Does the petitioner need to stay in the country until the spouse receive his/her visa?

[Dinosaur2013 26]

Hi there! Has anyone experienced processing the CR-1 Visa through USCIS Field Office in Bangkok, Thailand? My spouse who is a US Citizen and currently studying in Thailand for one year (with his proper Thai student visa) is thinking of processing the CR-1 visa for me from Bangkok. However, he has a plan to return to the US in June-July this year to apply for job. We are thus planing to get married in the States (same sex marriage) this May before coming back to submit the petition in Bangkok in early June. My question is does my spouse (US Citizen) has to be in Thailand for the whole period when my visa is being processed? Can he go back to the States after he submitted the petition I-130? Or when is best time for him to go back?

We have sent an email to the USCIS Field Office in Bangkok asking this question but has not received any response from them. We have no idea how long the CR-1 process in Bangkok would take. I am currently working with an international cooperation organisation in Thailand and my employment contract will end at the end of the year.

We truly appreciate any advice, tips and comments from you all.

Many thanks!

[bendinlar 16]

as far as how long it takes for the process to take, ill leave that for someone else, but i do know that it takes a lot less time than filing stateside.

the petitioner does not have to stay in the country through the whole process, they could file in the morning, and fly that afternoon. but it would prolly be a good idea to stick around till its approved, easier to deal with any rfe's that might show up.

[Ning 619]

Hi there! Has anyone experienced processing the CR-1 Visa through USCIS Field Office in Bangkok, Thailand? My spouse who is a US Citizen and currently studying in Thailand for one year (with his proper Thai student visa) is thinking of processing the CR-1 visa for me from Bangkok. However, he has a plan to return to the US in June-July this year to apply for job. We are thus planing to get married in the States (same sex marriage) this May before coming back to submit the petition in Bangkok in early June. My question is does my spouse (US Citizen) has to be in Thailand for the whole period when my visa is being processed? Can he go back to the States after he submitted the petition I-130? Or when is best time for him to go back?

We have sent an email to the USCIS Field Office in Bangkok asking this question but has not received any response from them. We have no idea how long the CR-1 process in Bangkok would take. I am currently working with an international cooperation organisation in Thailand and my employment contract will end at the end of the year.

We truly appreciate any advice, tips and comments from you all.

Many thanks!

The consulate in BKK is divided into working sections. DCF cases are filed with the American services section located in the high rise building across the street from the embassy where the I V section operates. Direct any questions to that section. This is unique because the USC can walk in to speak to them easily. If the questions are directed to another section they may not respond at all.

I believe the USC in this case has met the DCF criteria based on your other posts. This means the case can be filed leaving the USC free to do what they want to prepare for the desired outcome. That would include returning to the USA for job search ect. In fact this may strengthen the case. Of course all of this is based on the successful marriage in the USA if entry is granted.

Any RFE could be easily addressed no matter where the USC is located but if the case is filed correctly there should be no need to worry about this aspect. I certainly wouldn't remain in Thailand simply because I feared responding to an RFE that hasn't entered the situation.

Do not confuse actions by other embassies with those of BKK.

[bendinlar 16]

Well said.

Point being, the USC don't need to stay after the petition is filed.

Not saying an rfe will happen, but on the outside chance.... It may be easier to deal with if the USC is still in the country, think shipping time/expense. Just a personal opinion.

Lots of experience here from at least one person that has been through the process in BKK, and they know EVERYTHING about the process there. So don't be afraid to ask for help, those with experience will be glad to help. And those of us that have experience elsewhere will try to help, based on our experience and the info we have read here.

[Dinosaur2013 26]

Thank you very much to both bendinlar and Ning. You have been very helpful

[Jojo617 1]

I suggest you to prepare I130 together with all related docs and you and have ur USC to file the paper at the USICS bkk, they will consider ur case and will let u know whether u can sumbit i130 @ usics. If they accept i130, the case will be very fast within 3-4 months to get the visa approved. Once ur USC submitted i130, he does bot have to be in bkk anymore. Pls make sure you have ur Usc file papet before he leave bkk as u cannot file i130. It must br usc only. My husband and it submitted the case mid March by the end of mar i got letter to prepare package 3. The dcf is a fastforward visa way if ur usc is qualified for filing dfc. Good luck.