Got I-130 Appointment

[Quatchi 1]

So i finally set up my appointment to submit my I-130 with the Halifax consulate, and it will be Sept 22 at 10 am. Im a bit shocked as i figured we would get a appointment sometime for this or next week. I know this was very naive on my part. The big thing is that our plan had been too sublet our apartment and to move out at the end of September. My wife was then going to fly to the US and find work, apartment and live there (leaving end of September beginning of October.) while im being processed. We thought our interview would be earlier then that and so already have someone for our apartment to move in beginning of October. I think its too late to back out, as they have already signed a lease with the Land Lord. Will the fact we will be moving out of our residence days after the interview completely null and void the process along with my wife returning to the states right after that. Im just freaking out over my own stupidity that we would be able to submit so soon, and feel like thats going to screw us over and make DCF not even an option.

[cherriesss 4]

Hello Quatchi.

a) If your wife stays with you in Canada and you simply move into a different address, then I think you are still ok. I imagine you would of course need to update your address on the forms, if anything.

b) If your wife leaves immediately for the US and you stay behind BEFORE filing the I-130 via DCF, then I think she would not be able to file DCF as she would not be in Canada to do so. The only thing that matters is that filing the I-130 via DCF often requires both the US citizen and the spouse to file in person, but I think after that it should not matter (verification of this, any other VJ member??)

I hope this helps, and best of luck!

[birdnerd 5]

So i finally set up my appointment to submit my I-130 with the Halifax consulate, and it will be Sept 22 at 10 am. Im a bit shocked as i figured we would get a appointment sometime for this or next week. I know this was very naive on my part. The big thing is that our plan had been too sublet our apartment and to move out at the end of September. My wife was then going to fly to the US and find work, apartment and live there (leaving end of September beginning of October.) while im being processed. We thought our interview would be earlier then that and so already have someone for our apartment to move in beginning of October. I think its too late to back out, as they have already signed a lease with the Land Lord. Will the fact we will be moving out of our residence days after the interview completely null and void the process along with my wife returning to the states right after that. Im just freaking out over my own stupidity that we would be able to submit so soon, and feel like thats going to screw us over and make DCF not even an option.

Hi Quatchi,

Just wanted to check that you know that submitting the I-130 is only the first part of the process - your wait for the actual interview in Montreal will be many, many months from now. Do you have backup accommodation for after your wife returns to the US?

I believe your wife is technically not supposed to leave until the I-130 has been approved, which will probably take 6-8 weeks after submitting it in Halifax. But she can certainly leave after that time, which would also be helpful when it comes to 'proving domicile' later in the process.

I would suggest you read this thread for more detailed info about the DCF process, and specifically for Canadians doing DCF.

Edited August 25, 2010 by birdnerd

[Quatchi 1]

Hi Quatchi,

Just wanted to check that you know that submitting the I-130 is only the first part of the process - your wait for the actual interview in Montreal will be many, many months from now. Do you have backup accommodation for after your wife returns to the US?

I believe your wife is technically not supposed to leave until the I-130 has been approved, which will probably take 6-8 weeks after submitting it in Halifax. But she can certainly leave after that time, which would also be helpful when it comes to 'proving domicile' later in the process.

I would suggest you read this thread for more detailed info about the DCF process, and specifically for Canadians doing DCF.

I'am aware that that the I-130 is the first step and the wait will be for many month. As far as back up accommodation i will be staying with my parents once my wife returns to the US. I know my wife has to be present when the I-130 is submitted, and was free to return after that but i did not know that it would take 6-8 week to approve. Based on what i read here i thought you often were approved when you submitted at the consulate.

One question is how important is it to be employed in Canada when you apply at the consulate. Both me and my wife have not had jobs for a few months now, have tried but nothing has come up. Will this hinder us from going through DCF do you think. My wife has a work visa and is legal to be her until next summer.

[birdnerd 5]

I'am aware that that the I-130 is the first step and the wait will be for many month. As far as back up accommodation i will be staying with my parents once my wife returns to the US. I know my wife has to be present when the I-130 is submitted, and was free to return after that but i did not know that it would take 6-8 week to approve. Based on what i read here i thought you often were approved when you submitted at the consulate.

One question is how important is it to be employed in Canada when you apply at the consulate. Both me and my wife have not had jobs for a few months now, have tried but nothing has come up. Will this hinder us from going through DCF do you think. My wife has a work visa and is legal to be her until next summer.

I don't know of any employment requirement for submitting I-130. It will be important for your wife to have employment to support the I-864. As long as she is in Canada with legal status, you should be fine.

As for your appointment in Halifax, this is only to submit your I-130, it has to go through background checks and whatnot before you will eventually receive the approval from Montreal, which is running around 6-8 weeks just now, based on recent filers on our DCF thread.