Moving abroad while i-130 pending

[Livesimply 0]

I am a USC and applied i-130 from a US address. I plan to move abroad to live with my husband. I wonder if I can be notified by email or check my case status online to see what further forms they need from me in the future.

Can I call customer service twice per month to check on case status over the phone to see what forms they need from me?

Has anyone done this? Can I provide them the new address that is not a US address?

Please advise b/c I seriously want to move to live with my husband until visa is approved.

Thanks

[makebalayesarr 9]

Yes you can travel abroad anytime and live with your husband until your petition is approved. You can also check the status online but don't expect uscis to send you any approved petition aboard wich weren't DCF filled.

[vegasbound 83]

In regards to your plan, the bigger challenge that you'll face is in the next stage of the application: filing the I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

How are you going to prove domicile if you moved out of the country.

Are you planning to quit your job (assuming you are working right now)?

If so, who will be sponsoring your husband? Do you have a joint sponsor?

The latter 2 questions can be overcome if you have enough savings but the domicile question is a bit more tricky.

[Ning 619]

In regards to your plan, the bigger challenge that you'll face is in the next stage of the application: filing the I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

How are you going to prove domicile if you moved out of the country.

Are you planning to quit your job (assuming you are working right now)?

If so, who will be sponsoring your husband? Do you have a joint sponsor?

The latter 2 questions can be overcome if you have enough savings but the domicile question is a bit more tricky.

Living outside the USA doesn't mean giving up your domicile in the USA.

I suggest the OP maintains an address in the USA then have the docs forwarded as needed.

A break in income can be overcome by showing how and when that income will resume. A co sponsor can be used and may be a good idea if the OP is without income for a long period of time.

My husband lived in Thailand for two years yet had no domicile issues. He had no U S income for at least 18 months so submitted a letter from his employer. We didn't need a co sponsor.

[vegasbound 83]

@OP - It's worthwhile to point out that everyone's case/situation is unique and is evaluated differently so I hope that you can provide further details about your plans and take into consideration the questions that may/may not be applicable to your situation.

[Livesimply 0]

my job allows me to work outside of US, thus I still have income.

I am concern about the forms they will be sending me. Normally, do they let you know on case status online which form they need from you? I can file affidavit of support while I'm outside the country

[Livesimply 0]

Can I provide them the mailing address that is outside of US?

There are members living abroad that filed i-130, how can they follow up with USC that file i-130 abroad?

[aaron2020 11,651]

my job allows me to work outside of US, thus I still have income.

I am concern about the forms they will be sending me. Normally, do they let you know on case status online which form they need from you? I can file affidavit of support while I'm outside the country

Do not rely on the US government to accommodate you. It rarely happens.

The best and most reliable method is have a friend pick up your mail and send you a scan. Alternatively, you could send in a change of address for USCIS and have your friend receive your immigration mail. Do not rely on the US Postal Service to forward government letters. Change your address with USCIS.

[Livesimply 0]

Good idea about scanning the forms. I plan to have a friend do that for me.

I sort of regret sending in my i-130 the traditional way while I could file it with DCF. I heard when u file abroad, it is faster too

Can I refile?

[NikLR 13,232]

Good idea about scanning the forms. I plan to have a friend do that for me.

I sort of regret sending in my i-130 the traditional way while I could file it with DCF. I heard when u file abroad, it is faster too

Can I refile?

To file DCF in most countries they require you to live there, legally, for 6 months. So if you refile, you lose all the time you've already put in, plus all the time waiting for the residence issues associated with DCF (if it's available in the country you're going to be living in, it's not widely available anymore) and then completing everything again.

You can, with difficulty, change your address to one abroad.

[Cathi 5,794]

Good idea about scanning the forms. I plan to have a friend do that for me.

I sort of regret sending in my i-130 the traditional way while I could file it with DCF. I heard when u file abroad, it is faster too

Can I refile?

Yes you can refile assuming the country you would be filing in does DCF, not all do. You will have to be a legal resident of that country for a minimum of 6 months before filing. You will have to withdraw the petition you have pending, become a legal resident there, and file DCF after 6 months. So in the long run at this point it will not be faster. Best to stay on track with your current petition. Best of luck!!!

[Livesimply 0]

Thanks everyone for your responses!!!

[joshrain1 0]

hi, what did you do? and if you changed your address, how did you do that?

USCIS website does not allow change of address outside the US.