Question:
I'm a [naturalized] US citizen and
I'm now looking to sponsor my UK-based
parents. While the process appears
straightforward enough, I have a
few questions which I am hoping
someone can answer for me:
1. In addition
to the I-130 [Petition for an Alien
Relative] and I-134 [Afffidavit
of Support], is there additional
documentation that I will need to
complete?
2. As my folks
currently live in the UK, where
should I apply? Do they need to
apply with me, in person, in the
US? Or, do I need to apply with
them - on person - at the US consulate
in London? Or, can I just apply
on their behalf in the US, and the
US consulate in the UK will pick
things up from there?
3. As they
do not need an immigrant visa number,
how long are the processing times?
Or, how long before they can expect
to receive their Permanent Resident
cards?
Answer:
1. See: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/2806/index.html
for an overview. Basically you will
also need biographical info., birth
certificates, a copy of your naturalization
certificate, etc.
2. Normally
you would apply to the regional
service center which has juristriction
over your area. An interesting thought
is consulate processing - usually
the US consulate in London will
only take petions from residents
in the UK. Assuming you also have
UK citizenship I wonder whether
you would be able to petition directly.
Anyway, assuming you use one of
the four service centers you apply
to them.
3. Processing
times vary a lot by service center.
Then you will need to allow time
for your parents to get their visas
from the consulate. They will get
immigrant visas and become permanent
residents upon entry to the US (an
I-551 is stamped in the passport,
the actual cards come a couple of
months later). See the following
for processing times: http://www.shusterman.com/toc-sc.html
