Living Abroad Process Logistics IR-1/CR-1

[vermontcostarica 0]

We are living together in Costa Rica we have our marriage certificate. Direct Consular Filing isn't an option because I (the US Citizen) don't have 6 months of legal residency in the country. So ok...IR-1/CR-1.

Is there any possibility to complete this process with me living in Costa Rica with all the document mailings, signatures, payments etc.? I'm assuming that I'll have to have the documents fedexed to me by my parents or something...and then send them back to USCIS??!!

Any ideas?

You all are beautiful.

[sachinky 464]

I think it will be possible although you will have to prove domicile. I'd wait for the others to chime in.

Good luck.

[mrs. wife! 3]

We are living together in Costa Rica we have our marriage certificate. Direct Consular Filing isn't an option because I (the US Citizen) don't have 6 months of legal residency in the country. So ok...IR-1/CR-1.

Is there any possibility to complete this process with me living in Costa Rica with all the document mailings, signatures, payments etc.? I'm assuming that I'll have to have the documents fedexed to me by my parents or something...and then send them back to USCIS??!!

Any ideas?

You all are beautiful.

Me and my hubby are living in Brazil since our wedding. What we did was that we sent all the docts to his parents and have them forwarding to the USCIS. We are also applying for his residency down here, just in case, but that can take a long time.

Before he moved to BR, he changed his address to his parent's place, so all his mail, such as bank statements, credit card bills etc are been delivered at his parents.

We didnt have any problems so far. And I hope the consul will not pick on us at the interview! Good luck

[trailmix 77]

Hi,

Yes, no problem living in another country and filing your stuff directly with USCIS/NVC (we did it). Just give them your address in Costa Rica, your documents can be mailed there and you can mail/courier them back.

If you would prefer to use your parents address, or have them mail the stuff back for you after forwarding to them - you can do that too.

[mrs. wife! 3]

Hi,

Yes, no problem living in another country and filing your stuff directly with USCIS/NVC (we did it). Just give them your address in Costa Rica, your documents can be mailed there and you can mail/courier them back.

If you would prefer to use your parents address, or have them mail the stuff back for you after forwarding to them - you can do that too.

So can we mail stuff to the USCIS/NVC directly from Brazil?

Somebody told me we would have to have my in-laws sending, and I thought that was silly but I didn't want to take any risks. It's such a pain because it takes some time to get the mail there and then more time until his parents send it to the USCIS.

[trailmix 77]

Well, all I can say is we did it, from Canada. They sent all the stuff to our Canadian address, didn't seem to be a problem. Not sure why someone would tell you that so I can't really speak to that.

[vermontcostarica 0]

Thanks all -

So Trailmix,

you guys were both in Canada living and they didn't ask you to prove domicile in the US for any reason?

Well, all I can say is we did it, from Canada. They sent all the stuff to our Canadian address, didn't seem to be a problem. Not sure why someone would tell you that so I can't really speak to that.

[mrs. wife! 3]

Thanks!!! I don't mind too much receiving the papers directly, but the problem is to send them to USA. Takes too long and the fast way is too expansive. Anyway, it's good to know! Thanks a lot

** Canada is a beautiful country

Well, all I can say is we did it, from Canada. They sent all the stuff to our Canadian address, didn't seem to be a problem. Not sure why someone would tell you that so I can't really speak to that.

[trailmix 77]

Thanks all -

So Trailmix,

you guys were both in Canada living and they didn't ask you to prove domicile in the US for any reason?

Well, all I can say is we did it, from Canada. They sent all the stuff to our Canadian address, didn't seem to be a problem. Not sure why someone would tell you that so I can't really speak to that.

Absolutely I had to prove 'reestablishing' domicile - all sponsors not living in the U.S. have to prove domicile or intent to reestablish it

Yes it is Mrs. Silverman, thanks!

Another option, if you decide to use your parent's address, if you follow the guides on VJ you can really pretty much send them everything in advance that NVC will need so after you pay your fees online (at the NVC stage) you can tell them when to send a particular envelope for the DS-230 or the I-864. While you are waiting for your I-130 to be approved you have a few months to gather all civil documents you will need, download and sign all the forms and get them to them before they are needed.

Edited December 9, 2009 by trailmix

[vermontcostarica 0]

Maybe I don't know what "domicile" is. If you were in CANADA what does that mean?

Thanks all -

So Trailmix,

you guys were both in Canada living and they didn't ask you to prove domicile in the US for any reason?

Well, all I can say is we did it, from Canada. They sent all the stuff to our Canadian address, didn't seem to be a problem. Not sure why someone would tell you that so I can't really speak to that.

Absolutely I had to prove 'reestablishing' domicile - all sponsors not living in the U.S. have to prove domicile or intent to reestablish it

Yes it is Mrs. Silverman, thanks!

Another option, if you decide to use your parent's address, if you follow the guides on VJ you can really pretty much send them everything in advance that NVC will need so after you pay your fees on line there you can tell them when to send a particular envelope for the DS-230 or the I-864. While you are waiting for your I-130 to be approved you have a few months to gather all civil documents you will need, download and sign all the forms and get them to them before they are needed.

[vermontcostarica 0]

Thanks for that info...Duh....I can collect all the forms and have them pre-signed and arranged for sending? That seems like a fantastic option. Thanks Trailmix!

Thanks all -

So Trailmix,

you guys were both in Canada living and they didn't ask you to prove domicile in the US for any reason?

Well, all I can say is we did it, from Canada. They sent all the stuff to our Canadian address, didn't seem to be a problem. Not sure why someone would tell you that so I can't really speak to that.

Absolutely I had to prove 'reestablishing' domicile - all sponsors not living in the U.S. have to prove domicile or intent to reestablish it

Yes it is Mrs. Silverman, thanks!

Another option, if you decide to use your parent's address, if you follow the guides on VJ you can really pretty much send them everything in advance that NVC will need so after you pay your fees online (at the NVC stage) you can tell them when to send a particular envelope for the DS-230 or the I-864. While you are waiting for your I-130 to be approved you have a few months to gather all civil documents you will need, download and sign all the forms and get them to them before they are needed.

[Abiding 0]

I did exactly that. I was living and working in El Salvador when I met my wife. We married here and lived together here. I also couldn't meet the requirements for DCF so I forwared all of the papers to my mother and she sent them to USCIS and then later to NVC. Domicile for me never was an issue because I'm a missionary and we're are exempt from proving domicile. My advice would be to send all the papers like you were living in the US. They will not know you are living with your wife in Costa Rica and therefore shouldn't have any problem. We had our interview yesterday and were approved for the CR-1.

[mrs. wife! 3]

Absolutely I had to prove 'reestablishing' domicile - all sponsors not living in the U.S. have to prove domicile or intent to reestablish it

Yes it is Mrs. Silverman, thanks!

Another option, if you decide to use your parent's address, if you follow the guides on VJ you can really pretty much send them everything in advance that NVC will need so after you pay your fees online (at the NVC stage) you can tell them when to send a particular envelope for the DS-230 or the I-864. While you are waiting for your I-130 to be approved you have a few months to gather all civil documents you will need, download and sign all the forms and get them to them before they are needed.

Thanks Trailmix, that's a great idea! Also, how did you prove you were going to reestablish domicile in the US? As he is down here we are using his parents as co-sponsors, so do we still need to prove it or only my in-laws?

I did exactly that. I was living and working in El Salvador when I met my wife. We married here and lived together here. I also couldn't meet the requirements for DCF so I forwared all of the papers to my mother and she sent them to USCIS and then later to NVC. Domicile for me never was an issue because I'm a missionary and we're are exempt from proving domicile. My advice would be to send all the papers like you were living in the US. They will not know you are living with your wife in Costa Rica and therefore shouldn't have any problem. We had our interview yesterday and were approved for the CR-1.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Edited December 9, 2009 by Mrs. Silverman

[vermontcostarica 0]

Wow congratulations Abiding! Thanks for your input. And...congratulations, congratulations congratulations!!

I did exactly that. I was living and working in El Salvador when I met my wife. We married here and lived together here. I also couldn't meet the requirements for DCF so I forwared all of the papers to my mother and she sent them to USCIS and then later to NVC. Domicile for me never was an issue because I'm a missionary and we're are exempt from proving domicile. My advice would be to send all the papers like you were living in the US. They will not know you are living with your wife in Costa Rica and therefore shouldn't have any problem. We had our interview yesterday and were approved for the CR-1.

[trailmix 77]

Thanks Trailmix, that's a great idea! Also, how did you prove you were going to reestablish domicile in the US? As he is down here we are using his parents as co-sponsors, so do we still need to prove it or only my in-laws?

Your Husband, as the U.S. citizen, will also have to prove domicile or intent to reestablish domicile no later than the intending immigrant.

Although you are using a joint sponsor, he is still the primary sponsor and of course will fill out an I-864.

There is a thread about proving intent to reestablish domicile here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=164618

Also be sure to check out all of the instructions about domicile on the I-864.

Maybe I don't know what "domicile" is. If you were in CANADA what does that mean?

No, you do understand, I mean 'domicile' means you are actually living there - even if, say you lived in another country temporarily for a couple of months (how much time you have been out of the U.S. is one important factor), if you have your residence and money and car etc etc all still in the U.S. - for immigration purposes you are probably still considered 'domiciled' there.

But, there are many cases where a spouse has immigrated to another country and can't really be considered domiciled in the U.S. anymore - that is where the 'reestablishing' domicile part comes in.

Anyway, if you read the thread above it will probably make more sense

Edited December 9, 2009 by trailmix