UK to US, ideas on what it might be like

[Honour]

Bit of background to me and my SO - we've been together 8 months give or take a few days. He's in Arizona, USA, I'm here in north Wales, UK. He has a full time job as a CO in a detention center, I'm halfway through my second year at university, not currently employed and have little to no experience of employment (have around 18 months to go). We meet in April next year for the first time, and he'll also meet my parents. I'm considering going over there in summer 2016 to meet his parents. The topic of closing the distance has been broached many times in the time we've been together: when he's over here we'll pass our 1 year mark of knowing one another and being together. We are both quite clear on how we want to close the distance: I'd be going over there, because there is literally nothing for me over here other than my parents and schooling, and the schooling part will be over sooner rather than later.

My question is, to those of you who've closed the distance or are in the process of doing so from the UK to US, what sort of things did you have to do to begin the process? What visas? Greencard? What happens to the UK national insurance number once you're abroad? What's healthcare like? Shipping of belongings? Price/cost of this all roughly? I'm curious, because I honestly have no clue where I'd start. Keep in mind, we won't be able to even consider closing the distance for another 18 months at least, but I really want to start planning this early on, if we meet and things go as well as I think they will. I'm not concerned about meeting him and things not working out... we get on so well, and fit together so well, and we practically live in each other's lives anyway.

P.S My parents are both aware of all this. In fact, they keep saying, the sooner the better, because then I'll be where I really want to be lol. His mother, more than his father, is beginning to realise this is actually serious, that her son isn't just having a "phase" or something. They both know about me, but we've never had direct contact, only through my SO. My parents have had direct contact with my SO before.

[lucybelle]

Read through visajourney.com

Not sure about healthcare but I assume when you are no longer a resident of the U.K., you will no longer have their healthcare.

Shipping stuff is extremely expensive. On both of our international moves we packed what we could in two checked bags each and that was it. Everything else was donated or sold.

[Ella85]

If you decide on closing the distance via marriage there are two types of visas depending on which way you go. Most people do the K-1, but some people get married and do the CR-1 I think thats what it was called (it's on visa journey so look on there as I might of forgot the name of the spousal visa). The K-1 you have 90 days to get married and then AOS (Adjustment of Status) to apply for your green card and work authorization. You then have to wait 90 days after you apply for work authorization to be able to work as that form takes 90 days to process.

I'm mostly taking things over on trips now as we are hoping (visa willing) that I'll be moving at the end of July. So this trip I am taking 2 big suite cases weighing 20 and 19 kg and 2 smaller suite cases weighing 8kg each. I'm then taking back pack for things we need this trip. SO said he'll take a big case back with him on his trip in march, then we'll have another 2 big ones, 2 small ones etc when we move. That'll keep the cost down. But I am planning on sending 3, 25kg boxes in April which I have been quoted between £270- £450 for. I'll be putting down a deposit when I get back in January as I've not had time to think about it properly before this trip.

As for healthcare, insurance policies are expensive but you'll need one. There is some type of feudal healthcare programme (I think maybe obama care) that immigrants are entitled to. But I can't remember. There is someone on visa journey who has the link in their profile. As for NI, I don't know. I won't of paid enough on mine to get anything, I just assume you have to inform HMR which I will do in June/July next year.

You could technically file for a k-1, 6 months before you finish college and as long as it processes in that time, move as soon as you graduate. From what I have seen they are filing in 3-5 months right now. But the website does specify that they can take 8-10 months from start to finish. It does cost quite a bit of money as well and you have to meet an income threshold or have a co-sponsor that earns 125% or above of the feudal poverty level.

That's a basic run down for you based on what I know for my own process.

[Honour]

It does cost quite a bit of money as well and you have to meet an income threshold or have a co-sponsor that earns 125% or above of the feudal poverty level.

Co-sponsor? Would that mean my SO? Or someone else?

[Ella85]

Co-sponsor? Would that mean my SO? Or someone else?

If he didn't earn enough a co-sponsor would be someone who would sponsor you financially if he didn't meet financial requirements. But he would be the main sponsor as he'd be the one petitioning your visa.

[snow]

I agree with lucybelle, you should pack as much as possible in the suitcases you can take with you as shipping is just ridiculously expensive - I sent Christmas gifts for my family this weekend and payed $70 for 10lbs.

On my last trip (I assume because of my visa) I was allowed to take 2 suitcases of 23lbs, a carry-on and a laptop bag/purse, so that's what I did, fully packed with everything I could take with me. I plan to take the stuff that I left when I visit my family with my husband.

If you plan to go through the K1 / CR-1 visa, you should check out visajourney.com and you will find all of the information you will need - I would count on at least $2500-$3000 for the fees.