Rookie (confused)

[Bente 0]

Hello everybody,

I am new to this forum and new to the process, and more than a little bit confused. I am Norwegian, married to an American for four years (with two children to show for it). We got married in Norway, but live in France, and are planning on moving to the US very soon (my husband will be going in mid September, I'll go to Norway and then on to the US with the children in the beginning of October, on a B-1 if I have to).

My story so far: We filed the I-130 on June 12th by mail to the DHS in Rome. They sent a letter back on July 31st requesting proof of residency in France (and a US money order to replace the personal cheque I stupidly enough had sent them), which didn't reach us as we were in the US buying a house... I had e-mail correspondece with the Rome USCIS office on the 11th and 14th of August, where they attached a copy of the letter with directions on what to do. We sent the additional from the US on August 14th. Back in Paris 8/21 there was still no NOA from Rome. After new email and several phone calls we finally got confirmation today that they have everything and the file is awaiting judifcation. We also told them we would like the rest of the process done in Norway.

So now I wonder (after reading the DCF guide): Do we not have to do the I-129F step? Nothing to send to the NVC? Is it at all possible that I could complete the whole process before leaving for the US on October 9th? Should I pursue both the K-3 and the DS-230 paths? Does anyone with knowledge of the Embassy in Norway know if they can be talked in doing a fast track?

I'd be thankful for any information, hints & suggestions!

(Sorry about the missing timeline - I'll sort that out before my next posting.)

[meauxna 15]

Hello everybody,

I am new to this forum and new to the process, and more than a little bit confused. I am Norwegian, married to an American for four years (with two children to show for it). We got married in Norway, but live in France, and are planning on moving to the US very soon (my husband will be going in mid September, I'll go to Norway and then on to the US with the children in the beginning of October, on a B-1 if I have to).

My story so far: We filed the I-130 on June 12th by mail to the DHS in Rome. They sent a letter back on July 31st requesting proof of residency in France (and a US money order to replace the personal cheque I stupidly enough had sent them), which didn't reach us as we were in the US buying a house... I had e-mail correspondece with the Rome USCIS office on the 11th and 14th of August, where they attached a copy of the letter with directions on what to do. We sent the additional from the US on August 14th. Back in Paris 8/21 there was still no NOA from Rome. After new email and several phone calls we finally got confirmation today that they have everything and the file is awaiting judifcation. We also told them we would like the rest of the process done in Norway.

So now I wonder (after reading the DCF guide): Do we not have to do the I-129F step? Nothing to send to the NVC? Is it at all possible that I could complete the whole process before leaving for the US on October 9th? Should I pursue both the K-3 and the DS-230 paths? Does anyone with knowledge of the Embassy in Norway know if they can be talked in doing a fast track?

I'd be thankful for any information, hints & suggestions!

(Sorry about the missing timeline - I'll sort that out before my next posting.)

I'm not sure why you filed your I-130 to Rome, but I do remember having some confusion about their role when I was researching my case. FYI, the normal course of events would've had your husband file the I-130 in Paris (Or Oslo at the least) and you would have your visa already.

So the question becomes: where exactly is your I-130, what is its status, where will it be sent and approx. when???

You are already on the fast track, and the I-129f/K-3 process does not apply to you. The NVC will not be a part of your case at all. You'd do well to go to the Norwegian US Consular website and start following their instructions for Immigrant Visa applications. They may be able to help you (if you ask nicely--this is out of the normal scope of things) negotiate with Rome to get your I-130 up to Oslo quickly. And, they *might* let you start your IV application now. Let them know your timeline (but not the part about how you're going to go on a B visa regardless--could be a little problem with the legality of that) and you might be able to meet your deadline.

Actually, looking at their website, you may be able to set your own interview--I highly recommend that you get in touch with the IV staff in Oslo and make friends. They should be able to steer you through from here--but you've got to get that I-130 to Oslo as your first step.

If Rome is difficult, or taking too much time, it might be better to refile the I-130 in Oslo.

http://www.usa.no/embassy/consular/immigra...96e19de826fd9a2

I wouldn't wait too long to follow up on this; time is getting short.

[Bente 0]

Thank you so much for a clarifying response. I filed in Rome because the USCIS-website told us we couldn't file in Paris because we were married in Norway, and that the Rome office is the suboffice for a lot of countries, France being among them. But maybe Paris would have let us file there if we had asked nicely. With time running as short as it does now, there are several things I wish I had done differently.

I have however been happy to see the comments about the embassy in Oslo on this site, which give me some hope that it is not too late yet.

As I need police reports from the UK, France and Norway for my application, and am still waiting for two of them, I guess I can't set up an appointment with Oslo yet, but hopefully some day very soon!