Can i start my wife's visa in one country and finish in another?

[Azagarth 0]

Right now me and my wife live in Argentina, but we are very fed up with it right now and looking for a change. I will be sending in her I-130 here in a month but have a few important, semi unique questions.

On the forms I will be listing her parents address in Argentina as my residential address, I've been told having my address as one listed outside of the country can help get a chance at being expedited. Is this true? Also since I'm not technically living there would this be ok? I live with her in Argentina right now, but we are moving in 3 weeks and technically with her parents, but only for a few days. Next questions will help this I make more sense.

Right now we plan to take an extended vacation to her aunts in Mexico. In cancun. We will be there for the next 6 months and so technically we will not have a home of our own.

If I start the visa with my wife's parents address in Argentina, can she have the interview for the visa in can un Mexico area? Or will she have to go back to Argentina guaranteed for her interview? Also would it cause me problems by using her parents address at all in Argentina? Or should I use the aunts address in Mexico possibly?

[cocolucho 35]

Before you do anything why don't you check if you can do direct filing I-130 at the embassy in Mexico since you will be residing there for about six months. Some consulates alow direct filing and it can be faster so before you file in Argentina check in Mexico.

[cocolucho 35]

See this page for direct consular filing.

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/mexico-mexico-city-field-office

[AudreyND 14]

To be able to file outside the U.S., you need to legally reside there. If you enter that country under a tourist visa, you will not be allowed to file there. They will ask for proof of residency or will deny you petitionning there. You should email the consulates in Argentina and Mexico to see what can be done, but i'm certain filling in Mexico is out of order for you, as neither you or your wife reside there. Argentina may be an option, check with them.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/petition/file/filing-immigrant-petitions-outside-the-u-s.html

http://argentina.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/how-to-begin-an-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-file-a-petition3.html

http://mexico.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/steps-to-obtaining-an-inmigrant-visa/step-1-file-a-petition.html

[Azagarth 0]

Well I would have to use the Chicago lockbox if I am in Argentina, so would that even matter? Argentina doesn't have any Dcf or anything like that. I know Mexico does but I believe you are right that you have to legally be residing in Mexico to be able to file there at the embassy.

I can't file in the USA though because I don't even live there, so it makes it really confusing what to do. I technically live I n Argentina as a permanent tourist right now..... My hope was that I could maybe get an lucky expedite while living outside the states with the wife, so I wouldn't want to use my residency as the states....

[Azagarth 0]

The embassy in Mexico told me I would have to have at least temporary residency in Mexico and 3 months proven history living there to be able to start the process in Mexico. That's quite awhile waiting, I will be there in 2 months, so 5 months total. I might as well start it here in Argentina.

My question is can I swap her from having an interview here in buenos aires to having it in Mexico? Or do they make you have the interview from her country?

Also if I start her papers in the Chicago lockbox, can I, one having got temporary residency in Mexico, just have them take over my case at the embassy? Or am I out of luck. It's all so confusing to me.

[AudreyND 14]

I don't have any experience with the lockbox, so i can't help you there. But i was a DCF in Japan, and had my case transfered to Canada after moving back home. The consulate in Canada asked for proof of residency before accepting to transfer my case there. So again, i don't think they will transfer your case if you and your wife are only tourists in Mexico.

I believe you will have to go the regular way. To be able to DCF or expedite you need to meet certain criteria, and simply being in a country as a tourist doesn't meet those requierement. If that wasn't the case, then everyone would simply get on a plane and file DCF to avoid the long way to file...

Then again, it's up to the consulate to decide if yes or no they will take you. So keep emailing them with more details on your situation and make sure about WHAT proof they need to accept you to file or transfer to Mexico!

Also, i think if you file at the lockbox, you cannot transfer the case as a DCF afterwards! Be careful and be sure you make the right decision.

[jerod_gavel 16]

one thing to keep in mind. You would need to file another form (cant remember which right now), that costs $420 to change your interview location. My friend just had that happen (wife moved from bahrain to Philippines for interview.) Choose wisely or spend money later.