Nystate Of Mind

(I just realized I posted on the wrong thread so I reposted it on this
on instead. )



Hello everyone, I posted about several weeks ago regarding getting my
husband to the U.S. Well we finally got the ball rolling. At first I
thought I would stick it out here in London but coming back after our
honeymoon he noticed a major change in me. He kept on pressing me to
start the paperwork but I denied my feelings telling him I'll be fine,
etc. for a couple of more years, etc. I felt really guilty that I would
make him quit his job since he just started 10 months ago, have him go
through the process all over again of finding another one, if his
present company does not offer him a transfer, on and on and on. Well he
finally convinced me that it would not be a failure if we went back to
NY. That at least I tried, learned, lived and experienced living here in
London. That in itself is not a failure but success. I'm a very lucky
women. Anyway I am SO very excited to go back home.



I'm filing directly with the American Embassy in London. I have
the following in order and will be mailing it out soon -
registered of course!!



If anyone who has been through this process and can share your
experience, it would be truly appreciated.



1. Credit Card Form

2. I-130 form

3. G-325a Biographic Information (4 pages per form) one for him and one
set for me

4. Our passport sized photos

5. Copy of my birth certificate

6. Copy of our marriage license

7. Copies of both our passports



Is there anything else that I may be missing? I read the instructions a
million times and just want to make sure. I know it's going to be a long
process but I'm just happy knowing that I will be back home in 6 to 12
months or so.



I just read something about a UK Police Certificate??? Can anyone
explain to me what that is and how I go about getting it? Obviously
it's some type of background check from Scotland Yard. But this
certificate when are are told when we need it. After our I-130
petition has been received and we have a case number?? I'm very
confused about this one.



Thanks a bunch!!

Ray Quayle

Hey NY,
We're doing the same thing (DCF via London), so we should be able to keep
each other up on the process. I'm a first timer on all this, so all I can
do is relate my experiences so far, others can go much more in depth. We
started out by filling out the I-130 and a G-325A for each of us. Got the
photos done to ADIT reqs at a photo booth. Put the package together with
the I-130, the G-325As, photos, our Marriage Certificate (Married in the UK
12 years ago and I've (I'm the USC) been here 14 years), copy of my US
Passport and my US Government Orders along with the credit card payment form
(to more quickly track payment) to the DHS (Immigration) office at the
Embassy on the 5th of December. It was signed for on the 8th and the credit
card was charged on the 9th. The petition was filed and approved on the 9th
and I received the NOA on the 15th, yesterday. I sent the completed
DS-230-1 to the IVU today to get a case opened, but will have to wait on the
Police Certificate before returning the DS-2001. We sent off for the Police
Certificate on the 5th, but it can take up to 40 days, so we're waiting on
that. To get a Police Certificate, go to your local Police Station and
request the Subject Access Form. This you return or mail in with £10 and it
will eventually get you the Certificate.

Please keep us posted on your progress and any tips and info you pick up
along the way. I'll do the same.

Ray Q

"NYState of Mind" <member3487@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:...
    > (I just realized I posted on the wrong thread so I reposted it on this
    > on instead. )
    > Hello everyone, I posted about several weeks ago regarding getting my
    > husband to the U.S. Well we finally got the ball rolling. At first I
    > thought I would stick it out here in London but coming back after our
    > honeymoon he noticed a major change in me. He kept on pressing me to
    > start the paperwork but I denied my feelings telling him I'll be fine,
    > etc. for a couple of more years, etc. I felt really guilty that I would
    > make him quit his job since he just started 10 months ago, have him go
    > through the process all over again of finding another one, if his
    > present company does not offer him a transfer, on and on and on. Well he
    > finally convinced me that it would not be a failure if we went back to
    > NY. That at least I tried, learned, lived and experienced living here in
    > London. That in itself is not a failure but success. I'm a very lucky
    > women. Anyway I am SO very excited to go back home.
    > I'm filing directly with the American Embassy in London. I have
    > the following in order and will be mailing it out soon -
    > registered of course!!
    > If anyone who has been through this process and can share your
    > experience, it would be truly appreciated.
    > 1. Credit Card Form
    > 2. I-130 form
    > 3. G-325a Biographic Information (4 pages per form) one for him and one
    > set for me
    > 4. Our passport sized photos
    > 5. Copy of my birth certificate
    > 6. Copy of our marriage license
    > 7. Copies of both our passports
    > Is there anything else that I may be missing? I read the instructions a
    > million times and just want to make sure. I know it's going to be a long
    > process but I'm just happy knowing that I will be back home in 6 to 12
    > months or so.
    > I just read something about a UK Police Certificate??? Can anyone
    > explain to me what that is and how I go about getting it? Obviously
    > it's some type of background check from Scotland Yard. But this
    > certificate when are are told when we need it. After our I-130
    > petition has been received and we have a case number?? I'm very
    > confused about this one.
    > Thanks a bunch!!
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Nystate Of Mind

Originally posted by Ray Quayle

    > Hey NY,

    > We're doing the same thing (DCF via London), so we should be
    > able to keep

    > each other up on the process. I'm a first timer on all this, so
    > all I can

    > do is relate my experiences so far



Oh my god thank you so much Ray. I'm still confused though. I called
the London Embassy today and they said that I could not drop off my
petition (I-130, G-325a, etc.) that I had to mail it in? I'm hearing
conflicting reports. Did you mail it or drop it off personally? Sounds
like you dropped it off. I would like to drop it off.



The other question I have is what are these ADIT pictures??? I've read
you don't need to worry about those until you receive the 2nd step of
the process (I think it's the OF-230 forms or something like that).
Also I read on the instructions for the I-130 that only one passport
photo is required for this first step. What are U.S. Government
orders??? That's the first that I've heard, do I need those too?



It doesn't matter that my husband is Belgian? Right?



I'm sorry to have so many questions. You ARE A STAR... Thank you so
much to responding to my question.

L D Jones

NYState of Mind wrote:
    >
    > Originally posted by Ray Quayle
    >
    > > Hey NY,
    >
    > > We're doing the same thing (DCF via London), so we should be
    > > able to keep
    >
    > > each other up on the process. I'm a first timer on all this, so
    > > all I can
    >
    > > do is relate my experiences so far
    >
    > Oh my god thank you so much Ray. I'm still confused though. I called
    > the London Embassy today and they said that I could not drop off my
    > petition (I-130, G-325a, etc.) that I had to mail it in? I'm hearing
    > conflicting reports. Did you mail it or drop it off personally? Sounds
    > like you dropped it off. I would like to drop it off.

You have to post it. See
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/ins/insindex.htm

"Note: If you wish to file an I-130 immigrant visa petition on behalf of
a relative, the petition must be filed by mail..."

    > It doesn't matter that my husband is Belgian? Right?

Interesting. I don't recall reading here about a couple filing directly
in London where one was not a British citizen. Since you must be a
resident in the UK to file directly at the consulate (known as "DCF" or
'direct consular filing' in this group) I suppose the consulate won't
have a problem (but that's just a guess). If they deny the petition (and
I am not saying they will) I would check on direct filing in Brussels

Note that DCF is _not_ an official term

Ray Quayle

NY,
Sorry if my story misled you. I should have said, ""Put the package
together ..." and posted it to the DHS (Immigration) office at the Embassy,
First Class Recorded delivery on the 5th and it was signed for upon receipt
at the Embassy on the 8th." Unless you're employed by the US Government,
you won't have US Government orders. I sent a copy of mine as more evidence
of my UK residence, a requirement for DCF. I believe you're right regarding
the I-130 photos and ADIT requirements. I suspect the Embassy would have
taken normal full face passport style photos, but while we were getting them
done, I thought we'd get enough to get us through the whole process and had
them all done ADIT style, hoping the Embassy would accept them for the
I-130. One of these photos is required for each G-325A, so I sent one of
me, the petitioner and one of my wife, the beneficiary. As far as you
husband being Belgian, I'm at a loss there. From what little I understand,
both petitioner and beneficiary have to be residents of the UK. I don't
remember reading that one had to be a UKC, but best to check with the
Embassy, email at .

Again, sorry for my poor wording in my original post that caused your
confusion.

Ray Q
"NYState of Mind" <member3487@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:...
    > Originally posted by Ray Quayle
    > > Hey NY,
    > > We're doing the same thing (DCF via London), so we should be
    > > able to keep
    > > each other up on the process. I'm a first timer on all this, so
    > > all I can
    > > do is relate my experiences so far
    > Oh my god thank you so much Ray. I'm still confused though. I called
    > the London Embassy today and they said that I could not drop off my
    > petition (I-130, G-325a, etc.) that I had to mail it in? I'm hearing
    > conflicting reports. Did you mail it or drop it off personally? Sounds
    > like you dropped it off. I would like to drop it off.
    > The other question I have is what are these ADIT pictures??? I've read
    > you don't need to worry about those until you receive the 2nd step of
    > the process (I think it's the OF-230 forms or something like that).
    > Also I read on the instructions for the I-130 that only one passport
    > photo is required for this first step. What are U.S. Government
    > orders??? That's the first that I've heard, do I need those too?
    > It doesn't matter that my husband is Belgian? Right?
    > I'm sorry to have so many questions. You ARE A STAR... Thank you so
    > much to responding to my question.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Nystate Of Mind

Originally posted by Ray Quayle

    > NY,

    > Sorry if my story misled you.



No worries Ray. I took your advice and called the embassy. There's no
problem with him being a Belgian citizen because we're both UK
residents.



So now it's just a waiting game. Which will probably take a little
longer due to the holidays.



Good luck to you as well. Let's keep eachother posted. Cheers and have
a great holiday.

Mrslondon

Sorry London didn't work out. I love it but everyone's different I
guess. Apparantly it takes USC longer to settle in the UK than it does
UKC in the US. Most people say to give it at least a year. I know my
hubby had a lot of trouble settling in the UK, but he is fine now.

Btw I think 6 to 12 months is a long estimate for DCF. That's more the
timeframe for K3. You may get it in 3 months or less.

Don't forget if you have been married over 2 years, your hubby should
not have to get a conditional greencard.

Nystate Of Mind

Originally posted by MrsLondon

    > Most people say to give it at least a year.





Don't be sorry, I'm not. I am greatful for the time spent here. But
it's not my home nor will it ever be. It's been two years for me and to
put it bluntly or in the most diplomatic way I can - I have a love hate
relationship with London/UK. I love London for the European history and
the convenient travelling to so many different countries but that's as
far as it goes. If after two years I still haven't settled here there
is definitely something wrong. At least I had a go at it. It's better
than to have tried then not to try at all. I just have too much Red,
White and Blue pumping through my veins as well as my NY roots which are
deeply embedded. I feel like a fish out of water here and in the two
years I 've been here I have not made one true female friend. All the
friends that I have are only because of my husband and are more
acquaintences than actual girlfriends.



As for the timeframe I'm telling myself it's going to take at least a
year. And during that year we will be taking advantage and enjoying one
of the main reasons why I love living in Europe - the travelling!!

Ray Quayle

NY,
Certainly allowing at least a year for DCF will ensure that you will not be
disappointed. I started on the 5th of December and am hoping for the visa
by mid February and that's allowing a bit for the Holidays. Now I may be
disappointed hoping for that timeline, but I won't be distraught.

Like MrsLondon, I too am sorry you weren't able to make England your home.
I was an Anglophile from the moment I saw my first episode of Monty Python
as a teenager. Moving to Yorkshire in 1990, I settled immediately and have
made many friends that will be with me for life. I suppose I'll always
consider the US home, but I suppose I'm as much BLOKE as YANK now.

Got the receipt back from the Police for the certificate today. We'll see
how close to the 40 days they take.

Ray Q

"NYState of Mind" <member3487@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:...
    > Originally posted by MrsLondon
    > > Most people say to give it at least a year.
    > Don't be sorry, I'm not. I am greatful for the time spent here. But
    > it's not my home nor will it ever be. It's been two years for me and to
    > put it bluntly or in the most diplomatic way I can - I have a love hate
    > relationship with London/UK. I love London for the European history and
    > the convenient travelling to so many different countries but that's as
    > far as it goes. If after two years I still haven't settled here there
    > is definitely something wrong. At least I had a go at it. It's better
    > than to have tried then not to try at all. I just have too much Red,
    > White and Blue pumping through my veins as well as my NY roots which are
    > deeply embedded. I feel like a fish out of water here and in the two
    > years I 've been here I have not made one true female friend. All the
    > friends that I have are only because of my husband and are more
    > acquaintences than actual girlfriends.
    > As for the timeframe I'm telling myself it's going to take at least a
    > year. And during that year we will be taking advantage and enjoying one
    > of the main reasons why I love living in Europe - the travelling!!
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com