Living in Russia, questions about I-130

[thegiraffestripe 0]

Hey!

I'm a new member here. I'm an American and have been teaching English in Stavropol, Russia for the past two years.

My wife, Katya, and I were married on March 27 this year, and now we're filling out the necessary forms for a CR-1. We've been living together for over a year, and dating for about a year and a half.

My questions are:

1. I have a work visa in Russia and am registered and all that, but I don't have a permanent residence (other than my parents' house, which I suppose I could list) in America yet. Should I list my parents' place as a residence? I'm moving back to the States on June 19, and will find a place to live then. Do I have to wait?

2. I don't have a job in America yet, either. Like I said, I'm moving back on June 19. I have a salary in Russia and it meets the poverty guidelines; is that sufficient?

3. The "proof of a real marriage" thing is a little strange. We don't own any property together (we rent), and we don't have a car (public transport) and finding a paperwork trail in Russia is a little more difficult than one would think. How/where does one get the necessary affidavit forms for third-party sources? The embassy?

This whole thing looks scary and Kafka-esque. Is it as bad as it seems?

[malamaja 1]

Hey! Welcome. This site is a great source of information and reassurance.

We went through something similar recently. My husband (the USC) has been living abroad for the last 7 years. We lodged the I-130 at the start of February and we filled all documents with Australia as his residential address. In the cover letter, we indicated that he will be moving back once my visa gets approved as we do not want to get separated.

There is also speculation, that USC that live and lodge from abroad might get a slightly quicker processing treatment. Again, could be speculation, wishful thinking, luck, coincidence. Who knows.

There is a long thread on this so might be worth your while to read it. Since you fall into this bucket.

In any case, good luck!

Edited April 3, 2013 by malamaja

[izabela 10]

Hey! I hope this helps:

1. If you've been living in Russia for over six months, you can do direct consular filing (DCF) and list your address in Russia. It is usually faster. You will then need to prove you intend to reestablish domicile in the USA once it comes to the affidavit of support.

2. Your income in Russia will not count for the affidavit of support, as it will discontinue once you move back to the States. You will either have to find a job in the US which pays enough to meet the poverty guidelines or you will need a co-sponsor (maybe your parents).

3. As of the evidence, you can send pictures, proof that you were living together in Russia and such things. I wouldn't worry about the third party affidavits, they are not too reliable anyways.

Good luck

Edited April 3, 2013 by izabela