Spouse and USC living/working Abroad - Lost and Confused

[SA&JG 1]

Hello all,

First time posting but long time reader. Thanks for all of the great information to date.

I am looking to file the I-130 for my wife (Brazilian) and I am having troubles deciding what is the best method. I understand that all are slow, but still want to make sure i go about this long process the best way possible.

We are both Expats working abroad in Angola. I have contacted the Angola US embassy, to which they rudely advised me, they do not accept I-130 to be adjudicated in their office. Unless exceptional circumstances are met, which are not the normal per most embassy's (quoted from their website: Petitioners residing overseas must file immigrant visa petitions (Form I-130) with the USCIS Chicago Lock Box. The U.S. Embassy in Luanda can only except petitions in strictly defined exceptional circumstances. Consular officers may accept I-360 petitions from widow(er)s of deceased U.S. citizens and I-600 adoption petitions from U.S. citizens when accompanied by an approved from I-600A.) To me this reads as they can accept the normal USCIS exceptional circumstances. But they advised they can only accept I-130 from widowers and adoption petitions, this information is for the different forms not the I-130.

My question is, what is our best path forward?

I can mail the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox the next time I'm in the US, but what happens after that. How will they mail forms Of-169 and Of-230 to my wife here in Angola? The mail system here is literally nonexistent. What address do either of us put on the form I-130. We will be finishing here later this year and moving back to US, of which i have maintained a permanent domicile.

[Ryan H 3,812]

My question is, what is our best path forward?

I can mail the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox the next time I'm in the US, but what happens after that. How will they mail forms Of-169 and Of-230 to my wife here in Angola? The mail system here is literally nonexistent. What address do either of us put on the form I-130. We will be finishing here later this year and moving back to US, of which i have maintained a permanent domicile.

OF-169 and OF-230 are obsolete forms that are no longer used.

Use the overseas address on all applicable forms.

If the petition is approved by USCIS, it will go to the NVC for additional intake of documentation, you can learn more about that phase process here: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

[SA&JG 1]

Wow that is good information to have. So what is the next steps? I have been following this http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1 guide, thats where i got the Of-169 and Of-230 from. Someone smarter than me should update the Visa Journey guide.

Also, I agree with what you say "Use the overseas address on all applicable forms." but such sophisticated systems don't exist where i am. And for that, this is what has me so confused.

Will any forms be mailed to us after the I-130 is approved? Is there an updated guide i can follow to reference this myself?

[TylerTrúc 1]

You can file from abroad and there is a possibility that your case will go through USCIS faster because you file from abroad. I filed from Vietnam which also has a pretty unreliable mail system. I called the USCIS while my petition was there and they told me I can give them my parents (or anyone that you trust) address in the US and they will send all important documents there, but they put a note that my residence was still in Vietnam. I hope that helps some.

[SA&JG 1]

You can file from abroad and there is a possibility that your case will go through USCIS faster because you file from abroad. I filed from Vietnam which also has a pretty unreliable mail system. I called the USCIS while my petition was there and they told me I can give them my parents (or anyone that you trust) address in the US and they will send all important documents there, but they put a note that my residence was still in Vietnam. I hope that helps some.

This is great information to hear. I do hope we can fall into similar circumstances as you.

Can you provide further details, about when you say file from abroad what are you referencing? Mailing the form from Oversea's or filing as normal, but have an international address on the I-130 when filled?

Which address did you use on your I-130 when you sent in the form to the lockbox? What about your spouse's address?

I have a house in the US, but only visit every 2-4 months. It is maintained by my parents.