Master_Bulldog

From start to finish, how long did it take you guys to complete the immigration process? If it helps to make things a bit more accurate I'll be going for the fiance visa

Thanks in advance guys

ironporer

From the beginning of the K-1 route (document collection, preparing package etc) to finally getting her visa after changing horses midstream and marrying in Gibralter and filing DCF in Madrid....9 months.

Had we stayed with the K-1, it would have taken 12-15 months most likely...with TSC's huge backlog at that time.

Master_Bulldog

Thanks... Yeah, I'm reckoning on between 1 year and 18 months.

AmerLisa

Would getting married make the time faster? We did DCF back in 2003 (although we were both married and had been for a few years by that time) and it took a few months to get that visa....

WARPed

Back in 2008 we filed for the K1 in early Jan and I had the visa in my passport on May 22nd. We made sure there were NO ERRORS at all in our application and I was very proactive in ensuring I had all my documents ready ahead of time. 5 1/2 months was pretty good in my opinion. I very much doubt it would take a year to complete. Start packing!

Master_Bulldog

Thanks WARPed,

That's a real comfort really dislike waiting and the little lady is getting a bit anxious.

Master_Bulldog

Due to the cost of flights etc...marraige isn't an option until I arrive there.

Thanks for the suggestion though

WARPed

Can she come to the UK and wait it out with you? That is what my Mrs did as Yanks can stay in the UK for 6 months on a visitor visa (not like the 90 days we get in the other direction).

Master_Bulldog

Nah, not an option I'm afraid. She works as a professor and the college term has just started.

meauxna

Assuming you are interested in CURRENT immigration timelines, I moved your thread to the marriage-based immigration forum.

If you are petitioning + applying for a K-1 Fiance visa, you might find the posts in here very helpful.

K-1 visas via London are currently taking about 6 months from petition to interview.

Master_Bulldog

OK, thank you meauxna

ian-mstm

From start to finish, it took me 6.5 years. It seems that most of the people posting are only giving timelines for part of the process.

Ian

Master_Bulldog

I'll consider that as either a wind up or that there was a reason it took you 6.5 years! LOL

ian-mstm

One isn't finished with immigration until one becomes a USC.

Ian

nettlebed

Yep, mine was about the same: applied for H-1B in October 2001, got my Citz in November 2008.

Intermediate stages were:

Applied for marriage-based GC in December 2003.
Green Card received in February 2005.
Applied for Citz in March 2008.