Selecting a service center

[payxibka 10,045]

My understanding of the regulations is that you can send your petition to either the service center that covers the state you currently live in (currently my permanent address) or to the service center in the state that covers an address you expect to live in.

Here is my question: I have the opportunity to put in a valid address in a state that is covered by VSC (my sister's residence). She has offered this so I need I can receive mail at that address. If my interpretation of the regulations is correct and should I opt for that opportunity, will VSC send all my snail mail to that address or my permanent address where I currently live? Anyone think of any pitfalls to this approach?

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

I don't know the answer..but I wish I would've thought of this...

What about tax returns..

Job letter..

stuff like that...

My understanding of the regulations is that you can send your petition to either the service center that covers the state you currently live in (currently my permanent address) or to the service center in the state that covers an address you expect to live in.

Here is my question: I have the opportunity to put in a valid address in a state that is covered by VSC (my sister's residence). She has offered this so I need I can receive mail at that address. If my interpretation of the regulations is correct and should I opt for that opportunity, will VSC send all my snail mail to that address or my permanent address where I currently live? Anyone think of any pitfalls to this approach?

[payxibka 10,045]

I don't know the answer..but I wish I would've thought of this...

What about tax returns..

Job letter..

stuff like that...

My understanding of the regulations is that you can send your petition to either the service center that covers the state you currently live in (currently my permanent address) or to the service center in the state that covers an address you expect to live in.

Here is my question: I have the opportunity to put in a valid address in a state that is covered by VSC (my sister's residence). She has offered this so I need I can receive mail at that address. If my interpretation of the regulations is correct and should I opt for that opportunity, will VSC send all my snail mail to that address or my permanent address where I currently live? Anyone think of any pitfalls to this approach?

That is all interview level documentation not USCIS petition....

[payxibka 10,045]

I don't know the answer..but I wish I would've thought of this...

What actually clued me in to look at the options available was a friend of mine who lived in Ohio actually rented an apartment in Podunk, VA (or some city like that) for a period of 30 days. He then filed his petition at VSC instead of NSC (back then VSC was turning petitions in less than 30 days and NSC was 180 days, Oh wait not a lot different than today!). Anyways, I reviewed the regs and came up with this idea but it was too late for me back then as I already had a petition pending at NSC (which I withdrew before approval) .... Now two+ years, I am in a position to consider testing it....

[YuAndDan 153]

The problem may arise when the service center starts doing a background and name check and not finding that you reside at the location that the petition is showing they may start asking questions. Lying on an application like that to the government is never a good thing. Why risk it?

Besides lately CSC has been fairly quick on applications now that most of the IMBRA backlog has been cleared. I am seeing timeliness with July/Aug NOA1 getting NOA2 SEP/OCT.

[payxibka 10,045]

The problem may arise when the service center starts doing a background and name check and not finding that you reside at the location that the petition is showing they may start asking questions. Lying on an application like that to the government is never a good thing. Why risk it?

Besides lately CSC has been fairly quick on applications now that most of the IMBRA backlog has been cleared. I am seeing timeliness with July/Aug NOA1 getting NOA2 SEP/OCT.

Here is the rub... It says "expect" to live.... I can easily say that I "expect" to live there eventhough I have never lived there... I realize this is splitting hairs but......

I agree that things are significantly speeding up here and it may be moot but I think my theory is sound...

[Ecalos 0]

Why risk it...

If it really were a viable option I think quite a few more people on these forums would have done it.

So many people come on here asking "HOW FAST CAN I GET MY PETITION DONE?!" And the answer is always "as fast as the rest of us". If there were a shortcut, or a loophole, everyone on these forums would know about it.

[payxibka 10,045]

Why risk it...

If it really were a viable option I think quite a few more people on these forums would have done it.

So many people come on here asking "HOW FAST CAN I GET MY PETITION DONE?!" And the answer is always "as fast as the rest of us". If there were a shortcut, or a loophole, everyone on these forums would know about it.

I agree intrinsically with what you are saying, but if in fact it is allowable to submit based on your "intended" location what is the risk? They transfer the petition to CSC? They return it?

[aussiewench 9]

fwaguy

Can you post the link where you read this as I was under the impression that 'filing where you will reside eventually' applied to those US citizens who were not currently in the US.

Would like to add. Hubby at the time we filed had no fixed address and was travelling across the US staying with family etc for various amounts of time. He filed using his sisters address covered by VSC as VSC was approving much faster. If one can do it, do it.

[payxibka 10,045]

fwaguy

Can you post the link where you read this as I was under the impression that 'filing where you will reside eventually' applied to those US citizens who were not currently in the US.

Would like to add. Hubby at the time we filed had no fixed address and was travelling across the US staying with family etc for various amounts of time. He filed using his sisters address covered by VSC as VSC was approving much faster. If one can do it, do it.

I may ultimately be complete wet here......

This why I really posted the question here in the first place. The link I have is over two years old and is to the then BCIS website which now goes to the USCIS website but all the pages are different. I am not bright enough to have thought of this scheme all by myself. It has been locked away in my mind for 2+ years. If I was 100% sure of this then I would have just done it and reported back my success or failure. I wanted to see if any fellow VJ'ers could confirm or blow an absolute hole in it. So far, I have suspicion but no definitive proof in either direction. Well the definitive proof is that I really lack any proof right now..... And I will not do anything of this kind unless I know I am correct... Lack of any good support, it appears I will file at the NSC once again....

FYI, US Citizens abroad are to file at the service center based on there last residence....

[aussiewench 9]

fwaguy

I'm sure I read something a little different only the other day. Am going through lots of info to refind it and will post back soon as, one way or the other.

[aliciaandfran 0]

Why risk it...

If it really were a viable option I think quite a few more people on these forums would have done it.

So many people come on here asking "HOW FAST CAN I GET MY PETITION DONE?!" And the answer is always "as fast as the rest of us". If there were a shortcut, or a loophole, everyone on these forums would know about it.

Good one! Everybody has to just sit back and "try" to endure the ride!

[ucla_cutie26 0]

I wouldn't risk it, remember what may seem easy now, may cause problems in the future . . . but then again I do worry WAY too much. But I still wouldn't do it!

[payxibka 10,045]

I wouldn't risk it, remember what may seem easy now, may cause problems in the future . . . but then again I do worry WAY too much. But I still wouldn't do it!

I have pretty much dropped the idea in my mind but what concerns me is everyone keeps telling me not to "risk" it. What truly is the risk? Will VSC return my petition? Will VSC transfer it to CSC? Somethig much worse? What am I missing?

[ucla_cutie26 0]

Like I said in my previous post, I worry way too much and I personally would not do it. I don't know, what if your fiance is at the interview stage and they ask about your job, past income taxes if they notice your address on them and then they figure out you filed in the wrong center. Or what if after it is approved, but then they find out you should have filed at the CSC, and then you have to go through the entire process once again. Is that a risk you want to take? But then again, you could get away with it and speed right on through. Me personally, I would not take that route. I would file at the center I am supposed too, even if it's the CSC. Just think about it and decide what's best for you. Good luck!