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Louise91

How and where to file?

By Louise91 in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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Louise91 Newbie

Louise91   0

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Country: Sweden
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Hi everyone,

 

Me and and my husband live and work in dubai. We were told by the embassy in Abu Dhabi that all I-130 petitions have to be filed in the United States.

We are so new to this and haven’t even finished assembling our packet, so any help from you guys on how and where we do the filing would be greatly appreciated.

 

Would we have to travel to the States and file in person? 

Is it possible to mail it in?

Can we chose any USCIS office, or it has to be the one closest to intended residence when moving to the states?

For those of you who did the process living abroad, how did you pay the fee when filing since you probably don’t have an American checkbook?

 

I appreciate the time you take to respond. Thank you very much!

 

Louise

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,193

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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Posted (edited)

You will find a lot of good information here: https://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1/    .    You must mail the package to the US to:

image.png.e578dfa45d8f2c37c86837a99adf0a6f.png

You can use a credit/debit card.

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,193

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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You will mail your package to the Chicago lock box.  It will be assigned to a random USCIS service center for processing......good luck...normal time from filing to visa in hand is 12-14 months......

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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JeanneAdil Grand Master

JeanneAdil   6,190

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
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be sure that your US tax returns have been filed for the time the USC worked in Dubai

and that you have a US residency

the beneficary can not travel to the US till the visa is granted / but if no residency here in the US ,  it is a good idea for the USC to come and establish all US ties

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,193

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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I agree that, if you are together outside the US, then taxes, ability to meet financial support qualifications (income continuing after re-locating to the US), and establishing domicile in the US will be important to start considering early.

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Louise91 Newbie

Louise91   0

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Country: Sweden
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Yep, we know about the tax situation. And will use my sister in laws address for now as our US address. I am the beneficiary and my husband of 4 years is the US citizen. 

Are you sure I won’t be able to travel to US till the visa is granted? That could be a tricky situation as I’m a flight attendant and constantly have to work flights to the US. 

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payxibka Grand Master

payxibka   10,044

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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Just now, Louise91 said:

Yep, we know about the tax situation. And will use my sister in laws address for now as our US address. I am the beneficiary and my husband of 4 years is the US citizen. 

Are you sure I won’t be able to travel to US till the visa is granted? That could be a tricky situation as I’m a flight attendant and constantly have to work flights to the US. 

Ad a crewman you are fine 

YMMV

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Louise91 Newbie

Louise91   0

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Country: Sweden
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Perfect. 

Is that from a certain stage I cant travel as a tourist to the United states? Or as soon as I file the petition I have to stay out?

 

I have a friend that filed about a year ago and is still waiting, but he frequently visits the states as a tourist. So was thinking how can he do that if it’s not allowed.

 

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,193

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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Posted (edited)
2 minutes ago, Louise91 said:

Perfect. 

Is that from a certain stage I cant travel as a tourist to the United states? Or as soon as I file the petition I have to stay out?

 

I have a friend that filed about a year ago and is still waiting, but he frequently visits the states as a tourist. So was thinking how can he do that if it’s not allowed.

 

Visiting the US during the entire process is allowed.

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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payxibka Grand Master

payxibka   10,044

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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1 minute ago, Louise91 said:

Perfect. 

Is that from a certain stage I cant travel as a tourist to the United states? Or as soon as I file the petition I have to stay out?

 

I have a friend that filed about a year ago and is still waiting, but he frequently visits the states as a tourist. So was thinking how can he do that if it’s not allowed.

 

Not that it isn't allowed,  it's because of increased scrutiny and you need to demonstrate that you have very strong ties to your home country and that you will leave 

YMMV

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arken Mentor

arken   4,197

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Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
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15 minutes ago, Louise91 said:

Excellent,

I just want to be sure in case we need to go look at houses or apartments to buy etc during the visa process. 

Thanks a lot all of your for your tips and advices.

That will be the petitioner’s sole responsibility. You may or may not be allowed to visit US with that intent.

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,790

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
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Posted

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

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