tourist visa filing for an I-130

[Tourseasia 5]

Greetings to all!

I, a USA citizen, wants to file an I-130 to petition my wife & stepson to start the process for a CR-1 to immigrant to the USA.

Current DCF procedures state that if a US Citizen lives overseas they may file the I-130 for a foreign spouse, child or parent at the US Consulate / USCIS Field Office governing their place of residence.

In most cases permanent residence abroad must be legally established for a period of six months prior to submitting an I-130 petition.

What do they mean by permanent residence? I'm on a tourist visa that I renew every 2 months, and leave the country every year and return. I have been doing this for 12yrs. Do I need a 13a permanent residence visa in the Philippines before I can file a I-130?

Why would I file for permanent residence if I'm going to petition to leave with my wife & stepson to the USA?

Those of you that have filed I-130's to petition your wife, what visa did you hold in the Philippines when you did this?

Thanks!

Edited July 29, 2012 by Tourseasia

[John Kegley 1]

Greetings to all!

I, a USA citizen, wants to file an I-130 to petition my wife & stepson to start the process for a CR-1 to immigrant to the USA.

Current DCF procedures state that if a US Citizen lives overseas they may file the I-130 for a foreign spouse, child or parent at the US Consulate / USCIS Field Office governing their place of residence.

In most cases permanent residence abroad must be legally established for a period of six months prior to submitting an I-130 petition.

What do they mean by permanent residence? I'm on a tourist visa that I renew every 2 months, and leave the country every year and return. I have been doing this for 12yrs. Do I need a 13a permanent residence visa in the Philippines before I can file a I-130?

Why would I file for permanent residence if I'm going to petition to leave with my wife & stepson to the USA?

Those of you that have filed I-130's to petition your wife, what visa did you hold in the Philippines when you did this?

Thanks!

I am on a tourist visa and have filed my wife's I130. All you need is to have proof of living here for a minimum of 6 months. Also, you don't need to leave every year unless you are using the BB visa. If you do leave every year then take your wife with you to avail yourself of the yearly free visa you can get when traveling with your wife.