Fees and Form from start to finish of the I-130

[ElectricBlue30 0]

Hi All,

Through my research it's becoming pretty clear I'd need to use the I-130 form, considering I'm a U.S. citizen living with my wife and two step kids (and baby on the way), in Australia.

Is there somewhere that shows a clear step by step guide on what happens (ie. what forms I will need to submit) after the I-130. I'm very visual and so seeing a step by step outline would be very helpful.

Also, a clear listing of fees we would need to pay from start to finish would be helpful.

Finally, I'm still unclear if the I-130 form will handle my step kids and baby on the way, or if there's a different process?

Thank you!

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

**** Moving from What Visa to CR-1 forum as OP will need a spousal visa ****

You are correct the process starts with the I-130 for your wife and step kids. We have a Guide here which explain the process: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1 The process takes about a year and fees are variable due to medical etc.

The baby on the way, having a US citizen father, will most likely be a US citizen itself and not need a visa; you will need to register the birth, see here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/154-consular-reports-of-birth-abroad-crba/

[ElectricBlue30 0]

Hi Penguin_ie,

Are you sure it would be about a year in my case? I came across this forum thread which seemed to think differently since both my spouse and I live in Australia: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/

[ElectricBlue30 0]

By the way, I'm still unclear on the entirety of fees I should be planning for during this entire process. I understand there are fees for the I130, but I'm not sure what those are... And I'm under the impression there will be more fees afterwards, but I'm not sure for what, and for how much.

Any help as to where I can easily see a clear outline would be much appreciated

[NikLR 13,232]

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Yes I am sure on the time frame. It CAN take much less if you can file directly with the embassy (DCF), but that is not the case for Australia.

The auto-expedite from abroad went away a while ago, you may notice that thread is over two years old.

[Ryan H 3,834]

The auto-expedite from abroad went away a while ago, you may notice that thread is over two years old.

Auto-expedite has returned at California; how long it will last cannot be determined.

[mallafri76 1,012]

By the way, I'm still unclear on the entirety of fees I should be planning for during this entire process. I understand there are fees for the I130, but I'm not sure what those are... And I'm under the impression there will be more fees afterwards, but I'm not sure for what, and for how much.

Any help as to where I can easily see a clear outline would be much appreciated

$420 when filing I-130

$88 when filing the Affidavit of Support

About $230 when filing DS-260 (the actual visa for your spouse)

About $165 USCIS immigration fee just before you leave for the US

Plus whatever the medical examination costs, postage and copies for your applications, travel to the US embassy for interview etc... My husband and I have budgeted about $1,000 to 1,200 for the whole process.

[Frips 166]

AOS is 120$, IV is 325$ (DS-260)

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/fees-visa-services.html#permanent

Edited November 22, 2014 by Frips

[ElectricBlue30 0]

Mallafri76, Penguin_ie and Frips, thank you for that info.

Ryan H: could you share where you got this information? And is that only for people IN California? The deal is: I live in Australia with my Spouse and kids. My parents address in California is one I'd use for the SPONSOR... I've read in other areas that it will be faster overall to use my address in Australia on the forms, since those go through a different process than those in the states - and since there are LESS of them, it can be slightly faster. Do you have any feedback on any of this information (any objective knowledge and if for some reason you recommend filing it with the California location?)

Auto-expedite has returned at California; how long it will last cannot be determined.

[Frips 166]

Petition from couples who live together abroad are routed to CSC....temporarily is like that...who knows what will be in the future. so, if you live in Australia use that address.

If you live abroad you will have to prove your US domicile also.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Below is a link to the fees website:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/fees-visa-services.html

[NikLR 13,232]

Mallafri76, Penguin_ie and Frips, thank you for that info.

Ryan H: could you share where you got this information? And is that only for people IN California? The deal is: I live in Australia with my Spouse and kids. My parents address in California is one I'd use for the SPONSOR... I've read in other areas that it will be faster overall to use my address in Australia on the forms, since those go through a different process than those in the states - and since there are LESS of them, it can be slightly faster. Do you have any feedback on any of this information (any objective knowledge and if for some reason you recommend filing it with the California location?)

As stated couples who live abroad with each other are generally routed to the California Service Center however, you may easily end up at one of the others. It is best to use your Australian address ONLY on the I-130 and as your mailing address on the G-325a if you currently live there. It's not because there are less addresses, it's because then hopefully it will be routed to California instead of where it should be according to your US address. You never file with California, you ALWAYS send to the Chicago Lockbox if you are both living abroad. You have ZERO control over where it goes. Only hope.