Pregant after filing I-130 from abroad concerned about timing

[Laurafaye 0]

Hi there,

My husband, who is a British citizen, and I (American citizen) got married in the US on July 7, 2012. We both reside in Madrid, Spain. I mailed his I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox in September and received our NOA1 on October 10, 2012. We have not yet received an NOA2 and have no idea what processing center we will be assigned to (but my permanant US address is in Texas).

Here's where my concern comes in. I found out I was pregnant after filing the I-130 and am currently about 8 weeks pregnant. I'm worried that by the time my husband receives his CR-1 visa with a 30-60 day window to travel to the US, I will be unable to travel before him or with him either because I will be too pregnant to fly (and without having a designated OB in the US) or if it happens soon after birth, the baby will not receive its passport within the timeframe. I also don't think it's very realistic for me to go to the US too early in the pregnancy without knowing when my husband will be able to join me because I have a job in Spain, can't expect to find a new job in the US while visibly pregant and I really don't want for my husband to miss my pregnancy or his child's birth.

I know it is quite early in the process to be worried about this, but the timing seems like it could really make things complicated for us. Is there any way to request an extension of the deadline to enter the US under these circumstances? Has anyone dealt with anything like this?

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[ndu26 114]

Could you have missed out on direct consular filing(DCF)? did you indicate ur address in spain in all of the spots on your I-130 and G325 or you used your US address? if spain has DCF then you may have miised out on saving months of delay at the USCIS stage.

I am also 7 weeks pregnant and so understand your concerns. i do not want my husband to miss out on the brith of our child but at least i am based in the U.S. and have a permanent job here. hopefully you get answers.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Hi there,

My husband, who is a British citizen, and I (American citizen) got married in the US on July 7, 2012. We both reside in Madrid, Spain. I mailed his I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox in September and received our NOA1 on October 10, 2012. We have not yet received an NOA2 and have no idea what processing center we will be assigned to (but my permanant US address is in Texas).

Here's where my concern comes in. I found out I was pregnant after filing the I-130 and am currently about 8 weeks pregnant. I'm worried that by the time my husband receives his CR-1 visa with a 30-60 day window to travel to the US, I will be unable to travel before him or with him either because I will be too pregnant to fly (and without having a designated OB in the US) or if it happens soon after birth, the baby will not receive its passport within the timeframe. I also don't think it's very realistic for me to go to the US too early in the pregnancy without knowing when my husband will be able to join me because I have a job in Spain, can't expect to find a new job in the US while visibly pregant and I really don't want for my husband to miss my pregnancy or his child's birth.

I know it is quite early in the process to be worried about this, but the timing seems like it could really make things complicated for us. Is there any way to request an extension of the deadline to enter the US under these circumstances? Has anyone dealt with anything like this?

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Did you list your Madrid address? If so you would be considered a USC filing and leaving abroad and usually they get auto-expedited through USCIS. When you get to NVC you can control the speed in which you are processed if you wanted to wait. As long as you have made contact with NVC within a year of being there your case stays active.

If you wanted to get all the way through to getting Visa you have 6 months to enter the US not 30 to 60 days. So you do have some options. Play it through or you can delay things. Hoep this helps.

[Laurafaye 0]

Could you have missed out on direct consular filing(DCF)? did you indicate ur address in spain in all of the spots on your I-130 and G325 or you used your US address? if spain has DCF then you may have miised out on saving months of delay at the USCIS stage.

I am also 7 weeks pregnant and so understand your concerns. i do not want my husband to miss out on the brith of our child but at least i am based in the U.S. and have a permanent job here. hopefully you get answers.

DFC was not available for us, unfortunately. But yes, I used our address abroad on everything. I only used my US address for where we will reside once my husband is able to enter.

[Laurafaye 0]

Did you list your Madrid address? If so you would be considered a USC filing and leaving abroad and usually they get auto-expedited through USCIS. When you get to NVC you can control the speed in which you are processed if you wanted to wait. As long as you have made contact with NVC within a year of being there your case stays active.

If you wanted to get all the way through to getting Visa you have 6 months to enter the US not 30 to 60 days. So you do have some options. Play it through or you can delay things. Hoep this helps.

It looks like the auto-expedited thing ended. It's been 21 days since our first NOA and still have not received our second. But I didn't realize we would have 6 months to enter the US. I was told 30 to 60 days. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

[dwheels76 5,468]

It looks like the auto-expedited thing ended. It's been 21 days since our first NOA and still have not received our second. But I didn't realize we would have 6 months to enter the US. I was told 30 to 60 days. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

well auto-expedite might not be like lightening quick but suppose to be a little faster than the regular processing. And yes its 6 months from the time you get medical you have to enter the US. If for some reason you needed more time you would consult with the embassy. But yes 6 months. So put those soon to be swollen ankles up and rest easy.

Oh and Congratulations to the soon to be new miracle. All the best to you.

[cathy2904 97]

My husband, who is a British citizen, and I (American citizen) got married in the US on July 7, 2012. We both reside in Madrid, Spain. I mailed his I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox in September and received our NOA1 on October 10, 2012. We have not yet received an NOA2 and have no idea what processing center we will be assigned to (but my permanant US address is in Texas).

The receipt number on your NOA1 will tell you which service centre you are assigned to: WAC is California and EAC is Vermont.

The others are right in that he will have 6 months from the date of the medical in which to enter but there are also plenty of opportunities to slow down the process on the way to the interview if you need to.

Congratulations and good luck.

[Laurafaye 0]

The receipt number on your NOA1 will tell you which service centre you are assigned to: WAC is California and EAC is Vermont.

The others are right in that he will have 6 months from the date of the medical in which to enter but there are also plenty of opportunities to slow down the process on the way to the interview if you need to.

Congratulations and good luck.

Thanks for this info. My receipt number starts with MSC. Do you happen to know what processing center that is?

[Laurafaye 0]

The receipt number on your NOA1 will tell you which service centre you are assigned to: WAC is California and EAC is Vermont.

The others are right in that he will have 6 months from the date of the medical in which to enter but there are also plenty of opportunities to slow down the process on the way to the interview if you need to.

Congratulations and good luck.

Nevermind, I see that it's the Missouri Service Center. That isn't even listed as an option to check processing times at the USCIS website.

[pushbrk 12,824]

Hi there,

My husband, who is a British citizen, and I (American citizen) got married in the US on July 7, 2012. We both reside in Madrid, Spain. I mailed his I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox in September and received our NOA1 on October 10, 2012. We have not yet received an NOA2 and have no idea what processing center we will be assigned to (but my permanant US address is in Texas).

Here's where my concern comes in. I found out I was pregnant after filing the I-130 and am currently about 8 weeks pregnant. I'm worried that by the time my husband receives his CR-1 visa with a 30-60 day window to travel to the US, I will be unable to travel before him or with him either because I will be too pregnant to fly (and without having a designated OB in the US) or if it happens soon after birth, the baby will not receive its passport within the timeframe. I also don't think it's very realistic for me to go to the US too early in the pregnancy without knowing when my husband will be able to join me because I have a job in Spain, can't expect to find a new job in the US while visibly pregant and I really don't want for my husband to miss my pregnancy or his child's birth.

I know it is quite early in the process to be worried about this, but the timing seems like it could really make things complicated for us. Is there any way to request an extension of the deadline to enter the US under these circumstances? Has anyone dealt with anything like this?

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Sounds like you would be wise to delay the visa interview until you are ready to travel. You can simply drag your feet when the case is at the National Visa Center. If it gets there quickly enough, then use the shortcuts and come together ASAP. You can't decide on which option to choose until your petition is approved by USCIS.

[cathy2904 97]

Nevermind, I see that it's the Missouri Service Center. That isn't even listed as an option to check processing times at the USCIS website.

From what I have seen on here recently, some petitions have been routed to MSC to help ease the workload.

Take a look at this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/390565-aug-and-sept-i-130-filers-transfered-to-missouri-nbc/

[Laurafaye 0]

From what I have seen on here recently, some petitions have been routed to MSC to help ease the workload.

Take a look at this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/390565-aug-and-sept-i-130-filers-transfered-to-missouri-nbc/

Thanks. Only time will tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing re: timing. And I'm not sure if what good vs. bad timing means for me! Knowing that we'll have six months rather than 30-60 days is a huge relief, though.

[sms78 18]

It looks like the auto-expedited thing ended. It's been 21 days since our first NOA and still have not received our second. But I didn't realize we would have 6 months to enter the US. I was told 30 to 60 days. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

I don't know who told you that your husband has only 30-60 days....but yes like others said you have a half year.

[Laurafaye 0]

I don't know who told you that your husband has only 30-60 days....but yes like others said you have a half year.

Believe it or not, it was an immigration attorney. I had asked him for tips (he's a boyfriend of a friend), but I think he actually handles different kinds of immigration cases. He also told me that my husband could not travel to the US during the process, but I've recently found out that isn't true either. Thank goodness for Visa Journey. I'm an attorney myself, but I'd be totally lost without VJ's collective wisdom!

[dan_ling 6]

As pushbrk said you can drag your feet on your next stage, if the 6 months is not enough time you can wait a little while before sending in your DS-230, I-864.