Query re: FLR process.

Hi. I'm the FNG here at UK-Yankee. Seems like there's a lot of collective wisdom here! I'm an American and my fiance is Irish-British. We're living in Belfast and are set to be married in 3 weeks 5 days, not that I'm counting :-)  Right now I'm on the Fiance Visa and unemployment is absolutely doing my head in. As i understand it, in order for me to be allowed to work after we marry I need to apply for FLR(M). Judging from the from the document requirements look similar to the VAF form we submitted to the consulate in Chicago. My questions are as follows:

1) Cost aside, is it better to apply by mail or arrange a visit to Croyden? Is there a better success rate with either method? Will I be allowed to work immediately after I get approval, or are there more steps before i can work?

2) I still have my NIN from when I was working here in Belfast. Will i get a new one? Are they hard to get?... A fellow expat had a difficult time receiving a new NIN after her FLR approval (something like 7 months!) Does this sound like the norm?

3) Switching gears, what is the process for getting my future wife into the US? Anecdotally I've heard it's a long process, but what's the straight story?

Thanks for your time,

Nathan

I can really only reply to your first question, as I really have no answers for the others, sorry..

But, in my opinion, getting your FLR in person is the better option, if you can afford it. It allows you to work right away, whereas you could be waiting a very long time for them to process a postal application. It's not THAT much more expensive. Once you have that visa, you can work.

I *think* your NIN would be the same. Don't quote me though. =)

Sorry I couldn't help more..

3) Switching gears, what is the process for getting my future wife into the US? Anecdotally I've heard it's a long process, but what's the straight story?

The problem I'm finding with US visas is that there is no straight story!  The website is very confusing to me but I've been reading it over.  You can browse around this page:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1315.html

I would try to translate but I don't understand some of it... hope it helps at least a little 

1.  I don't think applying in person means you'll have a better chance of getting your visa, but it will mean that it'll be done and dusted in one day (provided you have the correct documentation).  The only drawback is the price -- it's more expensive to apply in person.  You can work as soon as you have your FLR.

2.  If you already have an NIN, it won't change.  Think of it like your social security number -- the one you start with is the one you keep.

3.  The process of getting a foreign spouse to this US is a long one...which is why I'm here instead of my DH being in the US.   

Hey everyone, thanks for your posts. I think the mail option is going to be the way foreword as we're both pretty broke and job prospects aren't real hot in Belfast at the moment. As for the U.S. immigration policy on "trailing spouses", I have an appointment with the American Consulate in Belfast to make an attempt to get the straight story. Wish me luck! More on this later...

Nathan

Remember, though, that you won't be able to work till you get the FLR.

I chose the in-person option because I thought the extra cost of the application was worth the possibility of getting a job--and a steady income--that much earlier. Spending pennies to make pounds.

Just to confuse things even more...if your wife has an Irish passport as well then you could apply as the Spouse of an EEA national.


Victoria