Moving to US with my American wife
#16
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
![Spanknap is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It's 5 years old, nearly 6
I'm still puzzled on my comment above though.
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'm still puzzled on my comment above though.
![Spanknap is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#17
Account Closed
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I am under the impression that once the I-130 is filed I am in some kind of "holding space" where I cannot move around, i.e. I cannot leave the US or the UK, wherever I happen to be.
So what happens when the ESTA runs out?
Ian
![ian-mstm is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#18
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
![Spanknap is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ian, thank you... I think that clears it up. Can I just confirm this is how it would actually play out with hypothetical timelines:
1. Wife accepts job offer (today)
2. Wife files I-130 here in London (tomorrow)
3. Wife and I fly out to US (1st October). She goes on Citizenship, I go on ESTA for max 90 days.
4. I return to London once I have my interview date at the US embassy (unless I have already had it before heading out on 1st October)
5. I have the interview
6. I am granted an immigrant visa and fly to the US
7. On arriving in the US I am given a Green Card
8. We live happily ever after
1. Wife accepts job offer (today)
2. Wife files I-130 here in London (tomorrow)
3. Wife and I fly out to US (1st October). She goes on Citizenship, I go on ESTA for max 90 days.
4. I return to London once I have my interview date at the US embassy (unless I have already had it before heading out on 1st October)
5. I have the interview
6. I am granted an immigrant visa and fly to the US
7. On arriving in the US I am given a Green Card
8. We live happily ever after
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Spanknap is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#19
Account Closed
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
1. Wife accepts job offer (today)
2. Wife files I-130 here in London (tomorrow)
3. Wife and I fly out to US (1st October). She goes on Citizenship, I go on ESTA for max 90 days.
4. I return to London once I have my interview date at the US embassy (unless I have already had it before heading out on 1st October)
5. I have the interview
6. I am granted an immigrant visa and fly to the US
7. On arriving in the US I am given a Green Card
8. We live happily ever after![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
2. Wife files I-130 here in London (tomorrow)
3. Wife and I fly out to US (1st October). She goes on Citizenship, I go on ESTA for max 90 days.
4. I return to London once I have my interview date at the US embassy (unless I have already had it before heading out on 1st October)
5. I have the interview
6. I am granted an immigrant visa and fly to the US
7. On arriving in the US I am given a Green Card
8. We live happily ever after
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Ian
![ian-mstm is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#20
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Reminder, everytime you visit the US using vwp/esta you are doing just that visiting you are most certainly not "moving with your wife".
![sir_eccles is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#21
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
![Spanknap is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Understood, thank you guys. I think that clears it all up for me
![Spanknap is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#22
Account Closed
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Oh... one other thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Your wife will need to complete form I-864 as your financial sponsor. She'll be required to show sufficient income to support you and she'll need to provide the most recent 3 years' worth of tax returns. If she hasn't been filing US taxes (which, by US law, she was actually required to do), she'll need to take care of that ASAP! The US Consular Service is very helpful with this - which is great, considering they aren't very helpful with most other things! ![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Ian
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Ian
![ian-mstm is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#23
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
![Spanknap is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Does that change if I also end up with a job offer before I move over?
![Spanknap is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#25
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Occasionally, the non-USC applicant can have their income counted as well if it "continues from the same source" but for employment, practically the only way that can happen is if they transfer their job with the same employer for the UK to the US. That was actually what I did, but I was in the lucky position of working for a US-headquartered company in the UK and they were willing to let me transfer.
I'd strongly suggest your wife talking to US-based family to have someone lined up a joint sponsor should her new US job income not be accepted: if that happens, just whip out the second set of forms for the joint sponsor and give them to the Consular Officer.
![rpjs is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#26
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
![Spanknap is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ok, so regardless of the green card and a job offer prior to picking up the green card. We'd still need I-864 filed.
Awesome, thanks!
Awesome, thanks!
![Spanknap is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#27
Account Closed
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![ian-mstm has a reputation beyond repute](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
If you do get a job offer before you move, you'll be able to work the day you enter the US with your immigrant visa. You can't work if you're in the US as a visitor.
Ian
![ian-mstm is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#29
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
![Spanknap is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Brilliant... I love this forum. Literally spent days stressing over this trying to decipher everything.
One final question, for now, am I right in thinking these 2 things:
1. I am the only person required to attend that interview at the US embassy. So if my wife is already in the US working, she won't need to return with me.
2. There's a possibility that if we file now. I could have that interview before 1st October when she moves out there.
One final question, for now, am I right in thinking these 2 things:
1. I am the only person required to attend that interview at the US embassy. So if my wife is already in the US working, she won't need to return with me.
2. There's a possibility that if we file now. I could have that interview before 1st October when she moves out there.
![Spanknap is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#30
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Brilliant... I love this forum. Literally spent days stressing over this trying to decipher everything.
One final question, for now, am I right in thinking these 2 things:
1. I am the only person required to attend that interview at the US embassy. So if my wife is already in the US working, she won't need to return with me.
One final question, for now, am I right in thinking these 2 things:
1. I am the only person required to attend that interview at the US embassy. So if my wife is already in the US working, she won't need to return with me.
2. There's a possibility that if we file now. I could have that interview before 1st October when she moves out there.
If you're prepared to react immediately you get any notification from the embassy, who knows, you may be able to shave a bit of time off. Also, there have been very occasional mentions here of people getting expedited processing of the DCF process, but that has always, as far as I can recall, been in the context of someone involved being seriously ill.
![rpjs is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)