Filing I-130 from Abroad per Aug15th changes?

[TheReturn 0]

Hi all,

First post on VJ (which is a Godsend, btw!); all the information here is so helpful. My wife and I are just preparing to submit our paperwork to start the whole IR-1 process, so thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

I searched the forums for an answer to this question but didn't find it.

For USCs outside the US, Per changes Aug. 15th 2011, IR-1/CR-1 petitions can only be filed abroad (DCF) at Embassies/Consulates with a USCIS public counter presence. All others must send I-130s to the Chicago Lockbox directly. As a USC in a country without a USCIS counter (Georgia), this means I have to send all the docs to Chicago. Fine.

So two questions:

1. How do you pay the fee if living abroad? USCIS site says they need a personal check/money order drawn from a US financial institution. Does this mean I need to send to a relative in the US, have them obtain a money order, and then forward on with the full package to Chicago? Seems there has to be a better way to do this!

2. If my current address is abroad (and noted as such on all submitted forms), does this mean we'll be bound to slow and unreliable international snail mail for future communications related to the case? Or possible to use a US address of a relative as the correspondence address? Seems like the former could add months to an already lengthy process.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[~Hot Mama~ 3]

You will have the opportunity once your case is approved and sent to the NVC to select an agent for your case. This should be someone inside the US (Maybe a parent/sibling/friend) with a valid US checking account who can facilitate the payments for you. This will make the process much easier for you! If you have any questions shoot me a message!

[~Hot Mama~ 3]

Also... try emailing the Tbilisi Embassy to ask them specifically what the process is. Some things I read were not accurate and when I emailed the Embassy directly they responded pretty fast with their specific requirements/procedures!

Their email address is ... tbilisiimmigrant@state.gov

[Navyk 78]

Hi all,

First post on VJ (which is a Godsend, btw!); all the information here is so helpful. My wife and I are just preparing to submit our paperwork to start the whole IR-1 process, so thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

I searched the forums for an answer to this question but didn't find it.

For USCs outside the US, Per changes Aug. 15th 2011, IR-1/CR-1 petitions can only be filed abroad (DCF) at Embassies/Consulates with a USCIS public counter presence. All others must send I-130s to the Chicago Lockbox directly. As a USC in a country without a USCIS counter (Georgia), this means I have to send all the docs to Chicago. Fine.

So two questions:

1. How do you pay the fee if living abroad? USCIS site says they need a personal check/money order drawn from a US financial institution. Does this mean I need to send to a relative in the US, have them obtain a money order, and then forward on with the full package to Chicago? Seems there has to be a better way to do this!

2. If my current address is abroad (and noted as such on all submitted forms), does this mean we'll be bound to slow and unreliable international snail mail for future communications related to the case? Or possible to use a US address of a relative as the correspondence address? Seems like the former could add months to an already lengthy process.

Thanks for your thoughts.

1. You can purchase a draft in a bank in your country drawn on a US bank in USD for the fee. Yes, you will have to send the appilcation to Chicago office address.

2. While the physical NOA1 (Notice of receipt) comes in regular mail, if you submit form G-1145 with your I-130 petition, you will get am email. Also you can enroll on the USCIS web site to know the progress (you can do that after you get the USCIS Case number). Here is the link to that https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do

[TheReturn 0]

Thanks guys!