I-130 & G325A Forms Confusing

[Bacon and Cabbage 0]

Hi all,

Im an Irish Citizen, living in Ireland with my wife who is from the US. We were married in Ireland a few years ago and are now starting the process of applying for a visa so we can live in the US together.

My question is regarding the filling of the initial forms, the I-130 and G325A forms. They are so confusing and Im not having much luck with getting sample forms online with information that's similar to our situation. All the samples assume that the US citizen is living in the US, whereas I'm sure there are many couples who live abroad together and then decide to move to US.

I'll give you an example of a question which we are unsure about.

I-130

Section C, Question 18: "Address in the United States where your relative intends to live."

At the moment we live in Ireland, her Mom lives in Utah, and we want to live in Cali, should we put down her Mom's address?

I know a lot of people have found, and will find this process difficult. However we seem to be finding it harder just because she lives with me in Ireland now.

Does anyone know of any samples of any forms which show where both the Immigrant and the US Citizen, specifically married, are living together abroad? Or could anyone with experience possibly mock a sample one up for us to help us on our way?! I feel so stupid for asking but we're stuck

Kind regards,

Paul

[forgivennt4saken 16]

Hi all,

Im an Irish Citizen, living in Ireland with my wife who is from the US. We were married in Ireland a few years ago and are now starting the process of applying for a visa so we can live in the US together.

My question is regarding the filling of the initial forms, the I-130 and G325A forms. They are so confusing and Im not having much luck with getting sample forms online with information that's similar to our situation. All the samples assume that the US citizen is living in the US, whereas I'm sure there are many couples who live abroad together and then decide to move to US.

I'll give you an example of a question which we are unsure about.

I-130

Section C, Question 18: "Address in the United States where your relative intends to live."

At the moment we live in Ireland, her Mom lives in Utah, and we want to live in Cali, should we put down her Mom's address?

I know a lot of people have found, and will find this process difficult. However we seem to be finding it harder just because she lives with me in Ireland now.

Does anyone know of any samples of any forms which show where both the Immigrant and the US Citizen, specifically married, are living together abroad? Or could anyone with experience possibly mock a sample one up for us to help us on our way?! I feel so stupid for asking but we're stuck

Kind regards,

Paul

I am sorry and I know what you are going through. I too filed while I and my spouse both are residing in Europe. I will tell you that when those forms ask you for things stateside such as address where your relative intends to live, the address of a family member that you trust, such as mother-in-law or sister, is fine. I said trust because those people are going to be receiving your documents to include SSN and GC. So you do not want untrustworthy people receiving them. I can create a sample g-325 for you if you like.

Edited February 27, 2012 by forgivennt4saken

[forgivennt4saken 16]

I am sorry and I know what you are going through. I too filed while I and my spouse both are residing in Europe. I will tell you that when those forms ask you for things stateside such as address where your relative intends to live, the address of a family member that you trust, such as mother-in-law or sister, is fine. I said trust because those people are going to be receiving your documents to include SSN and GC. So you do not want untrustworthy people receiving them. If you tell me what confuses you about the G325a I can guide you through that and the I-130. You can email me if you like. We just completed my wife's process and just turned in the I-130 and G325A for our children.

Sorry I was trying to edit my earlier post and it created a new one!

Edited February 27, 2012 by forgivennt4saken

[pushbrk 12,903]

Hi all,

Im an Irish Citizen, living in Ireland with my wife who is from the US. We were married in Ireland a few years ago and are now starting the process of applying for a visa so we can live in the US together.

My question is regarding the filling of the initial forms, the I-130 and G325A forms. They are so confusing and Im not having much luck with getting sample forms online with information that's similar to our situation. All the samples assume that the US citizen is living in the US, whereas I'm sure there are many couples who live abroad together and then decide to move to US.

I'll give you an example of a question which we are unsure about.

I-130

Section C, Question 18: "Address in the United States where your relative intends to live."

At the moment we live in Ireland, her Mom lives in Utah, and we want to live in Cali, should we put down her Mom's address?

I know a lot of people have found, and will find this process difficult. However we seem to be finding it harder just because she lives with me in Ireland now.

Does anyone know of any samples of any forms which show where both the Immigrant and the US Citizen, specifically married, are living together abroad? Or could anyone with experience possibly mock a sample one up for us to help us on our way?! I feel so stupid for asking but we're stuck

Kind regards,

Paul

Unless you intend to live with her Mom, don't indicate you do. "Unknown" or "To Be Determined" are both acceptable answers, as applicable, when things are either unknown or yet to be determined. You mention the G325a but not any specific problem. I suggest you interpret the questions literally and simply answer them accurately.

I am sorry and I know what you are going through. I too filed while I and my spouse both are residing in Europe. I will tell you that when those forms ask you for things stateside such as address where your relative intends to live, the address of a family member that you trust, such as mother-in-law or sister, is fine. I said trust because those people are going to be receiving your documents to include SSN and GC. So you do not want untrustworthy people receiving them. I can create a sample g-325 for you if you like.

When it comes time to provide an actual visa application, DS230, you'll want to indicate where you'll initially be staying and who lives there. It's OK if that's different from what was previously stated on the I-130. The answers on the petition do NOT determine where your SS and Green Cards are mailed.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

Unless you intend to live with her Mom, don't indicate you do. "Unknown" or "To Be Determined" are both acceptable answers, as applicable, when things are either unknown or yet to be determined. You mention the G325a but not any specific problem. I suggest you interpret the questions literally and simply answer them accurately.

When it comes time to provide an actual visa application, DS230, you'll want to indicate where you'll initially be staying and who lives there. It's OK if that's different from what was previously stated on the I-130. The answers on the petition do NOT determine where your SS and Green Cards are mailed.

Just completed filing in Germany and this is the info I was given. I placed unknown in the form initially and they said the form had to be redone. Also upon interview at the consulate I was also told that the GC was going to be sent to the stateside address that I placed on the I-130. Not providing hearsay but direct consular words.

[pushbrk 12,903]

Just completed filing in Germany and this is the info I was given. I placed unknown in the form initially and they said the form had to be redone. Also upon interview at the consulate I was also told that the GC was going to be sent to the stateside address that I placed on the I-130. Not providing hearsay but direct consular words.

I get it but I expect that, in your case, the address on the I-130 and the address on the DS230 were the same. They need not be. I assure you, the Embassy abroad has nothing to say about where the green card is mailed. That's on USCIS, and they will go by the DS230.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

I get it but I expect that, in your case, the address on the I-130 and the address on the DS230 were the same. They need not be. I assure you, the Embassy abroad has nothing to say about where the green card is mailed. That's on USCIS, and they will go by the DS230.

You are correct. The addresses on the 230 and the 130 were the same. But they would be the same in the original poster's question also as they currently reside overseas and do not know where they will live at once they leave. They are trying to complete the process before they leave so they can leave together. I understand what you are saying about USCIS but that is where I filed and who gave me the information. USCIS Frankfurt.

[pushbrk 12,903]

You are correct. The addresses on the 230 and the 130 were the same. But they would be the same in the original poster's question also as they currently reside overseas and do not know where they will live at once they leave. They are trying to complete the process before they leave so they can leave together. I understand what you are saying about USCIS but that is where I filed and who gave me the information. USCIS Frankfurt.

The OP's answers may or may not be the same on both forms. If not, the SS and GC's will be mailed to the address on the DS230 by separate government agencies that will not care what a USCIS office abroad told anybody.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

The OP's answers may or may not be the same on both forms. If not, the SS and GC's will be mailed to the address on the DS230 by separate government agencies that will not care what a USCIS office abroad told anybody.

Ok...Now I understand what you are saying..but,why would the answers be different. The OP said that they want to live in Cali, but still currently live in Ireland; therefore, they do not have an address for the DS-230 which has to be an address in the US of which they still do not have of their own. Initially I placed unknown on my I-130 and was told I had to place an address in there. I live in Germany and have no idea where I will be staying when I move in a few months.

Edited February 28, 2012 by forgivennt4saken

[pushbrk 12,903]

Ok...Now I understand what you are saying..but,why would the answers be different. The OP said that they want to live in Cali, but still currently live in Ireland; therefore, they do not have an address for the DS-230 which has to be an address in the US of which they still do not have of their own. Initially I placed unknown on my I-130 and was told I had to place an address in there. I live in Germany and have no idea where I will be staying when I move in a few months.

I-130 and DS-230 are not filed together. Things may well change by the time they file the DS-230, you know, like actually establishing US domicile.

[AntandAsh 0]

Hey Paul, I am in pretty much exactly the same situation as yourself except I got married last September and both me and my wife want to live in the US asap, I am from Limerick and my wife is American. I hate that all the official forms seem to take it for granted that the American spouse is living in America, We just filled in my wife's grandparent's place as intended address, we will probably end up there for a couple of weeks anyway. We both want to move to California asap when we get over but it takes time to get sorted with a job/place etc. We just sent off the I-130 two weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back, I actually started a thread about that as I'm getting worried, here's hoping we both get through what looks like a long and overly complicated process! ps my own name is Anthony.

[forgivennt4saken 16]

Hey Paul, I am in pretty much exactly the same situation as yourself except I got married last September and both me and my wife want to live in the US asap, I am from Limerick and my wife is American. I hate that all the official forms seem to take it for granted that the American spouse is living in America, We just filled in my wife's grandparent's place as intended address, we will probably end up there for a couple of weeks anyway. We both want to move to California asap when we get over but it takes time to get sorted with a job/place etc. We just sent off the I-130 two weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back, I actually started a thread about that as I'm getting worried, here's hoping we both get through what looks like a long and overly complicated process! ps my own name is Anthony.

It took me about 3 months to get my I-130 approved. I was told from the beginning it would take that long. Standard wait time for Germany. What is the wait time like in Ireland?

[AntandAsh 0]

It took me about 3 months to get my I-130 approved. I was told from the beginning it would take that long. Standard wait time for Germany. What is the wait time like in Ireland?

Hey, well I am actually hoping for 3 months also, it probably would have been quicker if we could have applied directly to the embassey but USCIS changed the rules on that unfortunately, I am just worried now because like I was saying I sent off the I-130 two weeks ago and still haven't received any NOA1!

[forgivennt4saken 16]

Hey, well I am actually hoping for 3 months also, it probably would have been quicker if we could have applied directly to the embassey but USCIS changed the rules on that unfortunately, I am just worried now because like I was saying I sent off the I-130 two weeks ago and still haven't received any NOA1!

I doubt if it would have went any quicker because I turned the I-130 for my kids in on 1 Feb in person at the consulate and still no answer. Unless you get any RFE in the mail, everything is fine.

[AntandAsh 0]

I doubt if it would have went any quicker because I turned the I-130 for my kids in on 1 Feb in person at the consulate and still no answer. Unless you get any RFE in the mail, everything is fine.

Yeah I probably just need to be a little more patient, I am a little worried because I ticked the box saying 'status as permanent resident' on the g-325a form instead of ticking 'other' and putting 1-130 but it's pretty obvious it's an 1-130 since we are both here in Ireland and we stated in the cover letter what we were applying for, I'm more worried the package was lost or something but I'm probably just paranoid, just hope I hear soon.