Is it faster to go through the foreign USCIS or the stateside USCIS?

[195 1]

I have the option to do the I-130 either in Lima or in San Francisco. Traditionally what is faster now that DCF is out of the question? Or are they both the same speed?

Any experience with foreign USCIS offices is appreciated... or if somebody can point me in the right direction about foreign USCIS's.

TIA

[meauxna 15]

I have the option to do the I-130 either in Lima or in San Francisco. Traditionally what is faster now that DCF is out of the question? Or are they both the same speed?

Any experience with foreign USCIS offices is appreciated... or if somebody can point me in the right direction about foreign USCIS's.

TIA

You do NOT have the option to file in Lima, and I-130s are never filed to San Francisco.

Note the special instructions on the I-130 download page (first posted in this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...owtopic=52046):

"Special Instructions for Petitioners Residing Abroad:

Effective January 26, 2007, petitioners abroad must file their petition with a USCIS domestic Service Center. Petitioners filing from abroad are reminded that filing fees must be submitted by check or money order, payable in U.S. funds.

If you reside in: North America, the Caribbean, South America, or Europe, file your I-130 with:

By Mail:

USCIS Vermont Service Center

P.O. Box 500

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

USA

By Courier:

USCIS Vermont Service Center

75 Lower Weldon Street

St. Albans, VT 05479

USA

If you reside in Africa, Asia, Australia or the Pacific, file your I-130 with:

By Mail:

USCIS California Service Center

P.O. Box 10130

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1013

USA

By Courier:

USCIS California Service Center

2400 Avila Road

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607

USA

Petitioners traveling abroad who actually reside in the United States should file their I-130 petitions with the appropriate USCIS Service Center, according to the filing instructions on the form."

[195 1]

Wait so you are telling me that they used to have the option to file in Lima until Jan 26? Because we emailed the consulate on the 24th and they gave us the Lima address to file the petition there. Now it looks like they took that option away?

Someone please clarify.

If we do have to file to that new address, is that still faster than filing it domestically?

Man this is becoming a pain...

[kitkat1 5]

Direct Consular Filing with the consulate in the country was generally the fastest and easiest way to do it. Now that's all gone away and you need to file with USCIS in the US. No way to say how long it will take but if you look at the timelines for the service center you'll be filing with, you'll get a fairly accurate idea. Then it goes to the National Visa Center (add more time) and then to Lima where it depends on how long the wait is for an interview . . . sorry.

[meauxna 15]

Wait so you are telling me that they used to have the option to file in Lima until Jan 26? Because we emailed the consulate on the 24th and they gave us the Lima address to file the petition there. Now it looks like they took that option away?

Someone please clarify.

If we do have to file to that new address, is that still faster than filing it domestically?

Man this is becoming a pain...

*I* am telling you? You posted in the DCF forum and elsewhere that you know DCF ended effective 1/27.

DCF = filing in Lima or elsewhere outside of the US.

There is no 'new' address for you to file at; it looks like you file to Vermont, which is domestic, if you are living in South America.

Had you submitted your petition before the date they cut things off, you would still be in a jumble; those cases are being recalled. The law went into effect July 06 so all cases from that date forward are remaining incomplete until they decide what to do.

I don't see the big pain here. You're not yet married, and you're 5 months out from your preferred marriage date. You have a number of options available to you: Fiancee Visa allows you to start now and move to the US sooner--the spouse options will all require you to be married to begin, so your timeline will count from whenever that happens and will set you "back" by 5 months.