some questions about immigration procedures

[mollypicon 0]

Hello. I've posted before, here is a brief description. I'm in the U.S. now and my husband is in Russia. We got married in 2004 in London and lived there for six years. I only applied for the green card shortly before we had to leave London. After a few snags and a request for further evidence I have an email from USCIS in London that the I-130 was approved. The case, of course, has to be transferred to Moscow. I think it will be handled now as if I had applied from the U.S. for my spouse in Russia. So, not to ask for too much, but I am massively confused about the process. Does anyone have any general tips, or what I need to do now? I see so many acronyms- adjustment of status, D-230, CR-1, fiance visa, but what applies to me? So far I've paid $355 for the initial I-130. From my understanding I still need the actual NOA2 and the case number sent to me, but I think I should prepare whatever else. I know I need to do the I-864 (I'll be using a joint sponsor), but what can my husband expect? The email said processing would be transferred to Moscow- will they send him something at his home address? I think he'll have to do medicals and a police check, but is there a good central place for info on this? It's complicated because he's lived abroad for twelve years- he was in the U.S. for six years and then the U.K. for another six years and now in part due to visa issues he's back in Russia. Is it the police checks that will probably drag out the process? Will they just send him something to schedule an interview and he has to gather this background info first? Do we have to worry about proving we're a real couple? I mean, we've been together for years, and I won't even be able to be present at the interview unless I get a visa and fly to Moscow. Any tips very appreciated.

[Darnell 8,479]

was the I-130 filed to London or Chicago ?

If London - you'll need to have NVC 'rehome' the approved I-130 for Moscow (the casefile will arrive at NVC, later, for NVC processing)

Suggest you contact the US Embassy/London, let them know you are doing stuff for Moscow now, also let them know casefile will be transferred to NVC

and

Contact NVC today, get a Human, then ask for a Supervisor.

IF the Supervisor can't start the 'rehome' request', then I'm stumped.

re: what applies to you -

I-130 petition

IR-1 Visa

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the NVC processing and forms -

DS-230 - http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3190.html

I-864 - http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3730.html

General NVC stuff - http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1335.html

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and then the general 'stuff' for I-130/IR-1 -

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_bring_your_foreign_spouse_to_live_in_the_US

and http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

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If you see anything that's CR-1 specific - mostly - it applies to IR-1, as well - with exception of 'removal of conditions' - IR-1 visa holders DO NOT DO THIS.

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The email said processing would be transferred to Moscow

USUALLY, NVC is involved, somehow- as you are shifting from 'Direct Consular Filing' to 'Normal Consular Processing' - and now must mirror a piece of the steps that occur at NVC - at NVC. Eventually the casefile will be transferred to Moscow, but that's AFTER NVC Processing - and to 'get NVC Processing Started' - you must facilitate/monitor the casefile transfer from London to NVC. IMO, the easiest way to do this, is to call NVC via Telephone, get a Supervisor, and make the request - a Supervisor can tell you 'what's next'. If you waste time on the first human at NVC, I'm sorry, in advance !

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Good Luck !

Edited September 27, 2010 by Darnell

[mollypicon 0]

Hi Darnell, thanks. I got this email:

Your I-130 was approved this date; the approval notices was sent to your Florida address this date.

The I-130 was sent to the Moscow, Russia Immigrant Visa Unit via the National Visa Center for processing of the immigrant visa for your spouse.

USCIS Field Office London

---------------------------

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services

American Embassy

Post Office Box 24444

London W1A 5WT

Doesn't it sound like it's being taken care of???

[Darnell 8,479]

ah - is some 'other stuff' then.

Hound Moscow in a month, see what's up.

if you've not submitted DS-230 or I-864, I am thinking Moscow will do the intake, not NVC.

via the National Visa Center

ok - so check in with NVC about 30 days after the date on that email - the casefile should have arrived by then. You'll need to do 'normal' NVC processing in the USA, then the casefile is sent (again) to Moscow, for an interview.

Good Luck !

Edited September 27, 2010 by Darnell