Does it matter where we send our package from?

[mrseaturtle 0]

My wife is a US Citizen and she is the primary sponsor on I-864, and I am a international student on F-1 visa.

We are ready to send our package (I-130 and I-485) but our current situation is a little bit tricky, and I want to ask for some advice.

Due to my education, we are living apart; she is in California, and I'm in Ohio.

We do have a co-signed apartment lease for joint tenancy in California, but not in Ohio where I'm studying.

So, the question is, where should we send the package from?

We first thought California would be better since my wife is the USC and the primary sponsor.

But then we heard immigration offices in CA are slow and picky because there are just too many applicants from the state.

Also, I'd have to fly out there during my study just to go through the biometrics, which could be very costly.

So, we are now leaning towards sending the applications from Ohio.

I don't really see a reason not to other than the fact that my wife does not reside here.

What should we do?

Also, this could be a dumb question but do we have to specify (like in a cover letter?) USCIS where to send the receipt, NOAs, and other letters for us? Or, do they just see where the package came from, and have everything sent there?

Please help us!! Thank you so much.

[raven52 233]

I will just give you my opinion, as I CANNOT, answer all your questions, with what to do with USCIS.

The petitioner is in Calif., to me that is where the paperwork needs to be sent from.

And at least the """BIG""" one for me, personally, "I would stay away from the Vermont Service Center,...,and would lean strongly to the CSC.,.,let me repeat, this is just my opinion, as more ofter than not CSC.,,..,.IS far quicker than VSC.,,.but it changes from time to time, so who knows for sure.

One thing is for sure, I do "think" the address from the petitioner should be used, and endure the expense, as far as you traveling for an interview, my wife and I were just approved AOS.,.,.,.,no interview, no civil surgeon! But, we went through VSC, and was 10 months and 4 days for a K-1.,.,.you have some hard decisions to make, but I wish you the best of luck.,.,.and do what the "experts" on this site suggest to you!

[dens 5]

My wife is a US Citizen and she is the primary sponsor on I-864, and I am a international student on F-1 visa.

We are ready to send our package (I-130 and I-485) but our current situation is a little bit tricky, and I want to ask for some advice.

Due to my education, we are living apart; she is in California, and I'm in Ohio.

We do have a co-signed apartment lease for joint tenancy in California, but not in Ohio where I'm studying.

So, the question is, where should we send the package from?

We first thought California would be better since my wife is the USC and the primary sponsor.

But then we heard immigration offices in CA are slow and picky because there are just too many applicants from the state.

Also, I'd have to fly out there during my study just to go through the biometrics, which could be very costly.

So, we are now leaning towards sending the applications from Ohio.

I don't really see a reason not to other than the fact that my wife does not reside here.

What should we do?

Also, this could be a dumb question but do we have to specify (like in a cover letter?) USCIS where to send the receipt, NOAs, and other letters for us? Or, do they just see where the package came from, and have everything sent there?

Please help us!! Thank you so much.

There was a part of question for petitioner/primary sponsor information on I-130 such as residence domicile, take a look at one more time on instruction(I-130) if what office field address you were to send

[Ryan H 3,834]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum.***

**Moderator hat off**

An I-130 concurrently filed with an I-485 is sent to the lockbox in Chicago; whether you send it from Ohio or California is irrelevant.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Ryan H

[Ketsuban 1,034]

And once it is sent to the Chicago Lockbox, it is quickly checked over to make sure the correct forms are in the package, then sent off to a service center. I'm not sure which ones do Adjustment of Status petitions, but the California one may be one of them. You can't control which service center processes your petition.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Ketsuban

[mrseaturtle 0]

And once it is sent to the Chicago Lockbox, it is quickly checked over to make sure the correct forms are in the package, then sent off to a service center. I'm not sure which ones do Adjustment of Status petitions, but the California one may be one of them. You can't control which service center processes your petition.

does that mean they might make us interview in another state other than ohio and california?

i thought interviews were held near the address written on i-485.. no?

[dropsofvenus 0]

I have the same situation. Except my husband lives in St Louis and I live in Columbus OH. What I did was I used his address for I-130, and my address for all other forms. So I did my biometrics at my local office. After that, I just changed the address on 485, 131, 765 to his address, that way we can have our green card interview in St. Louis.

[mrseaturtle 0]

I have the same situation. Except my husband lives in St Louis and I live in Columbus OH. What I did was I used his address for I-130, and my address for all other forms. So I did my biometrics at my local office. After that, I just changed the address on 485, 131, 765 to his address, that way we can have our green card interview in St. Louis.

Thank you so much. It clarifies a lot!