Hello
Guest

Sponsored Links


Topic: Thinking ahead  (Read 2650 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

  • *
  • Posts: 2740

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location: London
Thinking ahead
« on: July 21, 2009, 01:29:38 PM »
Hey everyone,

I know I'm thinking very far ahead (I only just got to the UK and am planning on becoming a citizen) but the plan has always been to move to the USA after a few years. It would be ideal for us to BOTH be dual citizens to never have to go through this crap again! I have looked at the stickied threads on DCF filing, and the list of documents seems to be very long. I'm just wondering how much of a hassle it is (just so that I am prepared) but also, how far in advance should I begin the process?

At first, we had looked into getting married in and living in the US, and the visa process seemed so daunting. Will this be easier, since we will have been living together as husband and wife for several years?

Thanks!
Finally living with my Husband in London after 6 1/2 years together but apart... and loving my life!


  • *
  • Posts: 151

    • Jenny's Adventures In England
  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Nov 2008
  • Location: Leicester
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2009, 02:38:59 PM »
Our long term goal is to move to the US as well. From what I've read, it should be fairly easy to get your husband a green card. If you've been married less than two years, it will be a temporary one, good for two years, if you've been married greater than two years, he will get permanent residence immediately, and be available for citizenship in three years (if I am remembering correctly). Because you won't have to prove the relationship like you did to get to the UK, it should be easier. And as of right now, it's only about $355. It can take up to a year, I've read, so you do need to plan ahead for when you think you want to move.

Due to the possible changes with the citizenship here in the UK, we are actually reconsidering how long to stay. We'll have to pay nearly £900 pounds for my ILR, then a year later, £800 for citizenship. That's if things stay the same, or if the dates of change work in my favor. My husband doesn't see us ever coming back here, but he's got two children who will be coming with us, and since we've already gone through all this, I'd hate to miss my chance if something ever does change, and we have to go through the whole visa process again. You just don't know what's going to happen down the line, you know?



  • *
  • Posts: 2740

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location: London
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2009, 02:48:55 PM »
Our long term goal is to move to the US as well. From what I've read, it should be fairly easy to get your husband a green card. If you've been married less than two years, it will be a temporary one, good for two years, if you've been married greater than two years, he will get permanent residence immediately, and be available for citizenship in three years (if I am remembering correctly). Because you won't have to prove the relationship like you did to get to the UK, it should be easier. And as of right now, it's only about $355. It can take up to a year, I've read, so you do need to plan ahead for when you think you want to move.

Due to the possible changes with the citizenship here in the UK, we are actually reconsidering how long to stay. We'll have to pay nearly £900 pounds for my ILR, then a year later, £800 for citizenship. That's if things stay the same, or if the dates of change work in my favor. My husband doesn't see us ever coming back here, but he's got two children who will be coming with us, and since we've already gone through all this, I'd hate to miss my chance if something ever does change, and we have to go through the whole visa process again. You just don't know what's going to happen down the line, you know?



Well, so far the cut off to apply for ILR before the new rules go into effect is July 2011. If you have ILR before that time you can still continue on the same track, under the old rules. (This is the last I've heard.) Since I entered last month, I will be able to squeeze by, as should you... As regards to whether or not it is worth it, I think it MOST DEFINITELY is. The amount of hassle you will save in unforeseen future plans far outweighs the amount you will pay for ILR or Citizenship, IMO. That's how we are looking at it anyway!

And thanks for the info. :) That is really excellent news! I'm suprised at the relatively low cost, in contrast to the UK visas...
Finally living with my Husband in London after 6 1/2 years together but apart... and loving my life!


  • *
  • Posts: 151

    • Jenny's Adventures In England
  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Nov 2008
  • Location: Leicester
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2009, 04:05:34 PM »
Well, so far the cut off to apply for ILR before the new rules go into effect is July 2011. If you have ILR before that time you can still continue on the same track, under the old rules. (This is the last I've heard.) Since I entered last month, I will be able to squeeze by, as should you... As regards to whether or not it is worth it, I think it MOST DEFINITELY is. The amount of hassle you will save in unforeseen future plans far outweighs the amount you will pay for ILR or Citizenship, IMO. That's how we are looking at it anyway!

And thanks for the info. :) That is really excellent news! I'm suprised at the relatively low cost, in contrast to the UK visas...

In my heart I know it's worth it, but it's hard right now to financially figure out how we're going to manage it.

Not to take business away from UK-Yankee, but http://visajourney.com/forums/index.php?act=home is the US version of this site. I've just joined this week, to see what kind of advice they can offer as well. I figure you can't have too much information.


  • *
  • Posts: 2740

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location: London
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2009, 04:12:42 PM »
In my heart I know it's worth it, but it's hard right now to financially figure out how we're going to manage it.

Not to take business away from UK-Yankee, but http://visajourney.com/forums/index.php?act=home is the US version of this site. I've just joined this week, to see what kind of advice they can offer as well. I figure you can't have too much information.

Yeah, I joined visa journey when we got engaged! Since we were going to move there originally... I will have to look around there again!
Finally living with my Husband in London after 6 1/2 years together but apart... and loving my life!


  • *
  • Posts: 345

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Mar 2006
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2009, 07:07:08 PM »
You will be able to do DCF from the UK, which is easier and faster than doing it from within the US. We did it last year and it took 5 months from start to finish. Once you have your approval you have to move within 6 months or it becomes void and you have to do the whole process over from the beginning.


  • *
  • Posts: 151

    • Jenny's Adventures In England
  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Nov 2008
  • Location: Leicester
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2009, 07:50:16 PM »
You will be able to do DCF from the UK, which is easier and faster than doing it from within the US. We did it last year and it took 5 months from start to finish. Once you have your approval you have to move within 6 months or it becomes void and you have to do the whole process over from the beginning.

You only have 6 months? I don't know why I thought it was a bit longer. The difficulty we have is our children. We don't want to uproot them in the middle of the school year for such a drastic move as this. I was thinking start the application a year in advance of when we want to move (the summer before), but if it takes less than 6 months, it won't yet be summer break again before our leave would be up.  One more hurdle to figure out I guess!


  • *
  • Posts: 345

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Mar 2006
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2009, 01:07:18 PM »
You only have 6 months? I don't know why I thought it was a bit longer. The difficulty we have is our children. We don't want to uproot them in the middle of the school year for such a drastic move as this. I was thinking start the application a year in advance of when we want to move (the summer before), but if it takes less than 6 months, it won't yet be summer break again before our leave would be up.  One more hurdle to figure out I guess!

Why don't you start it in the late fall/winter and then you would be finished by summer, when you could move. They are very strict about the 6 month rule - but what I don't know is if you could enter the US within that 6 month time frame but not settle there until a few months later.


  • *
  • Posts: 151

    • Jenny's Adventures In England
  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Nov 2008
  • Location: Leicester
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2009, 03:54:06 PM »
Why don't you start it in the late fall/winter and then you would be finished by summer, when you could move. They are very strict about the 6 month rule - but what I don't know is if you could enter the US within that 6 month time frame but not settle there until a few months later.

That's true, but if it takes longer than the 6 months, then we'd be into the fall school schedule. I guess as the time gets closer, I'll start tracking how long people are saying it is taking and go from there.


  • Tam
  • Girl Friday
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 673

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Location: Cornwall
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2009, 07:24:07 PM »
...but what I don't know is if you could enter the US within that 6 month time frame but not settle there until a few months later.

Yes, you can do that. You can activate your visa by visiting prior to taking up residence and your green card will be sent to the US address specified on one of the forms you will have filled in prior to your interview.


  • *
  • Posts: 448

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2009, 08:29:38 PM »
Hi everyone. Please excuse me for jumping into this thread but it seems as though you all have the same thoughts about my husband and I. I am the USC and my husband is UKC. I have not even moved to England yet! But, I am moving in the next month, so, I don't meet the deadline for the old ILR rules, etc. Our plan is to only stay in the UK for 2-3 years then return to the US.  Can any of you shed some light on how we would have to start this process? Can we only do DCF if I become a citizen? I really don't think we will be staying in the UK for 5 years so I don't think I will become a citizen before we return to the US. How would I get him there? Do I have to apply for the spouse visa from America without him or can we start the process while we are still in the UK? Thanks for any help on this topic. I am also a member of visajourney but I find this forum more helpful!
Follow your bliss.


  • Tam
  • Girl Friday
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 673

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Location: Cornwall
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2009, 09:47:09 PM »
Hi everyone. Please excuse me for jumping into this thread but it seems as though you all have the same thoughts about my husband and I. I am the USC and my husband is UKC. I have not even moved to England yet! But, I am moving in the next month, so, I don't meet the deadline for the old ILR rules, etc. Our plan is to only stay in the UK for 2-3 years then return to the US.  Can any of you shed some light on how we would have to start this process? Can we only do DCF if I become a citizen? I really don't think we will be staying in the UK for 5 years so I don't think I will become a citizen before we return to the US. How would I get him there? Do I have to apply for the spouse visa from America without him or can we start the process while we are still in the UK? Thanks for any help on this topic. I am also a member of visajourney but I find this forum more helpful!

You can't file an I-130 petition for a spousal visa for him via the US Embassy in London until you have moved here. This doesn't mean that you need to become a citizen first.

You would do best to look more into this about a year before you plan to move back to the US.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2009, 09:49:33 PM by Tam »


  • *
  • Posts: 448

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2009, 09:53:32 PM »
Thanks Tam. Yes, I am just trying to think/plan ahead as much as is possible at this point! We intend on living in the UK for a good two years once I arrive in the next month. I just want to see if we can file for the petition while we are still together in the UK or if we/I have to file in the US and go back without him.
Follow your bliss.


  • Tam
  • Girl Friday
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 673

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Location: Cornwall
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2009, 10:05:03 PM »
Thanks Tam. Yes, I am just trying to think/plan ahead as much as is possible at this point! We intend on living in the UK for a good two years once I arrive in the next month. I just want to see if we can file for the petition while we are still together in the UK or if we/I have to file in the US and go back without him.

No, you won't have to file from the US. :) You'll have the much faster option.


  • *
  • Posts: 448

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
Re: Thinking ahead
« Reply #14 on: August 17, 2009, 03:27:55 AM »
Even if I don't have ILR yet? I am not 100% clear on the new rules but it sounds like since things are changing I wouldn't have ILR yet when we would plan on heading to the states... ??? But, if we could still file a quicker way and be together, Phewf and yay!
Follow your bliss.


Sponsored Links





 

coloured_drab