US citizen wanting to marry a UK citizen

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

Here is from their website. Unlike the LA Embassy, there is no link to Legal or Consultants.

So give them a call, perhaps.

You can glean info from the LA one too - just its not where you'd send your application.

British Consulate-General - Houston

How we can help

The British Consulate General in Houston covers the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. There are additional Consular Representatives in San Antonio TX, Tulsa OK and New Orleans LA. Please direct your first contact through the British Consulate General in Houston.

The Consular Office is open from 9am - 1pm daily.

For assistance, please call 713 659 6270.

Thanks-and yes I found that website. And I found Adviser Finder: The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and one that is for free immigration advise as well, but they are in uk. Thats why i was wondering if you sent it to someone in uk first to be looked over.
Because as i see on the LA website there is a list of lawyers they give for USA, but on Houstons website they do not list lawyers...grrrr darn it
Thanks!

[Shipresa]

This is my opinion only. I do know that Houston has so many lawyers that deal with emigration and immigration; phone calls cost nothing to see.

We used a freelance agent. This is a person who facilitates visas. I used one (found on Google) for a visa to Burundi from their Embassy in Wash DC, and since I didn't remember the name, googled again for a visa facilitation to Brazil.

Call the embassy in Houston and ask about agents (not lawyers.) An agent merely hand delivers and reviews your packet. You sent your packet to the agent, and he/she takes it to the consul section.

I see no reason at all to send a packet overseas to UK!

Again, if I had to do it again, we'd simply post it directly to the visa section and skip the agent altogether, and save the $200. Settlement visas are more consuming than spouse visa, so its just my opinion that if I had to do it again, I'd forget about the agent all together. But we were so worried about our situation (six months together only; sent in visa application after our US-based wedding.)

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

This is my opinion only. I do know that Houston has so many lawyers that deal with emigration and immigration; phone calls cost nothing to see.

We used a freelance agent. This is a person who facilitates visas. I used one (found on Google) for a visa to Burundi from their Embassy in Wash DC, and since I didn't remember the name, googled again for a visa facilitation to Brazil.

Call the embassy in Houston and ask about agents (not lawyers.) An agent merely hand delivers and reviews your packet. You sent your packet to the agent, and he/she takes it to the consul section.

I see no reason at all to send a packet overseas to UK!

Again, if I had to do it again, we'd simply post it directly to the visa section and skip the agent altogether, and save the $200. Settlement visas are more consuming than spouse visa, so its just my opinion that if I had to do it again, I'd forget about the agent all together. But we were so worried about our situation (six months together only; sent in visa application after our US-based wedding.)

thanks!
ya im just so worried about OVER doing everything!!!! you have been such a great help!
and i cant even imagine the settlement visa (bites nails)...but one thing at a time!!!
Did you adjust well when you moved? your from las vegas ya?
anywho~thanks again!

[Pyretta]

I resubmitted my marriage visitor visa application, the original, and received this in my email:

Please be advised that an Entry Clearance Officer has reviewed your application. The Entry Clearance Officer has assessed that your application is not straightforward and has deferred your case in order to make further enquiries.

Our target time for this process is 10 workings days for most non-settlement applications

Settlement applications may take up to 50 working days.

Please do not contact this office for a status check, as we are unable to provide this service.


There were some things I'd changed once I printed out the application, a couple things I'd forgotten about. But I also provided documentation to support the answer and letters w/each explaining why I'd not put it on the application originally. Could this be why? The only other thing I can think of is that on the question about what I plan to do after the marriage ceremony, I answered apply for settlement. Though I don't see what could be wrong with that answer.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!