i-130 Question B2 for Petitioner living abroad

[John V 0]

Hi,

I am currently living abroad in Vietnam, I am trying to file a i-130 for my wife. On the i-130 form, Question B2 (Address), should I put in my US mail address or my Vietnam Resident Address?

Thanks...

[John V 0]

Added Note: I am a US Citizen working abroad in Vietnam.

[ScottThuy 140]

tricky question since they don't do direct filing visas in VN anymore... You can always put the VN address, but IMO the issue is that you will be sending the paperwork from VN to the US and vice versa... You will have to show that you have a residence in the US at some point(not just a mail drop).. have you worked that out yet?

[John V 0]

Thanks...

Yes, I just recently brought a home in US. By putting my Vietnam address, my concern is that the postal (mail) system in Vietnam is not very reliable. I prefer to use the my US home address for mailing purpose. But if I put the US address, does the USICS still consider me a living-abroad?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thanks...

Yes, I just recently brought a home in US. By putting my Vietnam address, my concern is that the postal (mail) system in Vietnam is not very reliable. I prefer to use the my US home address for mailing purpose. But if I put the US address, does the USICS still consider me a living-abroad?

Use your US address. How often do you go to the US? If you get an RFE you'll have a limited amount of time to respond to it, so you'll want to be checking your mail in the US fairly often.

[KrisP 0]

Thanks...

Yes, I just recently brought a home in US. By putting my Vietnam address, my concern is that the postal (mail) system in Vietnam is not very reliable. I prefer to use the my US home address for mailing purpose. But if I put the US address, does the USICS still consider me a living-abroad?

JohnV, where are you based? I'm beginning my application forms for the I-130 soon too...maybe we can compare notes!

I have the same question/concern. I've been living in VN for 6 years and am in the US only once a year (I do have a US home mailing address as well). Does it help/improve your case if you show you are a resident in Vietnam? My concern is not only the reliability of the postal system in VN but also making the strongest case for application approvals.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hey John and Kris,

There are several issues that you both will need to address (pun not intended).

Use a US address if possible, US mail is way more reliable. Have your family or friend scan and e-mail correspondences from USCIS to you in VN.

When you file the I-130 with USCIS, you will need to provide evidence of a bona fide marriage. Your time living together in VN is a large part of proving that. List where you have lived in VN. This will make for a strong case that you have a real marriage and not one for a green card.

Once the I-130 petition is approved and the case is transferred to the NVC, you will need to provide an I-864 Affidavit of Support. One requirement of the I-864 is that you have a US domicile (legal residence) or will establish one by the time your wife immigrates.

If you are planning a trip to the US during the process, it would be a great time to reestablish your US domicile. Open bank accounts, register to vote, etc. to provide evidence that you have maintain a US domicile. Using a US address will help with this also.

Good luck.

Edited July 24, 2012 by aaron2020

[aloram 1]

Hey John and Kris,

There are several issues that you both will need to address (pun not intended).

Use a US address if possible, US mail is way more reliable. Have your family or friend scan and e-mail correspondences from USCIS to you in VN.

When you file the I-130 with USCIS, you will need to provide evidence of a bona fide marriage. Your time living together in VN is a large part of proving that. List where you have lived in VN. This will make for a strong case that you have a real marriage and not one for a green card.

Once the I-130 petition is approved and the case is transferred to the NVC, you will need to provide an I-864 Affidavit of Support. One requirement of the I-864 is that you have a US domicile (legal residence) or will establish one by the time your wife immigrates.

If you are planning a trip to the US during the process, it would be a great time to reestablish your US domicile. Open bank accounts, register to vote, etc. to provide evidence that you have maintain a US domicile. Using a US address will help with this also.

Good luck.

I'm an American man living in Hanoi with my Vietnamese wife. We're about to submit our I-130, but I've heard different things about which address to use. Since we live together, I figured putting our address here would speed up the process and simplify things. I do have an address in California, but if I put that, will it confuse things and make it look like I don't actually live in Vietnam? Thanks for your help.

[John V 0]

Thank you all your input. Actually, there is no real solution. Looking at the pro/con, I decided to use my US address, the risk of the mail not getting to my resident in VN is high. I also submit my application with prove I living in Vietnam (Resident card, work permit, etc...), "hoping" this will help.

I would like to hear from people who have similar situation and the out come from it.

Thank you,

John