Neccesary to live in the USA to apply for Green Card

[S.bjoerke 0]

Hey everyone

My wife, a US born citizen, and me, danish citizen, wants to move to the USA. We have been living in Denmark since november last year, but right now my wife is visiting USA until 1. November when she will come "back" to Denmark. We want to apply for a green card now, and therefor send in the I-130 petition. My question is what address should we use for her? the danish one or where she receives her mail in the USA? And does it make any difference?

Her mom can be the sponsor for us, so I wonder if it actually matters whether she lives in the states now or not? Because then we would move to the states together, when I receive the green card. Hope you can help us.

Best regards, Sejr

[JFH 12,196]

Your wife does not have to be living in the USA at the time she files the petition. She must, however, later down the line in this process demonstrate her intention to re-establish domicile in the USA if she has been living out of the country.

It doesnt matter which address she uses. Nothing that comes from USCIS must be kept unless you get a request for further evidence (that will be much later, if it happens at all).

You won't receive the green card before you move. What you will be applying for is a visa to enter the country and obtain permanent residency upon arrival.

[millefleur 5,052]

Yup, as JFH says, right now just need to focus on the I-130 petition. All the other stuff (domicile, sponsor, etc.) comes later.

I'm at the same step you are at, which is preparing all documents to submit the I-130. So you'll need to read up on that and start getting all your documents and evidence in order, too! Best of luck.

Edited September 17, 2016 by millefleur

[Georgia16 2,858]

Can see on your timeline you have picked DCF, that is not an option for Scandinavians.

You'll have to go through the embassy in Stockholm for the spouse visa and it takes about a year to get.

There is a forum for Scandinavians you can join everybody is very helpful

[S.bjoerke 0]

Can see on your timeline you have picked DCF, that is not an option for Scandinavians.

You'll have to go through the embassy in Stockholm for the spouse visa and it takes about a year to get.

There is a forum for Scandinavians you can join everybody is very helpful

Thank you for the reply everyone!

I am getting a bit confused whether the embassy in Stockholm should have the 1-130 petition or USCIS Chicago Lockbox? (My wife got an address in Ohio)

So at what step in the process do I/we go to the embassy in Stockholm?

[Georgia16 2,858]

Thank you for the reply everyone!

I am getting a bit confused whether the embassy in Stockholm should have the 1-130 petition or USCIS Chicago Lockbox? (My wife got an address in Ohio)

So at what step in the process do I/we go to the embassy in Stockholm?

It Will be send to USCIS/NVC for processing after approval they will send it to embassy in Stockholm where you will have your interview. Medical will still be in Copenhagen before your interview, the embassy will let you know all the steps after they get your case

[pushbrk 13,843]

It Will be send to USCIS/NVC for processing after approval they will send it to embassy in Stockholm where you will have your interview. Medical will still be in Copenhagen before your interview, the embassy will let you know all the steps after they get your case

Correction. USCIS will send your petition to the National Visa Center, which is not part of USCIS. It's part of the Department of State. National Visa Center will receive a second round of papers and fees, then send the case to Stockholm for the visa interview. Start by studying the CR1/IR1 visa guide. It lays out the process for you. If you've been married more than two years by interview time it's the IR1 track you'll be on but visa process itself is the same.

The petition package will be mailed to Chicago, regardless of where you wife lives now. Getting an address, is not the same as "living there".