USC petitioner living abroad

[Wingnutfish 18]

Does anyone know whether the USCIS is still "auto-expediting" applications from overseas?

[Roosha 51]

As far as I can tell from the past month or so, yes they are. As long as the paperwork is filled out right (overseas address on the i-130 form wherever they ask it, mention it on your cover letter, etc.) and you make sure that you mark your file as "filed from abroad" in every way, you should get expedited. It won't be one or two weeks like before, but you can (hopefully) expect a processing time of about 40 days. Of course all of this goes out the window if they start transferring petitions elsewhere or change their procedures again!

[qm3tam 0]

1. Country USC resides in: Hong Kong

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No

3. When did you file the I-130: Dec 2012

4. How long had you been living abroad: 3 years

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes

6. What is the reason for your residence: Student

7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes

8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes

10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, 41 days.

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks!

I have just one concern - won't emphasizing my residence abroad make it harder for me to fulfill the U.S. residency requirement for bringing my spouse to the U.S.?

[Mntjc 14]

Thanks!

I have just one concern - won't emphasizing my residence abroad make it harder for me to fulfill the U.S. residency requirement for bringing my spouse to the U.S.?

If you are living abroad, you have to show intent to re-establish your domicile to the US.

Emphasizing or not, having your residency abroad is legal information that you will have to share with USCIS and NVC.

Look there for ideas on how to do that at the NVC step: 2nd post by Saylin "What if I (the petitioner) live with my spouse in their foreign country? Do I need to include anything in either package?".

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks! That's very useful. Is there anywhere I can get an idea of just how much proof they'll want? Or what they'll think of me having recently been granted residency in a foreign country?

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Thanks! That's very useful. Is there anywhere I can get an idea of just how much proof they'll want? Or what they'll think of me having recently been granted residency in a foreign country?

That list on the NVC thread is a fairly accurate representation of what you'll need. The US government doesn't care if you have residency abroad or are a transient illegal.

[Wingnutfish 18]

I mean, if I can only provide half of those things, or a third of those things, is that okay? I understand there are no concrete answers to these things, but I want to know if there's a general idea of where the threshold is.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I mean, if I can only provide half of those things, or a third of those things, is that okay? I understand there are no concrete answers to these things, but I want to know if there's a general idea of where the threshold is.

You should probably start your own thread about what you have and ask for some feedback.

[Roosha 51]

You should probably start your own thread about what you have and ask for some feedback.

Exactly. Start your own thread, you'll get more views and more opinions that way. How strict the domicile requirement is depends on the consulate. Those coming from Canada get scrutinized pretty ruthlessly, there's a whole thread on how to prove domicile in the Canada forum. You might try asking in your country's forum for more specific information on how strict your consulate is about the domicile issue. Again, this is only my opinion, you should really start your own thread.

[Wingnutfish 18]

Okay, thanks! Sorry to crowd this thread with my tangent.

[lierre 224]

As far as I can tell from the past month or so, yes they are. As long as the paperwork is filled out right (overseas address on the i-130 form wherever they ask it, mention it on your cover letter, etc.) and you make sure that you mark your file as "filed from abroad" in every way, you should get expedited. It won't be one or two weeks like before, but you can (hopefully) expect a processing time of about 40 days. Of course all of this goes out the window if they start transferring petitions elsewhere or change their procedures again!

Ah I so wish for a 40 day processing time

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Ah I so wish for a 40 day processing time

So do I, but it has been 103 days. We are special snowflakes, though.

[lierre 224]

So do I, but it has been 103 days. We are special snowflakes, though.

I am feeling very positive about your case. It will come soon

[Milagrito 1]

1. Country USC resides in: Colombia

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No

3. When did you file the I-130: October 19, 2012

4. How long had you been living abroad: 2.5 years

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes, I have a temporary spousal visa

6. What is the reason for your residence: Living with my husband

7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes.

8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes

10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? No...56 days.