Kristie999

I just posted this in the Intro forum and thought I'd post it here too:

Hello! My name is Kristie and I joined this forum today finally after MONTHS of lurking and getting information.

I'm newly married to my favorite person on the planet. We met in the US November 2009 and have been commuting between Texas and Wales ever since. We got married last month in Wales and are just now starting the immigration process.

I thought it might be nice to join a group of my peers who are going through or have gone through this process. We are doing the immigration ourselves instead of using an attorney and I bet I'll have a million questions along the way.

I'd love any advice or tips to help make this process as smooth as possible if you've got anything to share.

Thank you!

Mummy in the foothills

Are you the USC living in Texas or on a Visa yourself?
Congratulations on the wedding

Kristie999

Thank you!

I'm an American citizen, born and raised.

Guindalf

He can come, but the sheep have to stay!!!

It is absolutely not necessary to pay an attorney. All the info is available here or on the USCIS site and he can apply from the UK, paying the necessary fees. It's a frustrating, time-consuming process, but worth it in the end. I came on a K-1 fiance visa and married within the required six months, so I'm not sure what is required if you are already married. I know others will be able to answer specific questions, but I just wanted to say welcome to the forum and good luck!

Kristie999

Thank you for the welcome!

I've done a TON of research and we did met an attorney to make a decision if we wanted to use one or not. When we were choosing which way he'd come over here (fiancee vs spouse) it just seemed, for us, bringing him over as my spouse was a better option.

I've got all the paperwork filled out and nearly ready to mail. Yikes!!

I bet we'll be buried in papers by the end of this process, huh?

scrubbedexpat099

90 days, not 6 months.

Guindalf

Whatever - it was nearly 15 years ago!

At my age, the memory goes first, I think....

Who are you again?

(BTW, Kristie, if you don't get the sheep reference, ask hubby. I'm sure he'll explain! )

Kristie999

Oh, I KNOW all about the sheep. They outnumber humans something CRAZY! HAHA!

Noorah101

Welcome to BE, Kristie!

For your Immigration related questions, please post over in the US Marriage Based Visa forum, here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35.

As the USC, are you living in Wales right now? Or will you be returning to the USA? Will you be filing the I-130 to the Chicago lockbox in the USA?

Since you've done so much research, I'm sure you know your husband won't get his Immigrant Visa for about 8 to 10 months, right?

Rene

Kristie999

I'm in the US right now and my husband is in Wales. The form I'm using is the I-130 and yes it'll be mailed to Chicago.

And yes, unfortunetly, I know it'll take 8-10 months. I'm banking on it taking a year for my own sanity, just in case. We've been commuting for nearly 3 years so another 8-10 months, or a year, won't be too awful. I hope, at least!

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE Christie.

Many of the people who post in the Marriage Based Visa forum have been down the same road you and your husband are travelling. They will do their best to answer any questions you may have about the immigration process.

I hope you enjoy taking part in our cyber community.

Guindalf

Oooo Jg, you make it sound so.....dirty!

Jerseygirl

That's 'cos I'm a dirty girl.

tonrob

Tidy.

Nigs

Where are you moving to in Texas?