Wife Immigrating from Russia, Need Help

[CRBK92 0]

I am an American citizen (born in the US) and my wife is a native Russian citizen. We need some questions answered about submitting the form I-130:

1) Is it better to submit documents to Chicago (from within the United States) or to Moscow? How long does it usually take in either case?

2) If I will be in the US and my wife will be in Russia, will it be necessary for me to be at the interview together with her? Does it depend on what office I submitted the forms to (in Chicago or in Moscow)?

Thank you!

Edited December 19, 2016 by CRBK92

[hollycenations 11]

Since you are living in the US, and not living with her in Russia, you'll need to file in the US. And most embassies don't require the petitioner to be at the interview, but I'm not 100% sure for Russia.

[Adam&Allison 128]

I am an American citizen (born in the US) and my wife is a native Russian citizen. We need some questions answered about submitting the form I-130:

1) Is it better to submit documents to Chicago (from within the United States) or to Moscow? How long does it usually take in either case?

2) If I will be in the US and my wife will be in Russia, will it be necessary for me to be at the interview together with her? Does it depend on what office I submitted the forms to (in Chicago or in Moscow)?

Thank you!

1) I'm pretty sure that you have to submit the I-130 to USCIS inside the USA - not to Moscow.

2) It is not necessary for you to attend the interview in Russia with your wife.

[CRBK92 0]

Thank you for such prompt responses )

Do you have any idea how long it will take for it to be processed through Chicago? I have heard that Chicago takes a long time and that worries me. Do I have any other options?

Edited December 19, 2016 by CRBK92

[hollycenations 11]

Chicago is just the entry-point into the process, and then your case will be sent to a service center like Texas, Nebraska, etc. Nebraska has been the one that is slowest here recently, I believe, but it's really just luck-of-the-draw as to how fast your case will process. It should take anywhere from 4-6 months.

Edit: Sorry, I should have specified that the 4-6 months is for the USCIS timeline only. The entire process will definitely take a lot longer overall.

Edited December 19, 2016 by hollycenations

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

With the fee increase there will be a bigger number of petitions submitted to beat it so things will clog up a bit. Figure about a year, And no there is no way to speed it up. You just get in cue and wait like any other government office.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Chicago is just the entry-point into the process, and then your case will be sent to a service center like Texas, Nebraska, etc. Nebraska has been the one that is slowest here recently, I believe, but it's really just luck-of-the-draw as to how fast your case will process. It should take anywhere from 4-6 months.

that's an awfully optimistic timeframe

[hollycenations 11]

that's an awfully optimistic timeframe

I edited to clarify. It's a Monday..

[CRBK92 0]

I've heard that in some cases, people need to show their income records for the past three years. Is that the case?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I edited to clarify. It's a Monday..

I hear you lol

[hollycenations 11]

I've heard that in some cases, people need to show their income records for the past three years. Is that the case?

It's a good idea, but I don't think it's required if your last year's income is well-above the minimum income amount. My income is above the poverty line, but I didn't want to take any chances, so I sent IRS transcripts for the past three years.

[Roel 7,192]

1. There is only one address to send this application.https://www.uscis.gov/i-130-addresses

2. No, you don't have to be there for the interview.

3. It's going to take you about 9 - 12 months.

4. Nope, can't expedite.

5. (since I expect this question to happen) Yes, she can visit you on tourist visa during the i-130 process. But it's a low chance she'd get it.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Cathi 5,769]

I've heard that in some cases, people need to show their income records for the past three years. Is that the case?

the requirements for each country is different. some require three, some require one. Check the embassy site for her country for specifics. My husband's country required one, bu I sent three for good measure. I would rather send them more than get an RFE for not sending enough.

Edited December 20, 2016 by mimolicious

[CRBK92 0]

the requirements for each country is different. some require three, some require one. Check the embassy site for her country for specifics. My husband's country required one, bu I sent three for good measure. I would rather send them more than get an RFE for not sending enough.

I will check, thanks. The problem is that I have been living in Russia for the past 9 months. I will have a job right away when I return to the US, but will that be enough for them to see that I will support my wife? If I think my income records aren't enough on account of being abroad, what else can I do to ensure it won't be rejected?

Edited December 20, 2016 by CRBK92