Know When To Start The Paperwork Process For The Big Move Back to USA

Calling all you pros who have been there done that.......there are allot of informational timeline related topics on filing paperwork and how long it takes to get processed, but I am struggling to find anything regarding WHEN TO START FILING??

My husband and I are planning on moving to Michigan at the end of 2007 or very early 2008.  He is British, I am American and have already obtained my Idefinite Leave To Remain. It's hard to gauge when we should think about starting the paperwork process.  If anyone could advise as to when we should get the ball rolling, I would appreciate it! 

Thanks!

Lisa

Sounds like you will be able to DCF (direct consular filing) and submit your paperwork to London, so that cuts the time down quite a bit. Once you receive your visa it is good for 6 months, so I would say that if you want to move the end of 2007 I would submit early spring or so. We are currently in the middle of the visa process, but I do not have ILR yet, so we had to go through the USCIS which is adding some time. Looks like it will take us a year, if all goes well!

Good luck 

Thanks for your reply!  I would be interested in knowing exactly how long it takes for you to get all your stuff processed.  I can't believe it's such a lengthy process!  Would you suggest we file in early spring 2007 or this spring? 

I don't think it takes more than 5-6 months to process DCF usually, so if you don't want to move until the end of 2007 I would wait until spring of 2007. Good luck! 

Thanks ever so much for your input!!  Best of luck to you too!!!

Hi Lisaloo,

Geally gave you some good advice and I completed DCF last May then made the leap just this past October - I am quite unusual in that most people don't leave it so close to the expiry date.

There is a brilliant website (started by a very efficient member of UKY) specifically for DCF'ers/re-patriates at:

 http://forum.diveintoamerica.com/index.php

Hope to see you join us.  Visajourney.com will also be really helpful in your research for timelines, the people there really do keep their eye on the ball.

Good Luck!

Thanks for that New-Dawn!  I just looked at the Diveintoamerica link and am impressed already!  Thank you for taking the time to reply! 

Hi Girls....I have started my spreadsheet to get organized for when we are ready to start the paperwork.  I came across an interesting tidbit on the US embassy website http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/immrel.html [nofollow]
and wanted to double check what I think I am understanding, when I read the bit on Immediate Relative.  Would you girls agree that it's stating hubby and I can apply at the same time for I-130 petition as well as the DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa?  Also, to have proof of income...if we wait till all paperwork is processed to sell our house, will the anticipated equity from our house sale count as proof of income so we won't require a sponsor?  That part is confusing me!  Thanks for all your help!!! 

LisaLoo

You read it correctly, the I-130 and DS-230 can be sent in together to save time and anticipated equity is acceptable (in fact they do state that applicants should not sell houses/leave jobs etc until the visa is in-hand).

I know that many people have used the evaluation from an Estate Agent for their proof and technically, the proof of income is any assets that could be turned to cash in a 12 mth period, so owning a house qualifies under those terms.  Rental properties/income also count and they do not need to be sold beforehand for example.

Hope that helps a little- it*is* very confusing and open to all sorts of (mis)interpretation! See you at DIA, tell 'em Sheril sent ya LOL! Just kidding!

Oh wow....that is awesome!  It's sounding easier by the minute!!  Thanks Sheril, you have been most helpful and most friendly.  No disrespect to UK Yankee forum, but the atmosphere on the DIA forum is totally different.  I was reading thru the strings and can't believe all the friendly, warm people!  I know there are friendly people here, but I have read topics where hardly anyone has bothered to reply when someone is seeking advice or help.......lots of readers, few repliers!  I only had two people reply to my plea for information, luckily for me you and geally took the time to read and reply. I appreciate your welcoming friendliness!  Thanks so much!!!

Lisaloo