Questions about applying from abroad

[PC812 0]

Hi, so first a brief introduction. I'm an American citizen by birth and for the past eight years, I have lived in Japan. My wife is a Japanese citizen and we began our relationship five years ago, we've shared an apartment for two years, and we just got married this past April.

We want to begin the transition to moving to America. Our plan is for me to move to America first in the spring of next year so I can find a job and a place while she remains behind in Japan with her parents. Once I've found a job and a place and her immigration status is approved, she'll come over and join me.

Now my question is can we begin any parts of the process while we're still in Japan? For example, the Form I-130? Or would it be better to wait until after I've moved to America?

[USandMalaysia 6]

We started our application while my husband and I abroad (Malaysia). Once we submitted the I-130, my husband move back to US to secure job and place for us to stay.

[xmaricrisx 25]

Hi, so first a brief introduction. I'm an American citizen by birth and for the past eight years, I have lived in Japan. My wife is a Japanese citizen and we began our relationship five years ago, we've shared an apartment for two years, and we just got married this past April.

We want to begin the transition to moving to America. Our plan is for me to move to America first in the spring of next year so I can find a job and a place while she remains behind in Japan with her parents. Once I've found a job and a place and her immigration status is approved, she'll come over and join me.

Now my question is can we begin any parts of the process while we're still in Japan? For example, the Form I-130? Or would it be better to wait until after I've moved to America?

Because it may take 3-5 months for petition approval, you can file the i-130 now if you'd like.

You can find more information about filing from Japan here: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivpetition.html

[PC812 0]

Thanks for the information.

One other question. On the I-130, it asks where we intend to live. For the time being, can I put my parents' home? It's still listed as my permanent residence for voting purposes.

[dwheels76 5,486]

Thanks for the information.

One other question. On the I-130, it asks where we intend to live. For the time being, can I put my parents' home? It's still listed as my permanent residence for voting purposes.

Yes you can use an address in US. That will be good that's where your mail will go.

Also after you approved petition leaves USCIS and gets to NVC. Once you contact them you have year before you ave to contact them again so that will give you some cushion time.

So in a nutshell I would personally file I-130 now (before election and a new president ....wink wink) and just let it ride and then sit at NVC until you are ready within a year of arrival.

[JFH 12,196]

Thanks for the information.

One other question. On the I-130, it asks where we intend to live. For the time being, can I put my parents' home? It's still listed as my permanent residence for voting purposes.

You can use your parents' address. You don't actually have to live there. The process takes about a year so plans may change during that time. They won't hold you to what you've written there. It is also possible to put "to be decided" and just mention the state if you know you are returning to your home state but not sure where exactly you will be living. It will depend upon where you get a job, I suppose.

[PC812 0]

Thanks for all the answers, cleared up a lot of things for me.

[heyusa 118]

You can use your parents' address. You don't actually have to live there. The process takes about a year so plans may change during that time. They won't hold you to what you've written there. It is also possible to put "to be decided" and just mention the state if you know you are returning to your home state but not sure where exactly you will be living. It will depend upon where you get a job, I suppose.

Where do you put the US address on the I 130 if you want to receive hard-copies of NOA's etc there.. since my husband is petitioning for me, but we both are not in the States. So in the beginning of the form I 130 we put our current addresses.. where will they know where to send the hard-copies..?