United Kingdom - London Field Office
Field Office Director
Elliott Cook
Service Area
The London Field Office has jurisdiction over U.S. immigration matters in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Street Address
United States Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London, England W1A 1AE
Mailing Address from the US
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
American Embassy London
Unit 8400 Box 26
DPO, AE 09498-0026
Mailing Address from Outside the US
USCIS Field Office
American Embassy (DHS/USCIS)
P.O. Box 2444
London W1A 5WT
Note: We recommend that you provide your e-mail address in any correspondence you send us so that we may reply quickly. A self-addressed stamped envelope with adequate British postage is required if a response by return mail is desired.
Express Mail address
Field Office Director
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
American Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
Office Location
The U.S. Embassy is located in Central London.
Hours of Operation
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on British and American holidays.
Phone, Fax Numbers & E-mail
Phone: Live operator information about U.S. immigration and visa matters is available by calling 09042-450-100.
Please Note: This number is only accessible from within the UK. Callers from outside the UK and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number. Calls to this line are charged at 1.20 British pounds per minute from BT landlines. Some mobile and network providers may charge more.
E-mail: uscis.london@dhs.gov
Services Provided
- Filing of Forms (I-600/I-600A) relating to Inter-County Adoptions
- Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status (I-407)
- Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
- Overseas Military Naturalization
- Petition for Alien Relative (I-130)
- Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant (I-360)
- Pickup of Reentry Permits for Lawful Permanent Residents
- Refugee and Asylum General Information
Visiting the office in person
Appointments:
All individuals that need to visit our office must first obtain an appointment. If you do not have an appointment you will not be permitted to enter the U.S. Embassy.
- Collection of reentry permits (you should only make an appointment after you have received a postcard/email from this office stating that your reentry permit has arrived)
Read more. (Refer to PDF) - Fingerprinting for Inter Country Adoptions (Hague Convention)
Read more (Refer to PDF); - Fingerprinting for Expeditious Naturalization under Section 319(b)
Read more (Refer to PDF); - Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Residency Status (Form I-407)
Read more (Refer to PDF)
Walk-ins: Walk-ins are no longer permitted at the U.S. Embassy in London.
Public Transportation
The U.S. Embassy is located in Central London, and is easily accessible from London's major railroad stations by taxi, bus, or tube (subway).
By Tube or Bus: The nearest tube station is the Bond Street station or the Marble Arch station.
Parking & Handicap Accessibility
Driving into Central London is not advised since parking is at a premium.
Accessibility for individuals with special needs is available.
Paying Fees
Fees for applications and petitions are listed in the Forms section of the USCIS website. The fees for all applications and petitions submitted to this office must be paid with either U.S. dollar cashier's check, U.S. dollar money order, an international bank draft made payable to the U.S. Disbursing Officer, or a credit card. Please do not mail cash, personal checks, or traveler’s checks. Please print your name and complete address on the back of your remittance.
Note: If you are paying by credit card please complete and submit the original signed Credit Card Payment Form (Refer to PDF)
Customer Feedback
We strive to provide quality service to our customers. If we have not lived up to this commitment, or if we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to the Field Office Director at the address given above, or to the:
District Director
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Department of Homeland Security
American Embassy
Via Boncompagni, 2Via Veneto 119/A
00187 Rome, Italy
If you feel you were mistreated by a U.S. immigration employee, or wish to make a complaint of misconduct by a U.S. immigration employee, you may write to the District Director, or write directly to the:
Department of Homeland Security
USCIS
Attn: Chief, International Operations Division
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
Forms
Immigration forms are available under the Forms section of the USCIS website which can be found on the right under related links.
Visas
For in-depth information about visas, please check the Visa Services section of the U.S. Department of State website.
Form I-407
The abandonment of lawful permanent resident status is irrevocable. An individual who relinquishes lawful permanent resident status must qualify again for such status. Therefore, one should give careful thought to abandoning lawful permanent resident status.
If you wish to abandon your permanent residence and relinquish your Permanent Resident Card or "Green Card", please download the I-407 Form and follow the instructions to complete the form.
Supporting Documentation
Please return the following items to the address below:
- Completed I-407
- Note 1: Item 6(a) - Be sure to state your reasons for abandoning your permanent resident status
- Note 2: Item 6(d) - Do not write anything in this block.
- Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
- Note 3: If you don't have your permanent resident card (lost/stolen/misplaced), please explain in 6(b).
- Your Permit to Re-Enter (I-327) (only if applicable)
- G-28 - Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative (only if applicable)
- A stamped, self-addressed envelope ( Note: If more than one application is submitted from one family, you only need to provide one envelope)
Special Note: Do not submit United States Social Security cards to this office. Contact the U.S. Embassy Federal Benefits Unit for information on the return of social security cards.
Mailing Address
USCIS I-407
American Embassy
P.O. Box 2444
London W1A 5WT
Once the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office receives your completed Form I-407 and your Permanent Resident Card, the appropriate documentation stamps will be placed on the form along with the USCIS officer's signature. A copy of this form will be returned to you in the stamped, self-address envelope you provide. This copy of the completed I-407 is your receipt and it validates the return of your Permanent Resident Card. You should keep a copy of the completed I-407 with your passport when you travel to the United States.
Abandoning your Permanent Resident Card and status does not affect your ability to apply to immigrate to the United States at some future time. However, you will have to begin the process anew and apply through the usual application process.
Forms I-600 & I-600A
Information on inter-country adoptions may be found at the Department of State website and on the USCIS online website which can be found on the right under related links. The London Field Office accepts I-600A applications, by mail or on an appointment basis, from U.S. citizens who reside in our jurisdiction.
Advance Processing of Orphan Petitions (I-600/600A)
U.S. citizens contemplating an international adoption should become familiar with the information provided by the Department of State on International Adoptions; and in particular information concerning Hague Adoption Convention. For non Hague Adoptions, the following guidelines are provided:
Adopted Children under the Hague Convention - Transition Cases
Under section 505 of the Inter Country Adoption Act, U.S. law does not require adoptive parents to follow Convention procedures to adopt a child from a Convention country, if the Form I-600A or Form I-600 was filed before the Convention entered into force. If USCIS extends the approval of the Form I-600A that was filed before the Convention enters into force, the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be able to file a Form I-600 in behalf of a child from a Convention country, after the Convention enters into force, so long as it is filed before the approval, or extension of approval, of Form I-600A expires.
Section 505, however, is not binding on another Convention country. Although U.S. law may permit you to continue to use the orphan process, because you filed a Form I-600A or Form I-600 before the Convention entered into force, the other Convention country may have its own rules on how to handle these transition cases. If, under the other Convention country's law, you must follow the Convention process, then you may not be able to adopt a child from that country, unless you do so.
UK Residency Requirement
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Embassy in London accepts I-600A applications by mail or appointment basis from U.S. citizens who reside in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. We require evidence in the form of a photocopy of the leave to remain stamp in the petitioner's passport (must also include a photocopy of the photo page of U.S. passport) or a letter from the Home Office confirming the petitioner's status in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland; or a copy of the petitioner's orders if he/she is a member of the U.S. military stationed in the United Kingdom.
Supporting Documentation to submit with your Petition
Very Important -Do not send original documents with the petition! Photocopies are acceptable.
- Official Translations: Any supporting documentation that you provide that is in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translation must be completed by an independent party. The party providing the translation must note that his/her work is accurate and that he/she is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.
- Proof of United States Citizenship: Any supporting documentation that you provide that is in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translation must be completed by an independent party. The party providing the translation must note that his/her work is accurate and that he/she is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.
- Marriage Certificate: Provide a marriage certificate issued by a public authority to show that a public record exists of the marriage between you and your spouse (if applicable).
- Divorce Decree(s) or Death Certificate(s): Provide a death certificate or divorce decree (absolute or final) issued by a public authority to show that a public record exists of the death or of the termination of all prior marriage(s) for both you and your spouse.
- Record of Name Change: If either you or your spouse is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents, you must provide legal documentation that effected the change; e.g., marriage certificate, adoption decree, court order or within the UK, a Statutory Declaration of 1835.
- Fingerprint Cards (FD-258): Two (2) fingerprint cards ARE required of all adults (age 18 or over) residing in the household. This office can take the required fingerprints but you will need to make an appointment by telephoning the Customer Service Call Center on 09042-450045. There is a charge of £1.20 for that call. If you are in the U.S. military, you may have your fingerprints taken by an authorized U.S. military authority.
- Home Study: The Home Study should be submitted with the application, however, if the Home Study is not submitted when the I-600A is filed, it must be submitted within one year of the filing of the advanced processing application, or the application will be denied. Some specific requirements on the Home Study:
- Copies: Only one copy of the Home Study must be submitted.
- Age of Home Study: The Home Study, or the most recent update to the home study, must not be more than six months old at the time the home study is submitted.
- Checking Available Child Abuse Registries: These checks must come from both the United States and the U.K., as appropriate, as most prospective adoptive parents have lived in both countries. In the U.K. this requirement can be met by obtaining an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau's Disclosure Service. . Please note that the Disclosure Application must be submitted to any Registered (Umbrella) Bodies in the UK for review before it can be forwarded to the Criminal Records Bureau for the appropriate checks. If you are residing in Scotland, you will need to obtain the disclosure from the Scotland Disclosure Service.
- Home Study Preparer's Certification and Statement of Authority to conduct home studies: The home study must include a statement in which the home study preparer certifies that he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized by the State of the orphan's proposed residence to research and prepare home studies. In the case of an orphan whose adoption was finalized abroad and whose adoptive parents reside abroad, the home study preparer must certify that he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct home studies under the law of any State of the United States, or authorized by the adoption authorities of the foreign country to conduct home studies under the laws of the foreign country. In every case, this statement must cite the State or country under whose authority the home study preparer is licensed or authorized, the specific law or regulation authorizing the preparer to conduct home studies, the license number, if any, and the expiration date, if any, of this authorization or license.
- Adoption Agency Review of Home Study: If the prospective adoptive parents reside in a State which requires the State to review the home study, such a review must occur and be documented before the home study is submitted to the Service. If the prospective adoptive parents reside abroad, an appropriate public or private adoption agency licensed, or otherwise authorized, by any State of the United States to place children for adoption, must review and favorably recommend the home study before it is submitted to the Service.
- Fee:The fee for each I-600A petition you file is $670.00. Do not mail cash or personal checks. The U.S. $670.00 fee must be in the following forms and made out to: "U.S. DISBURSING OFFICER".
- U.S. Cashier's Check
- U.S. Dollar Money Order
- International Bank Draft; OR.
- By credit card by downloading the Credit Card Payment form.
Mailing Address
Please send your petitions to:
USCIS I-600A
American Embassy
P.O. Box 2444
London W1A 5WT
Filing I-800/I-800A - Orphan Petitions Under the Hague Adoption Convention
U.S. citizens contemplating an international adoption from a country covered by the Hague Adoption Convention should become familiar with the information provided on our website USCIS Hague Adoption Convention. Information is also available on the Department of State website on Hague Adoption Convention.
Effective April 1, 2008, the Hague Convention significantly alters intercountry adoption processing. Intercountry adoptions between the United States and any other country that is a party to the Hague Convention (unless the Department of State determines that the Convention is not in force with a particular country) will be processed on new Forms I-800A and I-800.
USCIS has established a special unit to process all Hague inter country adoption applications and petitions at its USCIS National Benefits Center.
Where to File
You must file your form I-800A application with the appropriate USCIS office. Upon receipt of your application, it will be forwarded to a central USCIS office for adjudication and decision.
- If you live in the United States, the appropriate office will be the USCIS office with jurisdiction over your actual place of residence in the United States.
- If you live outside the United States, you may file either with the USCIS office overseas with jurisdiction over your current place or residence or with the USCIS office in the United States with jurisdiction over the proposed place of the child's residence in the United States.
You must always file your form I-800 with the USCIS office that approved or granted the most recent extension of your form I-800A.
Form I-600A and I-600 may not be filed for a child who habitually resides in a Hague country on or after April 1, 2008, unless the case was in process prior before that date.
Form I-130
The London Field Office accepts I-130 or I-360 petitions from U.S. citizens who reside in our jurisdiction.
Instructions for Filing an I-130 & I-360 with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services office in London
Who can file their I-130/I-360 at the London Field Office?
The USCIS London Field Office has jurisdiction for adjudicating I-130 and I-360 petitions from U.S. citizens who have permission to reside AND who do principally reside in the United Kingdom. See the I-130 Checklist for more details. U.S. citizens who reside in the United States must file their petition with the appropriate USCIS Service Center in the United States.
Be sure to include your U.S. address on the petition and submit the filing fee according to the instructions for filing in the U.S. which can be found on which can be found on the right under forms in related links.
U.S. citizens who reside overseas where there is no USCIS Field Office may be eligible to file with the Department of State at the American Embassy. Please see that Embassy's webpage for local filing procedures at http://travel.state.gov.
Lawful permanent residents must file the I-130 petition in the United States.
How do I file the petition?
Utilize the following checklists to file your I-130 ; they contain easy-to-follow detailed instructions.
- I-130 Petition for Alien Spouse [PDF, 2 pages]
- I-130 Petition for Alien Child [PDF, 2 pages]
- I-130 Petition for the Parent [PDF, 2 pages]
- I-130 Petition for Sister or Brother [PDF, 2 pages]
- I-130 Photo Requirements [PDF, 2 pages]
Processing Times
Upon receipt of the I-130, USCIS will send an email/postcard to the petitioner confirming the date the I-130/I-360 was filed with the USCIS London Field Office. Individuals will then be able to view on this web page the date we are currently processing petitions.
All I-130s/I-360's are adjudicated in the order they are received. We ask that you please refrain from contacting this office for status checks while your application is pending. Your cooperation will help us ensure that we maintain our exceptional processing times.
What happens after the I-130/I-360 is approved?
Filing your I-130/I-360 petition is only the first step of a two-part process. If your immediate relative petition is approved, the petitioner will receive a Notice of Approval. The original I-130/I-360 will normally be transferred to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate in the country where the beneficiary resides (unless you have specified otherwise on the I-130). The Immigrant Visa Unit will then process the immediate relative beneficiary for an immigrant visa.
For beneficiaries residing in the UK: If you have questions concerning the second part of the processing (Immigrant Visa Processing); you can visit http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ivprocess.html or alternatively, you may contact the Customer Call Centre at 09042-450-100.
Form N-400
USCIS offices overseas are only authorized to process applications for Naturalization for active duty military members and certain eligible family members. Please see below for information about filing your application, for required forms, and for the Overseas Military Naturalization Request Form. Military members should contact their military legal office if they require more information about filing for Naturalization.
Naturalization Abroad by Spouse of Members of the U.S. Armed Forces
On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R.4986 / Public Law 110-181) into law. Part of that law is a new section 319(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) which allows certain eligible spouses of members of the U.S. armed forces to naturalize abroad without traveling to the United States for any part of the naturalization process.
Filing N-600K - Children's Citizenship
Form N-600K must be filed with one of the USCIS offices in the United States.
In addition to the naturalization process, the United States recognizes the U.S. citizenship of individuals according to two fundamental principles: jus soli, or right of birthplace, and jus sanguinis, or right of blood.
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship at birth to almost all individuals born in the United States or in U.S. jurisdictions, according to the principle of jus soli. Certain individuals born in the United States, such as children of foreign heads of state or children of foreign diplomats, do not obtain U.S. citizenship under jus soli.
Certain individuals born outside of the United States are born citizens because of their parents, according to the principle of jus sanguinis, which holds that the country of citizenship of a child is the same as that of his/her parents. The U.S. Congress is responsible for enacting laws that determine how citizenship is conveyed by a U.S. citizen parent or parents according to the principle of jus sanguinis. These laws are contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Naturalization of Children who regularly reside outside the United States (Form N-600K)
Certain children who regularly reside outside the US may be eligible for citizenship under Section 322 of the INA. Form N-600K may be filed by:
- A U.S. citizen parent seeking citizenship on behalf of a minor adopted or biological child under section 322 of the INA (providing for citizenship through an application process for biological and adopted children who regularly reside outside of the US and meet certain conditions while under age 18), or
- If a U.S. citizen parent of a child who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of INA 322 has died, a US citizen grandparent or a U.S. legal guardian can file the application at any time within five years of the US citizen parent's death.
If the child's citizen parent has not lived in the United States for at least 5 years, 2 of which were after that parent's 14th birthday, the citizen parent currently has a parent (child's grandparent) who:
- Is also a U.S. citizen
- Lived in the United States for 5 years, at least 2 of which were after the citizen grandparent's 14th birthday
- May be living or deceased at the time of the adjudication of the application and the taking of the Oath
There are further requirements foe eligibility please see the Citizenship section on the USCIS website for Naturalization Children’s Citizenship eligibility criteria and the proper filing procedures.
Form I-131 Parole
The London Field Office does not issue Humanitarian Parole. Individuals must apply for Humanitarian Parole by submitting their applications to:
For US Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:
USCIS Dallas Lockbox
USCIS
PO Box 660865
Dallas, TX. 75266
For Express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: HP
2501 S. State Hwy 121, Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
Instructions on how to file an application for Humanitarian Parole are located on Form I-131.
Form I-131 Re-entry
The London Field Office cannot accept applications for Re-entry Permits or extend re-entry permits. Instructions on how to obtain or replace a Re-Entry Permit can be found in the How Do I Get A Travel Document section of the USCIS website which can be found on the right under related links.
Form I-590
The London Field Office does not process refugee applications. For general information and processing criteria please see the Department of State website and elsewhere in the Refugee section on the USCIS website which can be found on the right under related links.
Filing Form I-601 and I-212 from Abroad
If you are abroad and otherwise approved to immigrate to the United States, but a Department of State Consular Officer found you ineligible to enter because of one or more grounds of inadmissibility for which a waiver may be available, you may apply for a waiver by filing Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.
If you left the United States voluntarily after being issued an order of deportation or removal, were deported or removed, or re-entered the U.S. unlawfully after previously accumulating more than one year of unlawful presence, you may apply for readmission to the U.S. by filing Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission Into the United States After Deportation or Removal.
Where to File
On June 4, 2012, USCIS changed where waiver applications are filed. This will provide more efficient and consistent application processing, and allow you to track your case status online. You may also request an email or text message confirming receipt of your waiver by completing and attaching Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance to your application.
Waiver applications and supporting evidence should be mailed directly to the USCIS Lockbox. You may find the address for the appropriate USCIS Lockbox in the form instructions, as well as in the USCIS website at:
Our office will process your application if you submitted it on or before June 4, 2012.
Please see the policy memorandum, Exceptions for Permitting the Filing of Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, and any associated Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal, at an International USCIS Offices, for more information.
I-601 Expedited Adjudication Requests
If you are sending your application to the USCIS Lockbox and believe you have extraordinary circumstances that are time-sensitive and compelling, you may attach a written request to have your application expedited at the time of filing.
If you have already submitted your application to the Lockbox, you can make an expedite request by either contacting the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) directly by email, or by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center.
For information on how to contact the NSC and our National Customer Service Center, please visit the Contact Us page on the USCIS website.
If you filed a Form I-601 with this office on or before June 4, 2012, and it is still pending, you may request that the USCIS office expedite adjudication of your application when there are extraordinary circumstances that are time-sensitive, compelling, and would require you to be in the U.S. sooner than would be possible if your application was processed under a normal time frame. A strong desire to immigrate to the United States as soon as possible is not by itself “extraordinary.”
You must deliver a written request to expedite adjudication to the USCIS Field Office Director. You must also provide evidence of the extraordinary and compelling circumstance.
If your request to expedite the adjudication of an I-601 waiver is approved, the USCIS office will notify you within 15 days of receipt of your request. If you do not receive a response within 15 days, then it is very likely that your request has been denied.
Please be aware that approval to expedite adjudication of an I-601 waiver application does not guarantee that you will be approved, but only that consideration and adjudication of the I-601 waiver application will be expeditiously handled. If additional evidence is required, the adjudication of your application may be delayed. You will receive a Request for Evidence if additional evidence is needed. If your request for expedited processing is denied, your waiver will be adjudicated within normal processing times.
Filing the Application
In certain circumstances, individuals who have been found ineligible for an immigrant visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) may file an Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility (Form I-601). The I-601 is filed with the U.S. Consular Officer at the Embassy where the beneficiary of the petition applied for his/her Immigrant Visa. The Consular Officer then will send the I-601 application and all the required supporting documentation to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office with jurisdiction for adjudicating the application. If the waiver is approved, USCIS will send an approval notification to the appropriate Embassy for issuance of the immigrant visa. If the waiver is denied, the applicant will be notified in writing of that decision and provided instructions for submitting an appeal.
Jurisdiction for adjudicating the I-601 Application
The London Field Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has jurisdiction for adjudicating I-601 applications submitted to the Immigrant Visa Section at U.S. Embassies in the following countries: (1) United Kingdom; (2) Republic of Ireland; (3) Iceland; (4) Sweden; (5) Norway; (6) Denmark; and (7) Finland.
Tracking the status of your I-601 On-Line
Processing of The I-601
- Upon receipt of the I-601 package, USCIS will send a postcard via email or post to the applicant confirming when the I-601 was filed with the USCIS London Field Office.
- If you do not see your case number listed on our tracking system; this will mean that this office has not yet received your I-601 package from the U.S. Consular Officer where you had applied for the immigrant visa. In this case, you will need to contact the U.S. Consular Officer to ascertain the status of your application.
- We ask that you please refrain from contacting this office for status checks while your application is pending. Your cooperation will help us ensure that we maintain our exceptional processing times.
Transportation Boarding Letters
A transportation letter may be issued to a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident to replace a lost or stolen Alien Registration Card (Form I-551). You must contact US Customs and Border Protection at http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/cbp/index.html
