USC petitioner living abroad

[Texxon 1]

bump

[Paul&Vha 2]

I have been staying in Indonesia since August, 2011. I got married here in September, 2011. There is no USCIS office here and DCF is not an option. On the I-130 I listed my US residence but wrote a very specific and detailed letter about my circumstance; I even noted that it was stressful and expensive but that I would rather stay with my wife during the process. They did not expedite our case and we had to wait 5 months, and got approved in April 2012. We were at the California Service Center. (I am still in Indonesia waiting for the NVC to complete our case). This is the first I've heard about any expedition due to being abroad.

[Mudasirk 1]

I have been staying in Indonesia since August, 2011. I got married here in September, 2011. There is no USCIS office here and DCF is not an option. On the I-130 I listed my US residence but wrote a very specific and detailed letter about my circumstance; I even noted that it was stressful and expensive but that I would rather stay with my wife during the process. They did not expedite our case and we had to wait 5 months, and got approved in April 2012. We were at the California Service Center. (I am still in Indonesia waiting for the NVC to complete our case). This is the first I've heard about any expedition due to being abroad.

Should've used your indonesians address

-P

[lucybelle 453]

I have been staying in Indonesia since August, 2011. I got married here in September, 2011. There is no USCIS office here and DCF is not an option. On the I-130 I listed my US residence but wrote a very specific and detailed letter about my circumstance; I even noted that it was stressful and expensive but that I would rather stay with my wife during the process. They did not expedite our case and we had to wait 5 months, and got approved in April 2012. We were at the California Service Center. (I am still in Indonesia waiting for the NVC to complete our case). This is the first I've heard about any expedition due to being abroad.

Hmm, making me think I should put my Costa Rica address instead of my mom's USA address...

[Paul&Vha 2]

Hmm, making me think I should put my Costa Rica address instead of my mom's USA address...

From what I am hearing, that might be a big time saver for you. Can't say for sure, but it sounds like it could potentially shave off 4 1/2 months of frustrated waiting . Certainly wouldn't hurt.

[Laure&Colin 558]

Hey guys!

We now have numerous testimonies and what we can gather is that the only absolute necessity to be routed to the expedited queue is to PROVIDE YOUR FOREIGN ADDRESS ON ALL FORMS of the I-130 package. Do NOT provide your parent's address in the US in one of the forms, give your foreign address ONLY.

Of course, you have to be extra careful in reviewing your package because an RFE could compromise everything, especially if the postal service in the country you reside in is not reliable.

And do NOT use a lawyer: they're not even aware that this special queue exists, and they'll most probably insist on writing a US address on the forms, sending you in for the long wait.

[Darnell 8,478]

....checks in... waves hullo... you fellas rock !!

[lsp 0]

Thanks JNEKG for responding. Knowing we have 12 months to file - and that we can control a bit more of the process is good news to us. We'll answer back to the survey once our paperwork has been submitted.

You have a lot of questions there lsp.

You are in control of how quickly or slowly the NVC process goes but not the USCiS process. As you can see from this forum there is a chance you will be auto expedited if you file from nica or SA.

You have 12 months to return documentation to NVC. So if your case gets to NVC and you get your case number and pay your AOS you have 12 months to lodge supporting documentation. Likewise for you DS230 package which is where you are required to submit the PCC.

I think you have to list your "current" address on the I130 so if you are filing from nica you will have to list that address. Others may be able to offer more advice here.

All the best and let us know how you go in terms of auto expedite.

Best wishes.

[Texxon 1]

And do NOT use a lawyer: they're not even aware that this special queue exists, and they'll most probably insist on writing a US address on the forms, sending you in for the long wait.

This is my experience: I nearly hired a lawyer last Thursday but walked out of his office when he told me it would take 2 weeks to file the I-130s for my wife and stepson. He knew nothing of this queue; he said it would take a year (+2 weeks) and over $5,000 to re-unite my family.

[kyriennev 0]

More evidence for "auto-expedited"

1. Country USC resides in: Vietnam.

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

3. When did you file the I-130: April/May 2012.

4. How long had you been living abroad: 5 years.

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes.

6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - Work.

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, my temporary residence registration to show joint residence.

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)? No.

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes. 9 days.

Our timeline:

April 14, 2012: mailed I-130 application from Vietnam

May 8, 2012: Date of NOA1, received email from USCIS (case routed to CSC)

May 17, 2012: Received NOA1 through the mail

May 17, 2012: Date of NOA2 (was not aware because was expecting to wait at least a couple of months)

May 26, 2012: NOA2 received through the mail. Unfortunately, they somehow thought my husband was in the States and asked that we file I-485 to adjust status or I-824 to request transfer to NVC (I-824 fee is $405)

May 29, 2012: Called USCIS (NCSC), was escalated to 2nd tier customer service. They sent a notice to CSC to send our case to NVC (no need to file I-824).

June 12, 2012: Email from USCIS stating our case has been transferred to NVC.

In total, taking into consideration mail time and the mistake with the I-485, it took us about 2 months. Still grateful since others seem to be waiting 5 or more months with the regular time schedule.

Edited June 14, 2012 by kyriennev

[bsd058 296]

More evidence for "auto-expedited"

1. Country USC resides in: Vietnam.

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

3. When did you file the I-130: April/May 2012.

4. How long had you been living abroad: 5 years.

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes.

6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - Work.

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, my temporary residence registration to show joint residence.

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)? No.

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes. 9 days.

Our timeline:

April 14, 2012: mailed I-130 application from Vietnam

May 8, 2012: Date of NOA1, received email from USCIS (case routed to CSC)

May 17, 2012: Received NOA1 through the mail

May 17, 2012: Date of NOA2 (was not aware because was expecting to wait at least a couple of months)

May 26, 2012: NOA2 received through the mail. Unfortunately, they somehow thought my husband was in the States and asked that we file I-485 to adjust status or I-824 to request transfer to NVC (I-824 fee is $405)

May 29, 2012: Called USCIS (NCSC), was escalated to 2nd tier customer service. They sent a notice to CSC to send our case to NVC (no need to file I-824).

June 12, 2012: Email from USCIS stating our case has been transferred to NVC.

In total, taking into consideration mail time and the mistake with the I-485, it took us about 2 months. Still grateful since others seem to be waiting 5 or more months with the regular time schedule.

Wow! That's great!

I just found out I received NOA1. They didn't send the e-notification, but whatever. June 14th was when they sent the NOA1. Hopefully I only have to wait 9 days, too! That would be great! I'm assuming it's when everything seems to be in order and they cannot find any bad background for the applicant or the petitioner that they auto-expedite. Hopefully everything is good with mine.

[bsd058 296]

This is my experience: I nearly hired a lawyer last Thursday but walked out of his office when he told me it would take 2 weeks to file the I-130s for my wife and stepson. He knew nothing of this queue; he said it would take a year (+2 weeks) and over $5,000 to re-unite my family.

I don't know if lawyers could know it. Since they are professionals, they cannot help their clients based on hearsay, and there is nothing about this queue on USCIS. It seems to be a recent phenomenon of the USCIS system at the present time.

Hopefully they are able to issue more speedy approvals of the I-130 now, but lawyers go based upon the average wait time is (9 months for I-130). Although, they must take into account the average time for NVC (about 2-3 months) and the interview stage (about 2 weeks). So, while they seem somewhat out of touch with reality, you can't blame them. Most earn their living off of under-promising and over-delivering. Plus, since this is new and not listed on the USCIS website, they don't want to say one thing and then have USCIS change their processing methods again back to the old way of doing things.

They try to base their decisions off of facts. So far, we are speculating on the reasons for the auto-expediting. While I want it to go quickly for me (my wife and I live in Canada), there is no way to know for sure if this is the reason for the recent expediting of cases.

[dreamwarrior 0]

oops, i gave my usa address on my i130 and g325a. does that mean all correspondence will be to that address even though i filed from abroad? is there any way to remedy this? i wish i had read the updates here before i filed...

[furenchitoasto 0]

Just recieved NOA1 in the mail today. They received our packet on June 8th, and the NOA1 notice date is June 11th. I checked the case number on the USCIS website and under the ''Post Decision Activity" tab, it says I-130 has been approved on June 18th and that another notice has been mailed out. Is that the "NOA2" that we're waiting for next? It's moved through the USCIS that quickly??

[bsd058 296]

Just recieved NOA1 in the mail today. They received our packet on June 8th, and the NOA1 notice date is June 11th. I checked the case number on the USCIS website and under the ''Post Decision Activity" tab, it says I-130 has been approved on June 18th and that another notice has been mailed out. Is that the "NOA2" that we're waiting for next? It's moved through the USCIS that quickly??

Sounds like it! you should fill out the survey listed throughout this thread. It will give others insight into why you were expedited (7 days). Thanks! And Congrats!