Originally Posted by Hilda

Thanks, but why is it quicker in Buffalo?

Originally Posted by chicagojlo

I have a question regarding this whole vaccination thing, you mention having them yourself - does an adult need to prove immunity to these illnesses before they can become a citizen? I guess I would be having the titer in that case because I have medical records from a whole host of places to try and find otherwise...

Originally Posted by Hilda

Hello

My husband was born in American but was moved to England as a baby and has not spent more than a couple of months in the USA since. He has an American passport. I am British and we have four children together, who were not born in America.

As my husband has strong work opportunities in America (plus family he misses) we had hoped that we could 'just' go over there and he could work for a year or some other short term and then we could come back after having experienced a little of what it is like 'over there'. But alas it isn't that simple. First I've been advised that I can't really ask for a tourists visa because it is understandably assumed that perhaps if my husband has such strong ties there (family etc) then I may be a candidate for immigration instead. I didn't realise I was a liability

So we are tentatively exploring the process of applying for an immigration visa for me and the kids. First things first (and it does appear to be a slow painful step by painful step process) we have yet to discover if the kids can actually be American themselves, the advice I got years ago was that they could not be since my husband had not lived in the US for a longer time than a few months and I am not American so...

But then I hear about this 'expeditious naturalization for children' which translated (if I am understanding correctly) as if my husbands dad or mum (i.e: our kids grandparents) have lived in the US for a period of five years or more, then our kids can get American passports. Both my husbands father and mother have lived in America for more than five years, and his mother was born there. His grandparents also lived there for years and years, plus one set of grandparents were born there.

Question: anyone know anything about our chances? Or anyone ever been through something similar?

And if our kids are entitled to be American like their dad does this mean we can avoid putting our kids through the gruelling (above normal GP requirement) vaccination programmes that immigrants to the US are required to undergo and the expensive visa applications for our kids?

Plus, if this is a possibility, are the grandparents (husband's parents) then called upon to contribute to the proceedings?

Thanks for your help (in advance) this site is already proving to be very helpful and it is useful to know that we are all in the same boat (or not as the case may be).

Originally Posted by JAJ

Your husband? Is he also a British citizen? If not, it would be strongly recommended for him to become British before he leaves the U.K. (should normally be possible within 6 months).

Originally Posted by ian-mstm

I really like your attitude! A good sense of humor is vitally important when going through this process! Consider yourself karma'd.

Ian

Originally Posted by Folinskyinla

Hi:

N-600k forms can be filed with ANY district office! The USCIS website has a link for local processing times -- look for the time for "N-600". The 322 applications used to be done with the N-600 plus an additional form -- they are now done on N-600k -- so the N-600 processing time is valid.

Last time I looked, Buffalo was the quickest.

On price of tickets -- note that you won't have much warning of the interview.

Originally Posted by JAJ

You have two distinct options to get American citizenship for your children:

1. Expeditious naturalization based on American grandparents: (which has been around since 1 April 1995)
http://travel.state.gov/family/adopt.../info_456.html

2. Sponsor the children for an immigrant visa as normal. When they arrive in the United States and are admitted as Permanent Residents, they immediately become American citizens. This is under the Child Citizenship Act 2000, effective 27 February 2001:
http://travel.state.gov/family/adopt.../info_457.html

If you choose option 1 then if you migrate after the children become American citizens, they will not need visas. But not everyone is eligible for this option.

Both processes have an age limit of 18.

Your husband? Is he also a British citizen? If not, it would be strongly recommended for him to become British before he leaves the U.K. (should normally be possible within 6 months).

Originally Posted by Folinskyinla

Hi:

"Strongly recommended"??? Up to him I would think. Of course, I've inherited the Jewish refugee thing from my grandparents -- get as many passports as you can -- you never know when you might need one.

Originally Posted by chicagojlo

I have a question regarding this whole vaccination thing, you mention having them yourself - does an adult need to prove immunity to these illnesses before they can become a citizen? I guess I would be having the titer in that case because I have medical records from a whole host of places to try and find otherwise...

Originally Posted by meauxna

heheheh.... well, look at it this way. At least you *have* a way to pursue your move... read here for a while and you will see a lot of really frustrated folk who haven't got a chance.

The 322 stuff is new to me, so I keep looking it up with you. You know, it could be a very wise investment of your time/money/sanity to seek out a US immigration lawyer who already knows this stuff (and is not charging you for their learning curve) and have a consultation with all the facts. Stuff like 'half the kids are adopted by the USC' clearly make a difference.

And pop over to the USA Forum and start browsing.. you really can't be *too* prepared. One ugly thing that has come to mind is your USC's US Income Tax returns. He is supposed to be declaring his worldwide income every year, and isn't *that* fun (not).

The *culture* of moving can be harder than the immigration. After all, that stuff will work itself out if you stay on top of it. The differences in cultures requires more effort. And while Oregon, specifically Portland, is a more liberal (ok, face it, this is where hippies come to retire) spot than where you are, not every state is the same, and not every part of a given state is the same. We often have the urban/rural divide here in voting, local culture and needs/wants. Geographically, we are the same size as the UK, but with only 3 million people. And a lot of cows in the bottom right corner.

The downsides in Oregon? Plenty. We're far from the UK (a 13 hour direct flight from Seattle--London). Our climate is, well, often gray and damp west of the mountains and cold and clear east of them. We're notoriously small-town minded for a city of 1.5 million. Some people think we're not 'cool' enough, don't wear enough makeup or current fashions.. stuff like that.

Go to the wiki here and you can find links to a couple of local newspapers, and check out the discussion section of http://portland.craigslist.org/

There are quite a lot of Brits living here, but don't go looking for them. They're famously happy here, and don't tend to seek each other out much.

Of course, a lot of your destination will be determined by hub's work?

Well, so we don't bore everyone here, you are welcome to PM or email me for a chat. I don't have any kids, but I'm a whiz with the connections, so I'd be happy to put you in touch with folk who can help you more.

Originally Posted by Hilda

What is a karma'd? Is it an honor?

Originally Posted by Hilda

Dear Folinskyinla,

The advantage of us having to expect a longer wait (re: adopted children able to apply for 322 application after two years) would mean that we'd have time to work on our nest egg (selling family silver or similar and working overtime like mad). I could imagine that the notice for the 322 interview would be short and so we'd have to just take the best flight offer at time.

Am now looking and relooking at N600 details....can see the meter ticking away. Having a reasonable sum ready to go is a definite I can see.

So far, best advice to newbies like us in this? Get cash ready.

Originally Posted by Hilda

Dear ChicagoJLo,

There is no doubt about the fact that I have to go through the vaccines or the test of immunity. *gulp* *hides under bed*

I'm fine. Honestly, I'm fine. What's a few needles?!

I am also having a problem with gathering my medical records since they are scattered and don't appear to be have been kept correctly in certain places. So the titer test it would be, probably. Anyone had this test? I heard some rumour about it being complicated due to waiting times?

Originally Posted by Hilda

I am also having a problem with gathering my medical records since they are scattered and don't appear to be have been kept correctly in certain places. So the titer test it would be, probably. Anyone had this test? I heard some rumour about it being complicated due to waiting times?