Wanting To Apply For CR-1 But No USCIS Office In Australia?

[Jamie06 1]

Hey Guys,

So my partner and i are wanting some help. Quick background story, My partner is from Seattle and I'm from Brisbane, Australia we have been together for just over 2 years and looking at getting married very soon. We just got back from a month trip in America and we have decided we want to move over. My main issue is i have just looked online and there seems to be no USCIS office at all in Australia and it says on the website that "U.S. Embassies and Consulates may only accept I-130 petition filings from petitioners who believe they have exceptional situations that would merit an exception from filing by mail to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox".

Is somebody able to explain what that means? Also is it a fairly lengthy process? I know whats required but would love to hear some success stories.

Thanks very much,

Jamie

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

It means to send application to the Chicago lock box address for your spouse visa

there are no USCIS offices outside the US

and the petitioner is the US citizen / he must do the application for the foreigner

some US embassies accept an applicaiton but it is getting rarer and rarer / originally this was a way to go

Good luck from all of us

[CallMeShams 34]

Hey Guys,

So my partner and i are wanting some help. Quick background story, My partner is from Seattle and I'm from Brisbane, Australia we have been together for just over 2 years and looking at getting married very soon. We just got back from a month trip in America and we have decided we want to move over. My main issue is i have just looked online and there seems to be no USCIS office at all in Australia and it says on the website that "U.S. Embassies and Consulates may only accept I-130 petition filings from petitioners who believe they have exceptional situations that would merit an exception from filing by mail to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox".

Is somebody able to explain what that means? Also is it a fairly lengthy process? I know whats required but would love to hear some success stories.

Thanks very much,

Jamie

As was mentioned, you can get the CR-1 visa. You would mail the form to the address mentioned in the I-130 application. I think the I-130 (part 1 of 3) would be auto expedited since you are living overseas so it could be processed in 1 month, for the NVC stage (part 2 of 3) you could get through here in 2 months, and for the Embassy stage (part 3 of 3) you could have an interview within 2 months of case completion at NVC.

Barring any unexpected events, you could get the CR1 visa in 6 months. I would plan for 6-8 months.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Some examples of USC petitioners living in Australia:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/?p=7636606

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/?p=7268638

[Jamie06 1]

Thanks very much guys for the help. With showing your financial status my partner obviously works here so she wont be able to financially sponsor me in america as she wont be making 20k there so are her parents able to sponsor me?

Thanks

[Kastrs 723]

Thanks very much guys for the help. With showing your financial status my partner obviously works here so she wont be able to financially sponsor me in america as she wont be making 20k there so are her parents able to sponsor me?

Thanks

Her parents can be cosponsors. Also, if your fiance is living with you in Australia, she will need to reestablish domicile as part of the process.

[Jamie06 1]

Her parents can be cosponsors. Also, if your fiance is living with you in Australia, she will need to reestablish domicile as part of the process.

What exactly do you mean by reestablish? She has an address there (her parents) which we can use?

[Kastrs 723]

If her address currently is Australia, as in she has been there longer than a visit, she will need to establish her intent to return to the US, there are many things she can do in support of this

it would be helpful for you to read a few threads on domicile, just search for this using the search tool on this site (Use a computer)

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Domicile

Please note, if the petitioner lives with the beneficiary abroad, you'll need to provide proof of US domicile, as well as bring it with you to the interview. Please read the I-864 instructions (pages 3 and 4) for information about it. This is NOT needed if the petitioner is living in the US. Here is a sample cover letter to include in the package (it lists MANY possible documents, some may not be applicable, of course, to prove that you have, or will re-establish, domicile in the US):

NAME

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Form I-864

Part 4, Question 5: Country of Domicile

I, XXXX, am currently residing in FOREIGN COUNTRY with my spouse, SPOUSE'S NAME. Below you will find a list of attached documents to show that my principal residence is in the US and the steps that I have taken to return to the US with my family.

Steps I have taken to maintain US Domicile:

• Maintained my XXXX voter registration

• Maintained my XXXX credit card registered in the US with a US PO box

• Maintained my bank account at the XXXX Credit Union

• Maintained my bank account at XXXX Bank

• Maintained my XXXX drivers license

• Maintained my US retirement fund through XXXX

• Maintained my US investment account with XXXX

• Maintained my US PO box

• Maintained licensure by the XXXX

• Maintained membership in the XXXX

• Maintained my automobile in care of my parents

Supporting Documents for the above steps I have taken:

• Voter registration card showing permanent US address

• XXXX credit card statement showing US billing address

• XXXX Credit Union statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX Bank statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX drivers license showing permanent US address

• Retirement fund statement showing permanent US address

• Mutual fund statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX license currently up to date

• Renewal of XXXX membership

• County tax bill showing I still own a vehicle

Steps I have taken to return to the US to take up residence:

• Made arrangements for us to have a house to live in

• Contacted schools for requirements of things to bring to register my children in school

• Contacted my auto insurance company to find out about re-instating my insurance on my car

• Contacted shipping company for estimate of costs to ship belongings

Supporting documents for the above steps I have taken:

• Lease agreement for our house

• Email from schools regarding registration requirements

• Email from my former auto insurance company regarding my inquiry

• Email from XXXX with estimate and correspondence regarding shipping our belongings

I declare that I intend in good faith to re-establish my domicile in the United States no later than the date of spouse's admission into the US.

I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the statements in this letter and all accompanying evidence are true and correct.

Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: ______________________

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process#Step_6_-_Gather_AOS_Package

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/488856-requesting-help-with-domicile-issue/

[JFH 12,191]

Please note that it is considered immigration fraud to enter as a visitor with the intention of using Adjustmrnt of Status to immigrate. If people want yo do that, what can we do (except advise strongly against it) but to recommend or encourage it is not what we are here for.

[milimelo 4,572]

~One post advocating immigration fraud hidden. The offending member will get admin action if he continues to advocate immigration fraud.~

VJ mod

[milimelo 4,572]

~Post quoting removed post removed. ~