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I have a question, I just read somewhere that USC living abroad with their foregin spouse get auto-expedite, is it correct? because I'm living abroad and my PD is Jan 21, so I should be approved by now??? I'm really confused. Please someone explain it to me. I'm coping n pasting this Please someone explain it to me... This is post from someone in 2011 but there is someone who got approved recently ... I'm also posting the link to the topic.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/

This topic is made to pinpoint the exact requirements that allow most USC petitioners filing from abroad to have their I-130 auto-expedited, while some others seem to go through regular processing queues.

Background: on August 15, 2011, the rules for DCF changed and this alternative option disappeared in all countries that don't have a local USCIS field office, in other words in most countries in the world. Since September 2011, VJ members filing an I-130 while residing abroad with their spouses have been, in most cases, adjudicated extremely fast by USCIS, indicating that the case was expedited, although they did not request it. For an example, see my timeline, and note that this "auto-expedited" processing is only valid at the USCIS stage.

The details of this special processing queue are unclear and USCIS operators are not aware of its existence. In addition, a few members in the same situation have had their cases pending for months, indicating they were not placed in the fast queue.

I made a little survey that will help us understand what the conditions are to be placed in the fast queue. Please add questions if you think other relevant information is missing
All US citizen petitioning for your spouse and residing with them abroad, please fill it in!

(My answers in green).

1. Country USC resides in: France
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: November 2011
4. How long had you been living abroad: 2.5 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - Scientist
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes. They were meant to be evidence of bona fide relationship, but they also proved the USC was residing in France.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, 16 days.

skysofialila, Im sorry. Its just that i'm a little stressed out n wanna go back home soon with my hubby but i guess asking again n again wont change the processing time. Anyways. Thank you for replying.

My case is also at Nebraska service center. I just checked the case n it's at initial reiview. How long will it take to get approve??

Can someone tell me how long it takes for the system to update my case status ?? I received an email from uscis saying they accepted my application but when I check my status it says nothing on record yet. I haven't received a hard copy yet for noa1. So how long should I wait for the status update???

Also where my noa1 will come? Overseas or to the us address I provided ??

Hey guys, I just received an email from uscis saying that they have accepted my application n I'm at Nebraska service center. But when I check the status online it says there is no case so how long do I wait to check the status of my case? It also said that to wait till I get noa in the mail to check the status. One more question, since I'm living abroad, so the noa comes abroad or at my us address??

Hi everyone,

I sent my package on Sunday n they received it on Tuesday. How long does it take to get the case number ?? When will I recieve notice of action?

Actually I'm overseas living with my husband n he doesn't want me to work for some family reasons. Thanks for the suggestion

Hi everyone,

I have tried everything n asked n begged everyone but there is no one ready to help me with the joint sponsor. I have never worked in the United States so never filed taxes. I thought we could clear this affidavit of support with our bank balance but it's just little less than required poverty guideline. I have also contacted a lawyer about helping me find a joint sponsor n he said that they have never done n won't do it cuz they like to keep their policy the same. I was also ready to pay someone but he refused at the last minute. Please can someone give me ideas on what to do. Some suggestions. Thanks

John Leo, if you don't mind can you tell me what method did u use to send in the uscis petition fee?? I'm also living in uae n apply for spouse but I can't get a money order from here. UAE exchange is giving something called demand draft. Please let me know which method u used??

Congrats:)

When did u apply?? How long did it take for ur petition to get approve??

Upgrading to USC shouldn't delay anything. It should process faster. My brother who is green card holder, took his wife 3 years to come to the USA where for USC it takes about a year n half or less.

Ur at the stage of NVC, so you won't have to wait till a visa becomes available for ur wife.

Thank you so much. I guess I'm gonna use the demand draft as well.

Karimealo, what method did u use to send in the uscis fee for I-130?? I called the uscis n they told me to get international money order or foreign draft. Please let me know which method u chose to send in ur fee since u r in Dubai. Thanks

Hi,

i'm trying and contacted almost everyone about the money order, but I can't find any place in UAE that make money orders. Can someone please tell me what they made to pay the uscis I-130 petition fee?? Thank you

Katy Crawford, sorry for the late reply. I'm not living in USA at the moment. I'm living in UAE with my husband and we are trying to apply I-130 for him. I used to live in Texas though. When did you apply for ur spouse? is it approved yet?

sennabrigante, how did u apply for expedite I-130?? I have been trying to contact us consulate n us embassy here in UAE, but they r just telling me I-130 petition goes through uscis. Please tell me how did u applied for expedite??

I know the whole process will take a year or more but I want n hope that the petition gets approve soon. Did u apply as well this month??

I'm filing I-130 for my husband in few days. I have everything set n ready to be mailed. Anyone wanna join in to pass the time till I-130 gets approved??? I'm hoping it gets approve in 2 months or so. I'm so eager to go back home with my husband.

I'm reading everything n it's making me crazy. Lol. One more question that came to my mind. With special circumstance the petitioner can apply I-130 at the us embassy abroad ??? So how do I do that ? I did try to contact us embassy here but they told me that they don't accept petitions there anymore. I will have to apply through uscis. Also is it faster to apply through us embassy abroad or faster applying to Chicago lockbox ??

Dwheels, thank you so much.

So how long will it take if I'm applying this month?

Also what's up with this backlogs for petitions that's going on with uscis? I'm not understanding it. Can someone clear it for me?

NLR, so my hubby is from Pakistan currently living in Dubai for seven years, will he be put in administrative process?? Do they give this AP to everyone from eastern countries ?? Or few people get away with this AP?? What should we do that my husband shouldn't be put under AP?

So how much time does it take for a petition (i-130) to get approved?? I'm applying this Sunday (January 2014) I thought it takes abt six months. I'm worried now that it's gonna take forever to get approve.

Thank you

The lawyer that I spoke to is in USA. Yeah I guess I will be sending everything this Sunday inshallah.