Lansbury

Is there an idiots guide anywhere to applying for an immigrant visa to the
USA. I have looked around and can't seem to find anything that outlines the
steps to be taken in language I can understand.

I am married to a US citizen and we will head to Oregon when I retire in about
12 months time. We have been married for 8 years and lived in the UK all that
time.

What I'm looking for is a guide to what we need to do in the UK to apply. I
think we have a good understanding but want to make sure. But perhaps more
importantly what we need to do when we arrive in the US.

Thanks


-
Lansbury
www.uk-air.net
FAQs for the alt.travel.uk.air newsgroup

Just Jenney

Welcome to the wonderful maze of immigration.

First, definitely check out the K Visas FAQ:
http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm

Second, do a NG search under "DCF" or "Direct Consular Filing" -- this is touted to be the quickest and most painless way to emigrate from the UK to the US for married spouses.

Best of luck!

~ Jenney

half-pint

Also check out these pages for DCF - Direct Consular Filing (this is a layman's term so you won't find it mentioned on these pages.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/spouse.htm

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/immrel.htm

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/ins/i130filing.htm

We are DCFing so if you have questions - feel free to ask.

Ellie

Panda

You can try britishexpats.com. There is also a really good faq and
timelines and filing procedure information at www.visajourney.com. I've
gotten a lot of info there.

If you've only got 12 months before you want to move, you better get
started. And you might want to try going with the K-3 visa while you wait
for the I-130. The backlog on those may or may not be long enough to keep
you out more than a year. Of course your mileage may vary. I keep reading
stories of people whose I-130's got approved while in the K-3 process. We
should be so lucky.

Panda
U.S. citizen in Canada waiting for K-3 to come through for husband so we can
move back to the best place on earth.

"Lansbury" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Is there an idiots guide anywhere to applying for an immigrant visa to the
    > USA. I have looked around and can't seem to find anything that outlines
the
    > steps to be taken in language I can understand.
    > I am married to a US citizen and we will head to Oregon when I retire in
about
    > 12 months time. We have been married for 8 years and lived in the UK all
that
    > time.
    > What I'm looking for is a guide to what we need to do in the UK to apply.
I
    > think we have a good understanding but want to make sure. But perhaps more
    > importantly what we need to do when we arrive in the US.
    > Thanks
    > -
    > Lansbury
    > www.uk-air.net
    > FAQs for the alt.travel.uk.air newsgroup

Bluegrass Lass

I assume that your US Citizen spouse is a Permanent Resident of the UK if you have been living there for 8 years. This makes you guys special. The easiest way for you to get the visa you need to enter the country is to file the I-130 form directly with the US Embassy in London. Right now, I believe the waiting times for this to be approved are around 8-12 weeks or so. Upon approval, you will be given the IR-1 visa in your passport. Then, when you enter the US with this visa, you will automatically enter as a Green Card holder/Permanent Resident.

I don't know of any books that you can read, but you can most definitely call and or email the London Embassy for further information about your situation. The address is [email protected] I think. If that isn't correct, I'm sure someone will correct me.

Good luck!

Folinskyinla

http://nolo.com/lawstore/products/pr...437DA6EE610EDA

Hypertweeky

Idiots guide?? How about an Immigration guide for dummies? (I mean no offense by that!)
You have been given a few helpful links.. Good Luck!!

Lansbury

Thanks for the helpful replies and pointers
-
Lansbury
www.uk-air.net
FAQs for the alt.travel.uk.air newsgroup

Bluegrass Lass

Just a quick question MrF. I followed the link for that book, and it defnintely looks quite good, but would it have a section on 'DCF'? Since his wife is a USC and has LTR in the UK they can use that route, but I didn't see that section listed on book information....just wondering..

Folinskyinla

Hi:

I really don't know. However, I've seen other stuff from Nolo and I've always found it quite good. One thing I like about their books is that although they promote "DIY", they do not hesitate to say when necessary -- you are out of your league, get an attorney.

I try and emulate that attitude on this NG.