Filing smart = filing at the right time?

[saralex 0]

Hello everybody,

This is our first post here and well, after just one day of information gathering on my immigration plan, I can already tell that this website is my reference.

Our story:

I am French, she is American, and we got married in France in December 2009. We have been living in France since then so I could finish my studies.

What's happening now:

In 11 months exactly my PhD contract is officially over and we plan to move to the US then. The goal is of course to minimize the amount of time in France after my contract so I don't have to find another job in France.

Our question:

It's really simple: when is the best time for us to file?

The IR-1/CR-1 visa seems to suit us the best. We know that once the visa is issued we have six months to actually move and we did see that according to statistics it takes about 290 days for the procedure to complete. Then it sounds like we should file ASAP, but this is just an average and we might have missed some essential points.

Thank you!

[Cesar & Cata 35]

1352054568[/url]' post='5800688']

Hello everybody,

This is our first post here and well, after just one day of information gathering on my immigration plan, I can already tell that this website is my reference.

Our story:

I am French, she is American, and we got married in France in December 2009. We have been living in France since then so I could finish my studies.

What's happening now:

In 11 months exactly my PhD contract is officially over and we plan to move to the US then. The goal is of course to minimize the amount of time in France after my contract so I don't have to find another job in France.

Our question:

It's really simple: when is the best time for us to file?

The IR-1/CR-1 visa seems to suit us the best. We know that once the visa is issued we have six months to actually move and we did see that according to statistics it takes about 290 days for the procedure to complete. Then it sounds like we should file ASAP, but this is just an average and we might have missed some essential points.

Thank you!

Usually people who live and file from abroad get approved quicker, last I knew it was 2-3 months. Timelines now are difficult to predict since these petitions are being sent to local uscis office since 8/15 and I have seen some of those apps approved in 45 days.

I would start the process ASAP, once approved you can take some time in the NVC and interview, even then, once the immigrant visa is issued I believe it is valid for at least six months for travel.

Good luck.

[Bali - Ranae 1]

Start it now! All the very best!!!!

[dwheels76 5,463]

Start it now. Once approved at USCIS and out of their time table, You have abit of wiggle room. You can control once you get to NVC when you want to pay your Affidavit of Support, when you want to pay and send in your DS-3230 (IV BILL packet). I have known of some your dragged it out a year. Than the interview if its too far or too close to what you want you can ask for a different date. And as you noted 6 months from the medical examine you can come to US.

So now would be good just because you never know how processing will be at the service centers.

[jaycali 415]

Hello everybody,This is our first post here and well, after just one day of information gathering on my immigration plan, I can already tell that this website is my reference.Our story:I am French, she is American, and we got married in France in December 2009. We have been living in France since then so I could finish my studies.What's happening now:In 11 months exactly my PhD contract is officially over and we plan to move to the US then. The goal is of course to minimize the amount of time in France after my contract so I don't have to find another job in France.Our question:It's really simple: when is the best time for us to file?The IR-1/CR-1 visa seems to suit us the best. We know that once the visa is issued we have six months to actually move and we did see that according to statistics it takes about 290 days for the procedure to complete. Then it sounds like we should file ASAP, but this is just an average and we might have missed some essential points.Thank you!

Bonjour and bienvenue!

Start now. The sooner the better. Here's the process:

1. Your wife files an I-130 package with the USCIS.

2. I-130 is approved or denied by USCIS.

3. If approved, I-130 is sent to NVC (National Visa Center)

4. Your wife sends an I-864 package (Affidavit of Support) to the NVC.

5. You send a DS-230 (Immigrant Visa application) to the NVC.

6. NVC sends AOS and IV packages to the embassy in Paris, and schedule you for an interview there.

7. You go to your interview and get the visa approved or denied.

8. If approved, you may enter the US and will become a permanent resident the moment you enter.

Timing:

I-130 can take from 2 weeks to 8 months to get approved. Normal time frame is roughly 4 - 5 months. If your wife lives in France with you, it usually doesn't take more than 3 - 5 weeks.

Expect about 3 - 4 weeks from I-130 approval until the NVC receives you file.

Expect about 2 - 4 weeks (if you act quickly) from NVC receives your file until they send your file to the embassy.

Expect about 4 - 8 weeks from NVC sends the file to the embassy until your interview.

Altogether, if your wife lives in France when you file, the process can be done in about 4 months.

If your approved I-130 reaches the NVC after only 2 months, keep in mind that the NVC can hang on to your file for one year. This means if you still have 9 months left until your contract is up, you can wait half a year to act on it, and time it roughly so that your visa is issued immediately before your contract is up.

[saralex 0]

Great! Thank you all for your answers.

I have one last question for now:

The french ambassy's website is not really clear on where to file. If we send the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox, will it be then forwarded to Rome? Or do I have the option to send it directly to Rome?

Thank you again!

[jaycali 415]

Great! Thank you all for your answers.I have one last question for now:The french ambassy's website is not really clear on where to file. If we send the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox, will it be then forwarded to Rome? Or do I have the option to send it directly to Rome?Thank you again!

Not sure if the embassy in Paris allows for DCF/has a USCIS office. Rome has nothing to do with it. Generally, you would send the petition to Chicago Lockbox, and make sure your wife uses her French address.

[saralex 0]

Not sure if the embassy in Paris allows for DCF/has a USCIS office. Rome has nothing to do with it. Generally, you would send the petition to Chicago Lockbox, and make sure your wife uses her French address.

Alright, duly noted.

I was mentionning Rome because they have USCIS office (unlike Paris), and France is under Rome's USCIS jurisdiction but DCF in France is only allowed under exceptionnal circumstances. We'll send it to the Chicago Lockbox then.

Thank you all again.

[bigdog 376]

Start it now! All the very best!!!!