Travel abroad during I-130

[pettor 0]

Married my wife in Toronto. I'm currently living in Wisconsin. I filed the I-130, approved on 22 March 2011.

I'm graduating as a pastor in May, and there's a possible job opportunity abroad - neither Canada nor USA. My questions:

1. Can she travel abroad, or does she have to stay in Canada?

2. What possible pitfalls might be involved, besides increased processing time? US gov't mail is sent to my folks' house in Wisconsin.

Any other thoughts? I don't even know what it is that I don't know in this matter. Thanks!

peter

[YuAndDan 153]

1) No restriction on travel.

2) None

[canadian_wife 1,823]

She can travel anywhere she likes as long as the country lets her in!

Good luck

[M&Pooh 12]

Married my wife in Toronto. I'm currently living in Wisconsin. I filed the I-130, approved on 22 March 2011.

I'm graduating as a pastor in May, and there's a possible job opportunity abroad - neither Canada nor USA. My questions:

1. Can she travel abroad, or does she have to stay in Canada?

2. What possible pitfalls might be involved, besides increased processing time? US gov't mail is sent to my folks' house in Wisconsin.

Any other thoughts? I don't even know what it is that I don't know in this matter. Thanks!

peter

The idea is that after obtaining an immigrant visa, your wife should move to the US within 6 months and should establish the permanent residency, otherwise the visa will be forfeited. If she is overseas, it's unclear whether she can do that.

[pettor 0]

The idea is that after obtaining an immigrant visa, your wife should move to the US within 6 months and should establish the permanent residency, otherwise the visa will be forfeited. If she is overseas, it's unclear whether she can do that.

Thank you! That was the only other pitfall, that we would forfeit any progress or money invested thus far if we don't carry it through to completion.

[Harsh_77 718]

If i-130 is approved, she must be getting her interview date pretty soon. All I can think is they might send her time for interview and if she does not show up for interview, they might just put her file on side. (I think they hold it for a year – someone can correct me if I am wrong)

If you decide to pursue the application within that year, then you might have to reach out to CO or NVC and let them know and I guess they can reschedule the interview.

If you don’t respond within the year time frame, then you will have to restart the whole process from scratch.

Travelling to any other country does not make any difference to your i-130 or its process time.

[M&Pooh 12]

Thank you! That was the only other pitfall, that we would forfeit any progress or money invested thus far if we don't carry it through to completion.

Actually... you probably misled the people when saying your I130 is approved. Judging from your signature, you just got NOA1 - this means it's "accepted" by USCIS... "approval" should be 4-5 months away.

[pettor 0]

Actually... you probably misled the people when saying your I130 is approved. Judging from your signature, you just got NOA1 - this means it's "accepted" by USCIS... "approval" should be 4-5 months away.

Yeah, I just realized that. It's been accepted - hopefully approval will come by the end of July. Thanks!