I-130 expedite request from outside US?

[tofulollipop 7]

I just got off the phone with USCIS trying to request an expedite request. They say that since I have a non-US address on my I-130 application (I am living in Spain currently, though I am a US citizen), I will need to write postal mail to my service center to figure out how we can proceed and make an expedite request. This seems kind of silly to me that there is no way to contact the service center other than by postal mail, and not to submit a request but rather just to ask HOW I can submit a request. Has anyone had experience with this?

[canadian_wife 1,791]

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request

 

I hope this helps

Good luck

[Devarj 33]

Try working the issue with the local consulate or embassy. My expedited request was filed with the local consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. I contacted them several times with question and issues. All inquires and responses were handled by them not USCIS in USA. The I-130 was approved by them and then forwarded to NVC.

[Alex&Nayden 91]

2 hours ago, tofulollipop said:

I just got off the phone with USCIS trying to request an expedite request. They say that since I have a non-US address on my I-130 application (I am living in Spain currently, though I am a US citizen), I will need to write postal mail to my service center to figure out how we can proceed and make an expedite request. This seems kind of silly to me that there is no way to contact the service center other than by postal mail, and not to submit a request but rather just to ask HOW I can submit a request. Has anyone had experience with this?

They said the same to me. They said I can’t apply for an expedite because I don’t have a US address on file in my account because we both live overseas. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[tofulollipop 7]

13 minutes ago, Alex&Nayden said:

They said the same to me. They said I can’t apply for an expedite because I don’t have a US address on file in my account because we both live overseas. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oof, did you try to contact the service center already and they told you that?

 

58 minutes ago, Devarj said:

Try working the issue with the local consulate or embassy. My expedited request was filed with the local consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. I contacted them several times with question and issues. All inquires and responses were handled by them not USCIS in USA. The I-130 was approved by them and then forwarded to NVC.

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try.

[Alex&Nayden 91]

2 minutes ago, tofulollipop said:

Oof, did you try to contact the service center already and they told you that?

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try.

Honestly, I didn’t want to deal with it anymore. I’m just going to wait out the process and whatever happens. We’ve only been waiting for 3 months so it’s not a big deal. 

[carmel34 3,532]

13 hours ago, Alex&Nayden said:

We’ve only been waiting for 3 months so it’s not a big deal.

The USC spouse can return to the US at any time, to work, earn income, etc.  This may be the reason for the advice they are giving you.  A successful expedite needs to meet the criteria and have supporting documentation, even then it is completely up to the discretion of USCIS.  

[Redro 4,601]

Whether we like it or not the point of filing the I-130 is for reunification. 

Why should USCIS expedite your request if you are currently living together in the same country?  

US citizen can return to the States any time.

Quite a few couples on this site have decided to transition to long distance just after I-130 is filed so USC can secure a job and sponsor the beneficiary without having to involve a joint sponsor.  

 

Edited May 26, 2022 by ROK2USA

[tofulollipop 7]

2 hours ago, ROK2USA said:

Whether we like it or not the point of filing the I-130 is for reunification. 

Why should USCIS expedite your request if you are currently living together in the same country?  

US citizen can return to the States any time.

Quite a few couples on this site have decided to transition to long distance just after I-130 is filed so USC can secure a job and sponsor the beneficiary without having to involve a joint sponsor.  

 

Maybe your question is rhetorical, but our time reunified in the foreign country is temporary and dependent on my work visa. My work visa expires soon and it is not easy to find a job in our 3rd country abroad, which requires me to return to the US. As I support both myself and my spouse, this does create difficulties for us if she is required to return to her home country and I need to support both of us while we are not together. So yes, while reunified, reunification is temporary. I am requesting expedition of the I-130 to maintain reunification.

[Boiler 43,595]

2 minutes ago, tofulollipop said:

Maybe your question is rhetorical, but our time reunified in the foreign country is temporary and dependent on my work visa. My work visa expires soon and it is not easy to find a job in our 3rd country abroad, which requires me to return to the US. As I support both myself and my spouse, this does create difficulties for us if she is required to return to her home country and I need to support both of us while we are not together. So yes, while reunified, reunification is temporary. I am requesting expedition of the I-130 to maintain reunification.

A bit of a word salad but how does that meet the expedite criteria?

 

Sounds like what everybody has to go through.

[tofulollipop 7]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

A bit of a word salad but how does that meet the expedite criteria?

 

Sounds like what everybody has to go through.

I figured it falls under financial loss to an individual. As we live in a third country and my spouse's visa depends on mine, the lack of the US visa means I need to support my move back to the US and my wife's move back to her home country in the meantime.

 

Regardless, I'm not here to argue whether or not I will get my request approved, but rather just asking how I can get it done. Worst case scenario, I do it, and they reject the request and that's that.

[Boiler 43,595]

I am a big proponent of seeking an expedite, subjective, free and why not.

 

I have seen too many weak cases approved and stong ones denied.

 

Obviously helps if you can easily show you meet the criteria.

 

[tofulollipop 7]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I have seen too many weak cases approved and stong ones denied.

 

Which is why I figure I'd shoot my shot. We've been sitting around for 9 months now waiting on the I-130 anyways, got nothing else to do while I wait at the cost of a bit of paper work. Not like they're going to make me wait longer just because I asked haha.

[Redro 4,601]

1 hour ago, tofulollipop said:

Maybe your question is rhetorical, but our time reunified in the foreign country is temporary and dependent on my work visa. My work visa expires soon and it is not easy to find a job in our 3rd country abroad, which requires me to return to the US. As I support both myself and my spouse, this does create difficulties for us if she is required to return to her home country and I need to support both of us while we are not together. So yes, while reunified, reunification is temporary. I am requesting expedition of the I-130 to maintain reunification.

My husband and I live in a third country. And have never looked at expedite as a reason to get me to the US sooner... 

Husband is on a work visa, too... if he can't work in the country anymore he goes back to the US. IF I can't stay here anymore I move back home. 

[Cheliano 0]

On 5/25/2022 at 4:41 PM, Devarj said:

Try working the issue with the local consulate or embassy. My expedited request was filed with the local consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. I contacted them several times with question and issues. All inquires and responses were handled by them not USCIS in USA. The I-130 was approved by them and then forwarded to NVC.

Devarj, could you share what you specifically requested, or how you worded things, in order to file an expedite with the local consulate? I am in Santiago Chile waiting on the i130 petition to be processed for my husband, and I think our situation may qualify for an expedite. Our embassy always seems closed off to such requests.