Submitting I-130 in Peru

[sctdixon 6]

Today was the day to submit the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative at the Lima Peru Embassy

I will give the details so others may find it beneficial. I also posted this info under Consulate Reviews so I apologize for being redundent.

First off, the USCIS window is only open from 9-11am on Tuesday & Thursday. We arrived at 9am to find a line waiting outside at the security entrance. The security guard there acted like he was God and ordered everyone around; Stand here, move there, wait here, etc.... After about 20 minutes my wife and I went through security and went to the elusive service window.

The next "know it all" security guard gave us a numbered card and asked why we were there. My wife spoke to him in Spanish saying we were there to submit the I-130 petition. He said "we should do it in the Us as it will be much quicker". Really?? This security guard thinks he knows anything about immigration to the US and we haven't done our homework at all?? I was not amused. So we ignored him and sat down while we waited for our turn.

When we were called up to the window, the lady was polite and asked me if "have I been to this window before?". I responded "no" then she started to lecture me that I should have come here first so I would know what I needed to know. She obviously didn't know that I frequent this awesome forum and that I actually emailed the embassy and asked for the specific requirements. As she was talking, I pulled out the email they (she) sent me and showed it to her. She then realized that I was prepared and asked for my package I prepared. She was impressed on how organized it was with all my dividers and decsription tabs. She said I must be an engineer (I am) because engineers always are so obsessed with things being organized (haha). So we had everything she needed and she sorted through everything. She returned to us all the dividers, the personal photos (only kept the wedding photos) and the G-1145 Form (said that was for US filing only). We then were asked to go pay the $420 fee at the cashiers window #14 in the building next door and return with both receipts. We went to that building and asked another brilliant security guard standing in a doorway where window #14 was as we could not get into the building. He stated he didn't know so we asked an employee who happened to be near there. She said that it was right through the door where the brilliant security guard was standing and holding it open. Ugh!! We went and paid the fee to the nice man and returned the receipts to the previous lady. She said we should be receiving our "package in 2-3 weeks and have a nice day". That was it. it was relatively painless and were there about 1 1/2 hours total. it was a great day!

[yachachiq12 43]

Congrats! I hope your packet comes quickly and painlessly and it's all smooth sailing from there!

Don't forget to get started on police clearances, I-864 (don't forget domicile proof), and such while you wait.

[sctdixon 6]

Congrats! I hope your packet comes quickly and painlessly and it's all smooth sailing from there!

Don't forget to get started on police clearances, I-864 (don't forget domicile proof), and such while you wait.

Yes, we've already started all of that. I'm ahead of the curve thanks to all the great info here!

[Soosh 0]

How much was the total cost for the medical examination? Were you able to choose from a list of different doctors or was the doctor assigned to you by the Embassy?

[sctdixon 6]

How much was the total cost for the medical examination? Were you able to choose from a list of different doctors or was the doctor assigned to you by the Embassy?

The medical examination was 300 soles and the two vaccinationes cost 206 soles.

In Lima, you get your choice of two doctors/clinics and you must make your own appointment. We chose the Anglo-Americana Clinic in San Isidro. My wife (the Dr) knows this clinic and said it was very nice. Was a good choice.

[bruckerrlb 0]

Thanks for sharing your story. Did you have a Peruvian carnet de extranjeria or some other form of proof about having lived in Peru? I have a rental agreement from the last year, and am going to the embassy to submit the i-130. I also have an appointment that same day to get more passport pages so I can, the next day, get my carnet de extranjeria.

[sctdixon 6]

Thanks for sharing your story. Did you have a Peruvian carnet de extranjeria or some other form of proof about having lived in Peru? I have a rental agreement from the last year, and am going to the embassy to submit the i-130. I also have an appointment that same day to get more passport pages so I can, the next day, get my carnet de extranjeria.

I would get the carnet if at all possible before you file the I-130. That way there is no doubt that you have adequate proof you've been "residing" in Peru for more than the 6 months required for DCF. A apartment lease can be faked to make it look like you've been there a long time but a carnet is rock solid proof.

[yachachiq12 43]

Actually, the movimiento migratorio record from DIGEMIN that is required to file the I-130 via DCF in Lima is rock-solid proof that someone has been living in Peru for the amount of time they say they have. Why would someone pay for a CE when they're not planning to reside in Peru for much longer? Bruckerrlb, once you file the I-130 at the consulate, you could have visa in hand within a couple months if there are no problems. If time and money are no problem for you, go ahead and get the CE. Just be sure to give it up when you move to the US so you aren't responsible for the yearly taxes associated with it...

It's worth repeating that I, as well as other VJ members, have successfully filed DCF in Peru without a CE.

Edited August 26, 2012 by yachachiq12

[sctdixon 6]

Actually, the movimiento migratorio record from DIGEMIN that is required to file the I-130 via DCF in Lima is rock-solid proof that someone has been living in Peru for the amount of time they say they have. Why would someone pay for a CE when they're not planning to reside in Peru for much longer? Bruckerrlb, once you file the I-130 at the consulate, you could have visa in hand within a couple months if there are no problems. If time and money are no problem for you, go ahead and get the CE. Just be sure to give it up when you move to the US so you aren't responsible for the yearly taxes associated with it...

It's worth repeating that I, as well as other VJ members, have successfully filed DCF in Peru without a CE.

Excellent point. I did not take into consideration the costs associated with obtaining a carnet and any yearly tax burden. I was fortunate enough that my employer paid all those fees. My bad..

[bruckerrlb 0]

Actually, the movimiento migratorio record from DIGEMIN that is required to file the I-130 via DCF in Lima is rock-solid proof that someone has been living in Peru for the amount of time they say they have. Why would someone pay for a CE when they're not planning to reside in Peru for much longer? Bruckerrlb, once you file the I-130 at the consulate, you could have visa in hand within a couple months if there are no problems. If time and money are no problem for you, go ahead and get the CE. Just be sure to give it up when you move to the US so you aren't responsible for the yearly taxes associated with it...

It's worth repeating that I, as well as other VJ members, have successfully filed DCF in Peru without a CE.

Thanks for the heads up. I live in Arequipa, and have tried to get in contact with the embassy on regards to living in Peru, and wasn't told anything specific was required to file the I-130 here. I have not seen any documentation or heard anything specific until now. Can you tell me where you saw the info regarding the movimiento migratorio record from DIGEMIN to be required to file the I-130 via lima? Thanks again!

[yachachiq12 43]

When you go to Lima to inquire about the I-130 DCF filing, they give you the list of requirements (which are different from filing to the lockbox). You should call during their telephone hours or write an email to them. Calling is probably best. I could tell you what I had to submit, but the requirements change all the time (the movimiento migratorio seems to remain constant). I will attach the I-130 table of contents for our filing in 2010 here. The other important requirement is that if your marriage certificate is from a province in Peru outside of Lima, then you will need to have it legalized at RENIEC (either in Lima in one day or in the provinces waiting about 10 days since they send it to Lima). I'd recommend getting a few copies legalized at RENIEC so you have them in the US for any future needs. When we did it, USCIS and CBP kept one of our legalized "originals."

When you do DCF, you have to prove intent to re-establish domicile in the US or that you never abandoned US domicile with the I-864 at the interview. Getting a CE right before moving to the US also will not help you in the domicile problem. If you had gotten one awhile ago, that would be a different story. If you've been in Peru legally, you should not need the CE to file DCF. Be sure to include a lease and/or some affidavits about residing there.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.pdf

[bruckerrlb 0]

When you go to Lima to inquire about the I-130 DCF filing, they give you the list of requirements (which are different from filing to the lockbox). You should call during their telephone hours or write an email to them. Calling is probably best. I could tell you what I had to submit, but the requirements change all the time (the movimiento migratorio seems to remain constant). I will attach the I-130 table of contents for our filing in 2010 here. The other important requirement is that if your marriage certificate is from a province in Peru outside of Lima, then you will need to have it legalized at RENIEC (either in Lima in one day or in the provinces waiting about 10 days since they send it to Lima). I'd recommend getting a few copies legalized at RENIEC so you have them in the US for any future needs. When we did it, USCIS and CBP kept one of our legalized "originals."

When you do DCF, you have to prove intent to re-establish domicile in the US or that you never abandoned US domicile with the I-864 at the interview. Getting a CE right before moving to the US also will not help you in the domicile problem. If you had gotten one awhile ago, that would be a different story. If you've been in Peru legally, you should not need the CE to file DCF. Be sure to include a lease and/or some affidavits about residing there.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.pdf

Thank you very much. I apologize about taking over this thread. I did call and email and was told I need to go to Lima, but that's easier said than done on this side, especially when the purpose of the trip is to get a list. So I have all my documents for the I-130 as required in the I-130 instructions. I have my marriage certificate legalized through the renec, even the religious certificate and all translated with cover letter as when I was preparing this, I wanted to have more than less due to the relative nature of some of the requirements such as "additional proof of bonafide marriage". I was really hoping to just submit this when I go there on Tuesday, but if that's not the case, at least I'll have the official list for DCF filing. Thanks again