Domicile during process for Costa Rica

[lucybelle 453]

I just can't seem to find it anywhere. Do I need to be in the USA while applying for an immigrant visa for my Costa Rican boyfriend? Or can I do it from abroad? If I do need to be in the states, do I have to be in the USA from the get-go? Or can I move back half way through the process or closer to the end? I'd hate to have to be separated again

[ticavms 0]

This link may help you

http://costarica.usembassy.gov/consimmigrant.html

If the petitioner resides in Costa Rica or any other country where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, the Form I-130 must be filed with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox

[C-ma'am 684]

Lucy, what kind of visa would you be applying for? A fiancee visa? A spousal visa? For a K1 (fiance(e)) visa, you could send everything from Costa Rica to apply, but you will need a reliable US address where they will mail you all the notifications too (could be from a family member).

Also, for either one of these visas, you will need a sponsor for your boyfriend; which requires someone that can be financially responsible for him, by ensuring the government, he won't become a public charge.

This site has a TON of information on these two visas, I suggest you start reading up on them and see which one fits your needs.

[kate&javi 26]

You can live overseas, that is certainly no problem. My father sent our package because I left it there when I returned to Honduras for work, but you can send it from overseas as well.

[lucybelle 453]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I plan on filing CR-1 visa. Thanks for the link, I never thought to look up info on the embassy website. Hopefully I can get my packet together, physically bring it to the USA, and then have it mailed from there. Mail here is just awful and I don't want them to mess things up I'm trying to get lots of info together right now, even though we probably won't file for another 7 months or so. Can never be too prepared with all this stuff though!

Thanks again everyone!