UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Yorkshire --> Denver
Posts: 157
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
So I have had a think on this and I think the CR-1 Visa is the best way to go when it comes to stability and finances, can anyone with experience of going down this route confirm the cost from start to finish and roughly the estimate time it will take from the day we complete the initial forms to the day I receive the thumbs up from the US?
Also is what I stated in my original post true, that there is a law that I have to have met her IN THE USA, to be eligible? or is this irrelevant aslong as she submits the petition?
Thanks again.
Also is what I stated in my original post true, that there is a law that I have to have met her IN THE USA, to be eligible? or is this irrelevant aslong as she submits the petition?
Thanks again.
It's $525 for the petition, $325 for the actual visa application, plus costs of the medical (almost £300 for Knightsbridge Drs but no idea if filing from inside the USA allows one to use a different company for their medical), any vaccines required, UK police certificate (~£20) and photocopying/postage. This is ballpark, there might be slight differences for filing from within the US versus DCF which is what we're doing.
Last edited by aless02; Mar 17th 2017 at 12:18 pm.
#17
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
Budget about US$2,000 for fees, medical, ACRO certificate, travel, photos, and photocopies. All the form fees are listed at www.uscis.gov. This amount covers the visa costs only... it does not include any costs associated with getting married in the first place.
As I mentioned earlier... about 8-10 months. Anything else is a guess. Word of warning: do not book flights until you have the visa in your hand.
There is no law whatsoever, that requires you to have met in the US at any time. So, if you read that on a website, I suggest you stop reading that website. The only requirement for a K-1 visa is that you have met, at least once face-to-face, within the prior 2 years. Beyond that, there are no meeting requirements. For a CR-1 visa, it's moot since you'd need to have met to be married (barring some sort of proxy marriage, which likely doesn't apply to you).
Ian
... and roughly the estimate time it will take from the day we complete the initial forms to the day I receive the thumbs up from the US?
Also is what I stated in my original post true, that there is a law that I have to have met her IN THE USA, to be eligible? or is this irrelevant aslong as she submits the petition?
Ian
#18
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
Our fees incurred so far are:
I-130 application $420 (current fee is $535)
Affidavit of Support $120
Immigration Visa application fee $325
Police certificate £45
I've yet to pay for the medical and any other fees as required.
I'm 8 months into the process, just waiting for my application to be transferred to London, so I can book the medical and interview.
I-130 application $420 (current fee is $535)
Affidavit of Support $120
Immigration Visa application fee $325
Police certificate £45
I've yet to pay for the medical and any other fees as required.
I'm 8 months into the process, just waiting for my application to be transferred to London, so I can book the medical and interview.
#19
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
It doesn't matter where you met or even where you get married.
From start to finish, about 8 to 10 months.
Budget about $2500.
Rene
From start to finish, about 8 to 10 months.
Budget about $2500.
Rene
#20
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
AFAIK you could've met anywhere, location is irrelevant. I believe CR-1 requires proof of "bona fide marriage" so like photos, tickets showing your meetings, etc.
It's $525 for the petition, $325 for the actual visa application, plus costs of the medical (almost £300 for Knightsbridge Drs but no idea if filing from inside the USA allows one to use a different company for their medical), any vaccines required, UK police certificate (~£20) and photocopying/postage. This is ballpark, there might be slight differences for filing from within the US versus DCF which is what we're doing.
It's $525 for the petition, $325 for the actual visa application, plus costs of the medical (almost £300 for Knightsbridge Drs but no idea if filing from inside the USA allows one to use a different company for their medical), any vaccines required, UK police certificate (~£20) and photocopying/postage. This is ballpark, there might be slight differences for filing from within the US versus DCF which is what we're doing.
#21
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 58
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
Police certificate? Is this just an acknowledgment from the Criminal Records Bureau confirming your current criminal record? or is it a different document? My old man is a copper and reckons this has to be applied for through the CRB, £10 charge for it for upto a 6 week wait for £45 for a 2 week wait. Ive also just got back a CTC (Counter Terrorist Check, obviously it came back all A okay, Im assuming this will further reinforce my evidence when submitting it with the Police Cert?
D.
D.
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: Consolacion,Cebu
Posts: 1,928
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
I believe that whilst waiting for your CR1 to be processed you can still visit the US using the VWP - Ian will confirm I'm sure.
Good luck with your journey!
#25
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 58
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
Forgive me if this is a stupid question, Are we able to begin the process of the CR1 application without having been married yet, or if the US Foreign national (my girl) has not applied for the UK visitors Marriage visa? or is this essential we get married first before starting the application / petition? Turns out we havent got enough time to get married in June as the notice of marriage needs to stand for 28 days (with a visa) or upto 70 days without. Shes only gunna be here on this trip for 21 days.
#26
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
You MUST be legally married before the I-130 can be filed.
It doesn't matter where in the world you get married, though.
Rene
It doesn't matter where in the world you get married, though.
Rene
#27
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
Turns out we havent got enough time to get married in June as the notice of marriage needs to stand for 28 days (with a visa) or upto 70 days without.
Ian
#28
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
Morning. Curious on this. Is your fiancée a US Citizen or a US National. They are different with different rights.
#29
Re: UK Citizen wanting to marry and move to USA
US nationals who are not also US citizens are as rare as hens teeth, comprising only a small subset of those born on Samoa who declined to take US citizenship.