DCF I130 Canada or Normal Process

[Crazy Cat 45,890]

 

My decision process for a spousal visa:

Step 1:  Decide when you want to re-locate to the US.

Step 2: Decide if you want to try the DCF route (if petitioner is living outside the US) or if you want to file normally thru USCIS.

Step 3:  For DCF, contact the consulate and request they process the case.  If approved, they will give you instructions for filing directly thru them.  For normal consular processing, you file the I-130 thru USCIS.  Once you file normally thru USCIS, you cannot later file DCF.

 

If filing a normal I-130 case through USCIS, see this guide:

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 45,890]

20 minutes ago, bluewater12 said:

My wife and I live in Canada. I am a US citizen by birth, I moved to Canada 10 years ago. I have filed US taxes every year. I work for a US tech company. There are opportunities within my company to switch to a US team, this would require me to relocate. I posted in another forum, but this one is likely more specific to Canada.

 

If we "may" look to move to the US in the next 8-12 months would it be sensible to start the I-130 now? I saw that if I have a job offer and start date with the US team I could apply using DCF to Montreal? Ideally, I'd like to avoid or minimize the time that my wife and I live apart and find a way for her to continue working in the US for a US company. 

 

Thanks

****Your 2 threads have been merged to keep your questions and the responses organized***

[Crazy Cat 45,890]

26 minutes ago, bluewater12 said:

If we "may" look to move to the US in the next 8-12 months would it be sensible to start the I-130 now?

A spousal visa, processed through USCIS, NVC, and the consulate, could take about 2 years.  The I-130, alone, at USCIS, will take a year or so for approval.

Edited 3 hours ago by Crazy Cat