K- Ill try and answer each question.
1) After marriage, should we file the K3 which I believe would allow me to enter the US whilst the other forms are being processed?
You could file for either the K3 or the IR1/CR1 visa. In my opinion the IR1/CR1 is the better visa as you become a permanent resident upon arrival in the States and are therefore work authorised immediately. With the K3, you need to undergo Adjustment of Status to become a permanent resident once you arrive in the States. This takes many months and currently costs $1010 (work authorisation takes approx 3 months to obtain from filing). And yes, you can visit the States whilst the petition is in progress. Just be aware that the POE officers probably know that this is in progress so you many get extra scruntiny when you try to enter....so arrive armed with lots of information proving your ties to the UK (eg, rent agreements/mortgage papers, letter from employer stating when youre due back at work, car loan payments etc). There will always be the possibility that you could be denied entry (as there is when youre entering without even having a visa in the works), so be prepared for that just in case.
2) What sort of time frame would this be on?
Its looking like the time from reciept of the K3 and IR1/CR1 petitions and their initial approvals is round about 210 days.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?cfl=&autocom=custom&page=k3historical
After this, the approved petition is sent to the relevant embassy where the interview is held, and I think in the UK you wait anywhere between 4-10 weeks to get an interview once they recieve it, so altogether youre looking at a time frame of any where between 8-12 months.
3) I am likely intending to do some kind of academic course starting next year, leading to a teaching qualification, how would this affect the above?
Will this be in the UK? Will it be finishing in June 2010? (I did a PGCE the year before we applied for my K1.....it was such a fun course
Anyway.....when the approved petition is sent to the London embassy, the embassy will sent you a checklist telling you of all the extra documents that you need to bring to the interview and how to schedule a medical. An interview date will not be set until you send back the checklist. As I was on the K1, my visa was only valid for 6 months from the date it was issued, so I delayed sending my checklist so that I got a later interview date (I wanted to finish the whole school year rather than quit during it). However, with the K3, that visa is valid for 2 years, so you will have time to finish your course. Im not sure how long the IR1/CR1 is valid for though.
Also....immigration talk aside....to be a teacher in the US, you need to become certified for the State that youre teaching in. I didnt know this before I moved so Im starting everything from scratch now (cant apply for jobs until Im certified). Youll need to sit 2 Praxis exams....one about general teaching and learning and one in the subject area that youre specialised in. It therefore might be worthwhile to look into exactly what you need to study up on so that youre ready to sit the tests once youre here and so get the certification ball rolling nice and early. Im kicking myself as I have a tonne of material to study before I can even think about taking the tests, thus delaying the time for me to get a 'proper job'. If you need any info on that, please ask away.
4) Is there an alternative, perhaps more straight forward / sensible approach?
It seems as though youve got your head screwed on the right way and know exactly what youre doing. As youre doing the education course then I def think that the route your describing seems like a good plan. The spouse/fiances ARE the most straight forward visas to apply for and obtain. If however, getting to the US asap is your main priority and the wedding month was flexible, then I would prob suggest the K1 fiance visa as you can apply for that 'now' (providing you are both free to marry and have met each other physically in the last 2 years) and it takes less time than a spouse visa.
Good luck and let me know what you decide
