British Expatriate Network

Hi,
I have been in the US for 6 months on a J1 visa.
I am getting married in July and then my wife will be applying to get a J2. She will be applying for the J2 in Madrid.

She is a Spanish national but has lived in England for 7 years. Her old passport had a stamp in it from the Spanish Consulate in Manchester saying she was a UK resident , or something to that effect.

She recently got a new passport which does not have the stamp in it. In two weeks she moves back to Spain to live for the remaining 8 weeks before the wedding.

One of the questions for the J2 form and her being put into the "system" is country of residence.

Which is better for her to put? UK or Spain?

From what I can tell, they like to see financial ties to a country or some kind of evidence suggesting that home is still where you are coming from, and where you will return to when the visa expires.

Any advice appreciated

Smythey

Living in Canada, I don't know very much about the U.S system or what country they'd prefer. Theoretically EU countries should be treated equally but I suspect the U.S prefers Brits even if it's not stated policy.

But if your wife has a new Spanish passport with nothing in it to prove British residency then I think it will be very difficult to convince the Americans of that. Something in an old passport I would think is worthless now. She needs a certificate for the right of abode in the U.K in her current passport but if she's leaving in two weeks - there probably won't be time.

Th BCIS (INS) likes paperwork. If your fiancee doesn't have a UK ROA stamp or other proof of ties to the UK then it may be diffcult to prove residency there. Can she go down to the UK offices and get a temporary visa/ stamp? I'm not all that familiar with the UK Immigration services.

Perhaps you should phone the UK Embassy here who might be able to assist you on both ends.


Good luck smile

ukm

I've told you already man, don't marry her, then you don't have to worry about crap like this.

Wouldn't you rather get lashed with the lads every week? roll

wink

Richie

You can use a utility bill or whatever to prove residency in the UK for US BCIS purposes.