US citizen wanting to bring UK hubby to States after 8 years :)

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped me on this forum when I was applying for my visa and ILR.  I am a US citizen and 8 years ago I was using this site, it was an amazing help and without it my application process wouldn't have gone as well as it did.

Now I have a new question!!  I know this is an Americans in the UK site, but perhaps someone can offer me advice.

8 years on my husband (UK citizen), daughter (dual UK/USA citizen) and myself (USA citizen and permanent UK ILR holder) are ready to move back to the States.  My husband doesn't want to relinquish his UK citizenship and is hoping to get a green card.  I know he's able to get one, but has anyone gone through the process of bringing a UK citizen to the States as a spouse?   We've looked at the uscis.gov site and it's (no doubt) overwhelming.

I think we start with the I-130 (petition for alien relative)? But then there is the I-485 (apply for a green card), not sure what comes first etc.  

Any experience with this one?  THANK YOU SO MUCH Smiley

I've just replied to your other thread.

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped me on this forum when I was applying for my visa and ILR.  I am a US citizen and 8 years ago I was using this site, it was an amazing help and without it my application process wouldn't have gone as well as it did.

Now I have a new question!!  I know this is an Americans in the UK site, but perhaps someone can offer me advice.

8 years on my husband (UK citizen), daughter (dual UK/USA citizen) and myself (USA citizen and permanent UK ILR holder) are ready to move back to the States.  My husband doesn't want to relinquish his UK citizenship and is hoping to get a green card.  I know he's able to get one, but has anyone gone through the process of bringing a UK citizen to the States as a spouse?   We've looked at the uscis.gov site and it's (no doubt) overwhelming.

I think we start with the I-130 (petition for alien relative)? But then there is the I-485 (apply for a green card), not sure what comes first etc. 

Any experience with this one?  THANK YOU SO MUCH Smiley

Your ILR will expire if you leave the UK for more than 2 years.  Have you considered getting UK citizenship, so you have the freedom to easily move back, if you change your mind?  Visa requirements seem to be tightening, and the fees increasing, so it's something to consider.   

I did not realise that the ILR will expire.  That's definitely something to think about that you very much!

Since you have been married for longer than 2 years, your husband will automatically have a 10yr green card once the I-130 is approved. To understand the process, which is called Direct Consular Filing in layman's terms, have a wander over to the British Expats Marriage-Based visa forum. That forum is specifically for Brits planning a move to the US based on a relationship with a USC.

I would start by reading up on DCF on VisaJourney or British Expats.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

As said above, your ILR will expire if you are gone for more than 2 years, so if it's at all feasible, apply for UK citizenship.

Also, your husband does not have to relinquish his UK citizenship if he becomes a US citizen.

I recommend spending a lot of time reading up as there's a lot of information on both of those web sites.