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Vale1

Requesting CR-1 Interview at a Different Consulate — Choosing Italy Instead of Dubai

By Vale1 in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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Vale1 Explorer

Vale1   101

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Italy
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Posted (edited)

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share something we’re currently navigating in our CR-1 visa journey. 

I’m a U.S. citizen and italian citizen planning to move back in Italy, and my husband (the beneficiary) is an Italian citizen currently living in Dubai. As we prepare to file our I-130, we’re looking into the possibility of selecting the U.S. Consulate in Naples, Italy, rather than the default assignment of Abu Dhabi, which currently has an interview wait time of over 2 years and 8 months - something we simply can’t manage emotionally or logistically.

 

What I found: 

According to the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM)

9 FAM 504.4-8(C)(d):
“It would be preferable for the couple to apply where the principal applicant resides.”

9 FAM 504.4-8(C)(e):
“However, if that is inconvenient, the couple could select the consulate where the derivative spouse resides.”

Question for the community>

  • Has anyone here successfully indicated a consulate different from where the beneficiary resides—such as listing the petitioner's consulate instead?

  • Any tips on how to present the request persuasively to NVC or the consulate?

  • Has Naples been responsive to these kinds of requests?

 

CONTEXT: Not applied yet. I plan to be in Italy next Sunday with a one-way ticket (planned time ago) - Might have opportunity to request a DCF as I've been interviewing (please note that I'm in tech ans often interview can last over 5 months)

 

Thank you🙏

Edited by Vale1
Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   47,413

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

Petitioners are USC's they do not have Consulates.

 

If she is Italian she can certainly interview in Italy.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Vale1 Explorer

Vale1   101

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Italy
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
On 6/16/2025 at 9:13 PM, Boiler said:

Petitioners are USC's they do not have Consulates.

 

If she is Italian she can certainly interview in Italy.

Thank you! 

I'm the petitioner (female, US and Italian citizen), and he is an Italian citizen currently in Dubai. I've been having issues convincing my lawyer that we should request Naples as the designated consulate. I don't know what to do. Make my husband move right now? This seems crazy as he has a work commitment till January

S2N Enthusiast

S2N   269

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Chile
 Timeline
Posted
On 6/18/2025 at 9:02 PM, Vale1 said:

Thank you! 

I'm the petitioner (female, US and Italian citizen), and he is an Italian citizen currently in Dubai. I've been having issues convincing my lawyer that we should request Naples as the designated consulate. I don't know what to do. Make my husband move right now? This seems crazy as he has a work commitment till January


You would just request NVC schedule for Naples. You can send them the message yourself.

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,889

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

 

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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