport hasn't been updated since we got married, so still has her maiden name and previous address on it, and we're worried it wouldn't be accepted. Again, all this feels redundant, because if they had any doubts she didn't live in the US, we wouldn't have made it this far. But I want to be 100% I have everything before I get to my interview. Any insights are welcome. Thanks

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. We've decided to get married first, then do the CR-1 visa. The turnaround time is about the same, from what I can tell, but it means I can hit the ground running when I get there. Thanks again!!

That's encouraging, thank you! I've seen a lot of websites that quote up to 3 years for the CR-1, compared to 12-18 months for the K-1. Shame there's nowhere that gives definitive, up to date timeframes (I guess that's hard to do, because every application will be different in terms of what's needed to progress it, I imagine) but if they're both roughly the same in terms of processing time, and if the CR-1 ends with a green card and work permit, that seems like a logical way to go. As you say, earning foreign income might not affect things, but I would be unable to pay myself a wage from it all the same while on a K-1 visa, so it's still little use, in practical terms.

Hi, My fiancee and I are looking to start the K-! visa process so I can move to the US. It's obviously a lot to process, and one thing I hadn't really considered was my work situation. A bit of reading online, and I see I would need to apply for an EAD once I land to be legally allowed to work while waiting for my AoS/green card to go through... and this seemingly takes a while to get. I'm currently self-employed in the UK, and have my own limited company. I'm an author and make a living from sales/book royalties. It's not possible for me to not earn money, as sales happen simply because books are available online, so presumably, I would have to wait to migrate my business over to the US. My concern is that with my UK company earning UK money, it would still violate the conditions of my visa once I was living in the US. Even if I'm not physically writing (which, until I hit publish and start earning money on the book, can easily be classed as a hobby, not work), I'm still earning money from book sales. Can anyone please advise what options I have here? I understand a spousal visa would negate this issue, but it will also likely take far longer to process... TIA

Thank you for this. That's what VJ says in the guide here, but with so many other sources saying something else, I figured it was best to check. Do I still need to put the details of the US Embassy on there, like it says on the VJ template?

Hi, Can anyone please advise me exactly what I need to include in the letter of intent (as the beneficiary) for the K-1 visa? The guide on this site gives just very basic, official language to use, but looking at examples on pretty much any immigration law firm's website, they say you have to include a full breakdown of how you met, which is confusing me. I don't want to leave anything out and risk doing it wrong, but there seems to be too many variations online to know what's right and what isn't. I know at some point we both have to provide proof of a relationship — photos, boarding passes, receipts etc... is that part of this, too, or does that come later? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my earlier question. I have another, if you would indulge me: My partner and I are getting married in July over in the US. Upon my return, she will file the petition to begin the CR-1 visa application process. Her concern is that legally changing all her documentation to her new married name after doing so will have an adverse effect on the application. I didn't think it would, as it's my application, not hers, and obviously my details aren't changing, but I thought it best to check with the hive mind here to be sure 🙂 TIA

I'm an author — my "work" is literally typing on a Word document! Haha! How would they know, just out of interest? I assume you mean I wouldn't be allowed to get a part-time job tending bar or something while I was there? I always travel with my laptop, mostly for Netflix etc... surely I would be allowed to write for an hour or two without causing problems?

Thank you for this. I didn't need the B2 because the UK is eligible for the VWP. I'm visiting at the end of June for a week (which I was doing anyway, before we found out about the pending new arrival), and that's been approved by ESTA already. I won't be risking staying for more than 2 or 3 weeks in the future — I'll time it strategically with important stages etc. I still have a permanent UK address, and I own a Ltd. company that's registered here, so I think that's fairly solid evidence of ties to the UK, to appease Customs. Not even sure when the marriage will happen yet, so there's potentially a ways to go before we're even in a position to start the CR-1 process. I fully understand the reasons why, it just sucks that there are no allowances for genuine cases where a biological child is involved. It's going to kill me not being there during the first months and potentially years of its life 😞

Hi, I hope someone can help me here. I'm a UK citizen, and my girlfriend is a US citizen. She is pregnant and I intend moving out to be with her. We're looking to marry so we can begin the CR-1 application process (as that's the only option available to us — I'm self-employed and have no family in the US). I fully understand my situation is a) far from unique, and b) no reason to expedite the process. My immediate issues are around how, and how often, I can travel to be with her while the Visa application is ongoing. I currently have ESTA approval to travel via the VWP, which is valid for 60 months, so I have the option to come and go as a tourist. I wouldn't want to stay anywhere close to the full 90-day entitlement, because I don't want it to look suspect to anyone. I'm not trying to cheat the system or do anything dubious, I just want to be with my family as much as possible until such time as I can live there, y'know. Are there any situations, circumstances, or provisions that would allow me to prolong my stay while travelling on the equivalent of the tourism Visa? I've seen mention of things like the I-601 Hardship Application, but I can't find anything that isn't ambiguous to me that explains exact criteria for such things. Ultimately, I'm resigned to the fact I will have to live separated from my soon-to-be wife and pending baby for God-knows-how long, but I'm just hoping there are ways to minimise the damage that are completely above board. TIA